In the eyes of prewar V-8 Ford collectors, 1932 and 1940 are the most desirable years. The classic looks of each of those models tend to eclipse others in popularity. While nearly all years have their attributes, 1941 Fords have been regarded as ugly ducklings by some. The styling differences between 1940 and 1941 are vast, and the difference in value between the two years is evidence of that. 1941s just don’t bring anywhere near 1940 money. However, that means there are bargains out there for those of us who love all prewar Fords equally. An example of this theory would be this 1941 Ford club coupe, found on craigslist in Mt. Clinton, Virginia. While a 1940 Ford coupe in this condition would be worth nearly $30,000, this 1941 version can be had for a mere $9,000.
As usual, this craigslist ad is light on details and photographs. The good news is that we can learn a lot by analyzing the photographs. There were three trim levels in 1941, and they were Special, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe. This car is a Super Deluxe. You can tell by the badging (duh!), chrome trim on the horizontal line separating the upper and lower two piece fender, and the chromed lower grilles. Special DeLuxes usually had Flathead V-8s under the hood, but a new for 1941 inline six could be special ordered. Some enthusiasts believe the inline six is a better engine, but that would be sacrilegious to the flock as a whole. Other changes for that year included a two inch increase in the wheelbase and a widening of the body to give passengers more room inside.
Looking at the car in the photographs, it appears to be an older restoration. The battleship gray paint looks serviceable, and the chrome and stainless trim pieces are all present and in good shape. We can see a bedsheet or something covering the front sheet, so the interior is in question. LeBaron Bonney and Mac’s Ford Parts both carry interior kits for this car, and they each have a cheaper line of fabrics if authenticity isn’t as important as price. As long as the engine, transmission, and rear end are in good shape, a decent Ford mechanic could probably have this one running and driving in a day. That is if it doesn’t have any problems. Too bad the seller doesn’t help much in his description.
At an asking price of just $9,000, I guess the seller is letting the condition and price do the talking. Ford made a lot of changes in the years leading up to the war. The biggest change was the addition of hydraulic brakes in 1939. Additional changes over the next few years made the cars handle better and passenger comfort became a more prominent goal for engineers. The basic engineering behind the 1941 models carried the company all the way to 1948. Production was halted in early 1942 for the war, and restarted in 1946 with basically the same car except for a few styling changes. In all, they were really good cars for the time, and a better car to drive and own than the coveted 1940 models. They just didn’t have the good looks.
One of the plusses of owning a Ford of this era is the incredible amount of support available to owners. The Early Ford V-8 Club provides a great magazine, restoration books, and a network of local clubs to assist owners. Aftermarket companies carry nearly every part you need mechanically, and quite a few body parts. Finally, internet forums such as The Ford Barn are a treasure trove of information about rebuilding every single part on the car. For $9,000, this car is a bargain for anyone who wants a reliable, stylish prewar coupe that could substitute for your daily driver on occasion. Even if it is a bit of an ugly duckling next to a 1940 Ford, driving one will help you to see the swan inside.
“Listing has expired.” DRAT!
Someone else thought it a bargain, too….
Even though it’s gone, I find it amazing, a’41 Ford coupe that was NOT turned into a gasser. I can’t remember ever seeing a stock one. Hmm, son of a gun. Got “flipper” written all over it.
Really nice 1941 car. I often wonder what it was like to buy one, go home, turn on the radio and learn that production of civilian cars had just been suspended for the war effort.
Woo hoo! I would be singing the old song “I Got Mine”, just a bit paraphrased.
I got mine, lemme tell ya, I got mine
I grabbed those keys and out that front door, I went flyin’
Actually, I read, the civilian car ban went into effect February 1, 1942, so this car probably was a year old by then, but the folks that got a ’42,( Ford pushed it to Feb. 10th) were probably saying that.
I stand corrected, bowing to your car knowledge. Now imagine someone with a early, or even earlier, to mid-30’s car suddenly realizing they were going to be stuck with whatever heap they were driving until the war ended. Tough times. Mechanics must have been real popular.
By December of 1941, the 1942 models were on sale. The ’42 Ford is substantially better looking than the ’41, though nothing beats the ’47-’48 models with the round parking lamps under the headlamps.
Hi David, does the boss know you’re hanging out here? Better be careful what I say,,,I enjoy your contributions on “Daily”.
that’s your opinion dave, I think the 41’s look cool. the 42’s 46, 47 and 48’s look all squared off and have a heavy front end, just my opinion and yours. they are are cheaper and have more 3 pass business coupes available
…and again you guys and gals are tired of hearing from me. I must have one of everything. I have a barn fine with 13K original miles in a 40ft. storage container at my home in California. When I bought it the vehicle was in pieces supposively a thief back in the 40’s in a barn in Arizona. Put it together and really looks pretty nice. Paid $2500 for it and counting my knuckle blood it’s now priceless. But I’m a old man and have 23 others needing attention and a wife that says get another one get a lawyer to go along with it.
I’d tell her to go get a lawyer, get some balls man……all she did was do the dishes and laundry……
This is “Battleship Grey?” Looks more blue to me. Someone’s already snapped it up.
Riiigght 9k. 3 more in a well appointed man cave. No one wants dad’s old cars? Ok dump em on CL. Most likely a send money to someone ad and cars do not exist
A super deal, somebody really got a great buy, I am just disappointed it wasn’t me!
We would have had a bidding war over it.
Beautiful and affordable! Good luck to the new owner, Hope it gets into the hands of someone who appreciates the beauty and condition!
The ‘41 was definitely out there by itself. My dad was 16 in ‘41 and my grandpa had a new ‘41 Super Deluxe sedan. Dad always wanted to know what it was like to go 100 mph in a car. Apparently Dad and his buddy succeeded, in Grandpa’s car. Dad said he never had the desire after that. Interesting to note that in ‘41, even before the Americans entered the war, the production lines got altered considerably. War specifications called for a six cylinder engine, which is likely the ONLY reason Henry agreed to introduce a six. Production of a six ramped up quickly (I heard/read) and compromised the V8 line. Demand for the larger (Mercury) engine for the larger trucks was also high. So Ford produced the larger bore blocks and sleeved them down an eighth of an inch. I’ve run into a lot of ‘41/‘42 engines with sleeves. Knock them out and you’ve got an instant 239.
no, get your facts straight, edsel wanted henry to introduce the 6 to compete in a lower price class for people that couldn’t afford a regular ford. henry said the v-8 is the only engine needed but edsel prevailed, that’s the STORY.
Battleship grey??? Where it looks blue to me
A note to the (obviously) American writer of this article—a 1940 Ford isn’t a “prewar car”, WWII having started in sept of 1939, and all…
Actually it is, because Americans consider December 7, 1941 as the beginning of the war. Generally speaking, the post-war era began with the 1946 models. You could call this car a “war car,” but no one does.
It may have expired but there are at least two if not three more cars in that building.