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.
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