Get it Moving: 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Town Sedan

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Of all the vehicles in Chevrolet’s 1940 Master series, the Town Sedan was their high-volume seller. In a year that marked the production of the 25-millionth Chevrolet vehicle, the Town Sedan managed to sell 205,910 cars. This Town Sedan has probably seen better days, but apart from the wheels, it does look like it is a largely complete car that is begging to be restored. Located in Genoa, Illinois, it is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner is looking at an asking price of $5,250 OBO for this classic, pre-war Chevrolet. He also appears to be a person who is keen to get this old girl moving again.

Originally finished in Traverse Green, the Chevrolet now has a healthy coating of surface corrosion which has slowly devoured that original paint. The car is also missing the front bumper, but it does appear to otherwise be complete. The owner doesn’t make any references to rust issues and looking inside the car, there is not only a fair coating of corrosion right across the floors, but it looks like the floor on the driver’s side may have been the recipient of some pretty amateur repair work.

The interior of the Town Sedan has seen better days, and a full restoration inside the car is also on the cards. Apart from a missing door trim on the driver’s side, it does look as though it is complete. For the 1940 model year, the list of optional equipment available for the Master series was not particularly long, but the original owner has certainly picked some interesting items. The cigar lighter was one of these, and it is still present. That’s something of a miracle, as these have tended to disappear over the years. The factory radio was another optional item, and this one is not only still present, but it looks to also be in pretty decent condition. About the only other optional item was a clock, and it doesn’t appear that this car has ever been fitted with one of those.

Powering the Master Deluxe is a 206ci straight-six engine, producing 85hp. Backing this is a 3-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted, vacuum controlled, shifter. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the engine starts or runs, but judging by the plastic bottle in the photo, it looks like at least some attempt has been made to kick this old girl into life. That would also tend to suggest that the engine turns freely, so maybe it won’t take that much to bring the car back from what appears to have been an extended slumber.

Of the previously mentioned 205,910 Town Sedans sold by Chevrolet in 1940, 143,125 were the Master Deluxe version. That means that when new, these were not a rare car by any stretch of the imagination. Today, the challenge isn’t so much finding one, because there are plenty of examples to be found for sale at present. The challenge is finding one that is still original. The Town Sedan has been fairly popular amongst street rodders, and when you look at what is available for sale, custom and modified cars out-number original cars by a ratio of around 20:1. An immaculately restored example can be found for around the $27,000 mark today, which isn’t huge money. However, if this car does turn out to be a solid one, then it is possible that when it is fully restored not only will it be a really nice car, but it might even be a decent investment.

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Comments

  1. JBP

    But that car isnt worth 5000$.
    I think 1500$ fits better

    Like 7
  2. HydTech

    It’s missing more than the trim on the door, the whole door panel is gone.

    Like 0
  3. Johnmloghry Johnmloghry

    Needs a lot of work. Check out the hood hold down, classic bungee strap. But it does appear to have been equipped with factory radio. I wouldn’t pay the asking price, but perhaps $2500
    God bless America

    Like 0
  4. TimM

    I agree JPB!! It’s got to be bought at a better price than that since everything needs to be addressed!!!

    Like 0
  5. James Martin

    Any one notice that the under 2000 dollar cars are now 5000 dollars? I got it inflation. But more than double, I dont think so. Come our of the rafters and bring it to reality. Nice starter, but not for 5gs. And it’s a 2 door sedan not a coupe. Owned a 41 coupe back in the day. Cool look to these old chevys.

    Like 0
  6. don

    It looks solid, and I hate to say this, but I’ll bet if it get sold it will end up as a street rod

    Like 0
  7. Jimmy Novak

    With everything this Master Deluxe needs, someone decided that incorrect wheels became the immediate priority??

    Like 1

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