Yeah baby, it’s old school hot-rod time! Instead of something like a Ford Deuce Coupe with Chevy power, we have an old Chevy with later Chevy V8 power in the form of this 1941 Special Deluxe, located in Wichita, Kansas and available here on craigslist for $7,000. Thanks to Ikey H. for the tip!
Early ’40s Chevy sedans are like most other cars produced in the immediate pre-war years, pretty staid. Ford had the engineering advantage with its flathead V8. Chevrolet soldiered on with their tried and true 216 CI inline six-cylinder engine that was good for 90 HP. Chevy offered several different body styles in ’41 and our subject vehicle is the Special Deluxe two-door sedan – appropriate for hot-rod modification.
The cool factor with this Chevy is under the hood, it appears to be a late ’60s 327 CI V8 which the seller claims is a Corvette engine. He doesn’t specify exactly which Corvette engine it is but the non-vented breather tube puts it at about a ’68 vintage. Unfortunately, this is another one of those, “have not tried to start it but the engine turns over by hand” situations. So, no, it’s not running and there’s a red flag – why wouldn’t you try to start it? This Chevy is equipped with a three-speed manual transmission, no word on its viability.
The seller tells us that this Special Deluxe, “does have some rust but not bad for a 78-year-old car, floorboards appear to be solid”. I’m not exactly sure what part of the structure we’re looking at here but I’m seeing problematic rust and I would imagine there’s quite a bit more. Not really a big deal for a converted hot-rod but it could be if it’s really extensive and affects overall integrity; “does have some rust” is open to interpretation.
The body appears to be pretty solid and straight but there is quite a bit of surface rust visible – again, not a big issue for a hot-rod conversion providing that it isn’t any worse than what’s visible in the images. There are extra parts like fender skirts, bumper extensions/guards and a visor that are included in the sale.
The interior looks pretty shot. There is a lot of surface rust and what appears to be the original, worn upholstery. True to form, the back seat is photographed with lots of detritus placed about, the headliner is falling out and the door cards look like they have gone missing. It does have a “Drag’N Tach” installed where the clock once resided, however.
Well, it needs a lot of work, regardless of which way the new owner wants to go. Completely stock is a more difficult way to go due to the engine swap. A ’41 street sleeper is possible – leave it stock looking with the ‘Vette engine up and running or go for a full-on, back-in-the-day, hot rod treatment. Which way would you go?
It is a common enough car that is still around in enough numbers to make it open to any direction.
For me, I think I’d want to go the Mad Max route. Larger truck tires, beefed up drive train, grates over the windows, external armor plates in spots, hand rails, spikes, gun mounts, possibly a small turret. Missile or rocket tube launchers, lots of off road lights, chains, hooks. Exhaust stacks. Paint all black and weather to dusty post apocalyptic conditions.
And a single Hello Kitty sticker on the bumper.
I’d try to bring the V8 back to life, take care of the rust issues, give it a fresh coat of paint and restore the interior. Keep it looking stock but with a more lively exterior color. Lots of work here, though; you’ll have to refresh/restore pretty much everything but it does appear to be complete. Definitely upgrade the brakes, too. If you can get it cheap enough, it would be worth it.
Going with the FordGuy but add an upgraded suspension to his list. This era of cars on through the ’50s and ’60s handled about as bad as could be imagined. If you weren’t going straight down the road you were already close to a wreck.
Thought this was a post of my car! Last spring I gave a ’41 Special Deluxe to one of my nephew’s. I had gotten it as a parts car for my ’41 Special Deluxe 4 door, took some of the original parts off but the rest was way too nice to completely part out. He has since installed a Ford Explorer rear axle with disc brakes, front discs and is in the process of installing a 5.3 and automatic from a 2000s GM pickup. Makes me feel good to see someone getting pleasure, learning hot rodding, and involving his 2 young sons in learning some mechanical skills. Plus, it makes letting go of one of my toys, seeing it get back on the road, a lot easier. Win,win,win situation.
My Dad’s first new car, a 41 Chevy convertible. Beige with Maroon interior. Had a picture of him with car years ago. Was in Jeans and white T-shirt and a pack of cigarettes rolled under sleeve. Was in Gardena, Calif. Bought in 1942