From one of my favorite dealers in Portland, Oregon, comes this wonderful, well-documented 1941 Ford “Opera” coupe with only 48,200 original miles. The recipient of three Rouge awards attesting to its originality, this coupe can be found at Matthews Memory Lane Motors. It is priced at $20,500. Ordered radio- and heater-delete, it runs and drives well. But what exactly is an “Opera” coupe? Turns out the nomenclature is a matter of ongoing debate, with the arguments mired in definitions of coupe, five-window coupe, and business coupe.
Ford substantially restyled its product line for 1941. Running boards were nearly completely absorbed into the body. Headlamp nacelles melted into the front fenders. The grille was given wings on either side of a central waterfall. These elements emphasized the new external width at over 73″, up from 69.5″ in ’40. The car was longer, the A-pillars were thinner, the rear window was a single piece of broader, curved glass. Trim levels included De Luxe and Super De Luxe. Both were offered in coupe body styles, and as stated in this brochure, each was available “with or without auxiliary folding seats.” Ford never used “Opera” to describe a coupe offered with folding seats. However, the coupe body parts manual described the seats as an “opera assembly” in several places, lending that verbiage to the car itself.
Ford’s 221 cu. in. flathead V8 was standard in the De Luxe. This engine was first introduced in 1932; back then, output was 65 hp. Rapid development, including a transition from poured Babbitt bearings to inserts in mid-1936, a shift from 21 studs to 24, and a gradual increase in compression ratio that hiked output to 90 hp resulted in a modernized engine suitable for the updated Ford. The transmission is a three-speed manual.
With its original upholstery and faux wood-grain dash still in great condition, we can see how the De Luxe differs from a Super De Luxe: no horn ring, no driver’s door armrest, no clock, no crank on the dash vent. But here’s the money shot, showing those rear fold-up seats. The car’s trunk is as spiffy as the rest of the vehicle.
The graceful lines of the coupe put it head and shoulders above most other body styles of the era. The market has favored these Fords for a few decades, at the same time that resto-rods have become popular; consequently, finding an original example is tough. Scanning offerings in the market turns up very few ’41s at all, and only a couple of coupes – all of which are priced higher than this one. Given its condition, survivor status, and running condition, this Ford is almost irresistible at the price.
I hope people don’t tire of my, “gone off to war and didn’t come back” references, we can’t forget that, not on my watch, anyway. This, however I don’t think was one of those. I wager this is a nice job of a light restoration on a seldom used car. Steering wheel the key. The Optima 6V battery and tarp straps are a nice touch( cough), I mean, really, come on. You’ll notice a feature here, that lay dormant for what, 30 years? The locking steering column, new for ’41, did any others have that? I also read, the “Opera coupe” was essentially a business coupe with the rear jump seats, but I doubt this car had any sales person history. Just a beautiful car, automatic/stick blarney still enforced, but they don’t come any nicer than this.
Radio/heater delete meant for standard equipment deletion but these weren’t standard equipment. They were just uninstalled accessories.
This is an absolutely beautiful Ford. I enjoyed your write up along with the changes the famous Ford Flathead V8 went through in the 30’s. All for the better too. To see one this original, and this well preserved, I’d be hesitant to drive it, but because I wouldn’t want to, but just to not chance anything happening to it. This car, hard to believe is almost 85 years old. This one certainly does not look its age at all. I enjoyed your write up Michelle!! Thank you.
-Dave