Here’s a neat discovery, it’s definitely a barn find and this 1939 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe is a two-door sedan as opposed to the usually found four-door – it seems that examples with only two are more popular. Said to have been parked for 61 years, the seller acquired it three years ago and now he wants to move it on. It’s located in Indianola, Iowa and is available, here on craigslist for $5,000. Pat L. gets the credit for this find!
This old sedan definitely has that Eau du barn about it – plenty of dust, surface rust, rust-through, and dents, though the interior looks like it’s yet to become a mouse house. The seller adds, “The floor(s) are good very little rust. the only rust is in the rear under rear bumper mounts/grommets and right side running board. You can stand on the running boards on both sides, still very strong“. Cars of this era have a tendency to take it on the chin, so to speak, really more like taking it in the grille, but this Chevy’s front piece looks straight.
There is essentially no image of the 85 HP, 216 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine and we’re getting that old saw, “I was told it ran when it was parked“. He further adds that the motor is “loose” which I guess means not seized and he also says, “I have never tried to start it“. There’s an odometer reading of 49K miles but whether it’s authentic or not is unsaid and that being the case, the engine’s condition is a coin toss.
The mohair interior actually shows pretty well. As stated earlier, there’s no indication of rips, tears, wear, or rodent ruination but admittedly, the images aren’t very comprehensive. The most obvious detraction is the steering wheel as it is missing some chunks. There’s one image of the instrument panel and it looks, at a distance, OK, but again it’s not a terribly revealing image.
As with most manufacturers of this era, there was no shortage of body styles. This subject is officially known as a “Master DeLuxe Town Sedan” but other two-door models included the Master DeLuxe Business Coupe, a Master DeLuxe Coach, and a Master DeLuxe Four Passenger Coupe. And of course, there were four-door sedans and station wagons too. As for total production, Chevrolet was number one in ’39 with 577K units, about 90K copies ahead of number two Ford.
So, what to do here, stock restore, hot-rod, restomod, or just a fix this old Chevy up a bit and and use it as is? It seems like there’s a lot here to work with, which direction would you take this Master DeLuxe sedan?
After owning one identical to this car with the idea of putting an Oldsmobile engine and transmission in it, and tripping over two more beautiful street rods that I didn’t buy, if I was in the market I would finish my original dream of a ’39 street rod with this solid car.
This one was on here a month or two ago.
Yes, yes, yes, you are correct! It was supposed to be weeded out but wasn’t. Thx for reading a second time.
JO
61 years since ’61 (when it was parked). Nice koinkidink.
Just for fun, let’s talk about 1939. War clouds were looming, but still pretty far away, I’d have to think 1939 was still good times in the US. We look at this car and think pretty basic, and it is, but for 1939, this was pretty special. I read, this car cost $713 bucks new, almost $15 grand today! The average wage for a common worker, that this car would attract, was,,,FORTY-THREE CENTS/ hour, or about $9 bucks/hour today. Not unlike a fast food worker today buying a $15,000 car. Back then, it was unheard of. So this car would have been a major purchase for someone then. I think the war changed a lot, people had better jobs and a car purchase was more common, but it’s hard to think, not everyone could have the luxury of a car. For the most part, it wasn’t needed, but the 50’s changed all that.
Not sure about projects like this anymore. I’d have to think the steam has fizzled on street rods, and what good is this car without some modern motor and updates? Today, not much, sadly.
By late 1939 the rest of the world was already at war so it was a case of enjoy the time while they had it … Great car all the same
Semi-restore it… but not a “Trailer Betty”. You know… fix a few panels, secure the rust (pour 15), Upgrade the driveline, brakes and suspension. Maybe just clean the interior to remove funky smells and mildew. Then enjoy this little gem to your hearts content!! I believe these old cars have a soul and need adopting much like an abused dog or cat. Wish I could adopt this one…
Keep it original. Repair what needs to be repaired, then fresh paint. It would be a shame to modify it when they are rather rare of this vintage.
I had a similar car that I got to play with for three or four summers. It was a 1938 Pontiac 4 door. So much room in that back seat. It had a banjo steering wheel. But the steering wheel on this Chevrolet is pretty cool, too.
at one time i had all models of 39 chevies except farm truck then city anxet us in and had to liecense them so ended up selling them really made me sick the coupe and sedan delivery only got 150.00 each the rest less
at one time i had all models of the 39 chevy except the farm truck then the dang city anexed