As world events looked increasingly sketchy going into the 1940s, Ford would introduce an all-new automobile lineup for 1941. In Special, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe trim, the cars would carry over into 1942 and then things went on hiatus until after World War II. This 1941 Deluxe looks like a sold barn find though little is known about the car’s history. Located near Roanoke, Virginia, this old classic will need restoring but is mostly solid and largely complete. The Ford is available here on craigslist for $2,500. Hats off to T.J. for another neat find!
The new 1941 Fords were popular and overall production would top 691,000 units. Of that, the middle model, the Deluxe, saw 255,00 units head out the door. Of those, 177,000 copies were the 6-passenger Tudor which might be what the seller’s car is. 3 and 4-passenger versions were also built but in much smaller numbers. Standard in the Deluxe and Super Deluxe was Ford’s 221 cubic-inch flathead V8 which output 90 hp. The company also had a 239 V8 but that was reserved for Mercury products.
1941 Fords were an evolution of their predecessors. For example, the front fenders now came in two or three pieces with the logic being that small damages could be replaced easier and cheaper that way. Production stopped in early 1942 and wouldn’t resume until 1946, so pre-war and post-war Fords were not very different. The post-war focus was on getting another round of new Fords ready for 1949.
While we’re told the frame and body panels on this car are good, the blue paint is fading and peeling and may indicate a redo at some point. Some work, however, will be needed on the floorboards which have attracted some corrosion. Three of the glass panes are broken but what we can see of the interior might have salvageable portions. The carburetor is missing so a new one will be needed to try coaxing the V8 back to life. Depending on where you’re located, the dealer may entertain making a delivery since the car is already on a trailer.
Certainly a better car than the red Corvette. What you see here is a solid car with all it’s parts with peeling lacquer paint over red oxide primer. The old red oxide primer has saved many a car from surface rust. Either way you go this looks like it could be a fun project.
It might be irrational but I have a soft spot for the ‘41.
The flipper trailer picture does it no flavors but it could be a sweet cruiser when done.
Solid body. An oiled rag and indigo blue will work great.
It is a very happy model.
Oh when I was a wee little lad riding in the back seat of my daddy’s big sedan, how I remember the feeling of euphoria when we crested a hill, and the hot summer days or the cold wet winters riding in a car with no heat or a/c. The back seat seamed huge to my brother and me as we would slide from side to side crashing into each other and laughing or fighting all along the way. The car was not a Ford like this one but a huge 7 passenger 39 Dodge sedan, but the experience was the same. Oh those were great times growing up in the early 50’s, people had a different outlook on life, after wwii. Excitement was in the air even if you were born after the war like me, everyone I knew loved life, we didn’t shoot up our schools, they were places where all our friends came together to learn and play. This old car sure brings up good memories for me, it’s a time gone by and never to return, but ownership of a car like this will surely make for good times to the new owner.
God Bless America
I had the coupe while in High School (one of many) and it was a dang good car. it had been converted with a “51 Mercury engine and a ’39 Ford floor shift transmission. I drove it for a while and sold it for a nice profit. One of the cars in my past I wish I still had. Oh it had a ’50 model Olds radio which in that day and time was a wonderful asset.
This 1941Ford needs some work but overall is in decent shape compared to some of the rust-buckets on this site!!!
So if someone tries to sell u 44 model, they don’t know what they are talking about
My second car (1956 time-frame) was a ’41 standard tudor – one windshield visor, one ash tray, no radio, no clock, and about one horsepower, bought from a neighbor who got it from Army surplus. It had totally faded OD paint that I never got to show any polish despite hours of effort. It also came with Henry’s first six-cylinder engine and slower than your standard glacier, AND, it got truly horrible gas mileage…Sold it after several months of ridicule from my peers in high school, and got a ’39 coupe to move back into the mainstream.