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Seventy Seven And Original: 1940 Chrysler Royal 4 Door

Cars were evolving rapidly as improvements were invented and developed. Often, cars were not only restyled every year or two, they were often completely redesigned. Although the Royal was Chrysler’s entry level car, it was completely redesigned about every 2 years. You can really follow the changes in the advertisements. For example, for the 1940 Royal, the wheelbase was lengthened and the passenger compartment sat ahead of the rear axle instead of over it. Chrysler advertised “easy entry doors with no fender cutouts to soil your clothes as well as “away from the bouncing rear axle.” This Royal is listed on eBay in Rockaway, New Jersey for $2,700 or best offer. It runs, is very complete and looks solid with mostly surface rust. Pictures of the interior would be nice, but all there is is a picture of the speedometer. We can only guess what it might be like inside.

Take a look at this hood. The poor fit and mismatched paint make this odd looking feature stand out. It’s the front mount point for the two piece butterfly hood. This model, the 1940 and 1941 were the last year for the two piece hood.

It looks complete and mostly original under the hood. That’s the 240 CID “Speedking” with about 110 horsepower. It runs but apparently needs a carburetor rebuild.

The running boards were optional in 1941, so they could be discarded. There’s a small hole in the floor that will need repair as well as the trunk floor and spare tire well. It will need the usual mechanical restoration as well as new tires. Some might sand, clear coat and call it patina. How original would you keep it? The interior could be a rodent infested smelly chewed up mess or it might not be bad in there. Does it like look like a promising project? Do you think it might stay original or is it destined to be another rat rod or resto mod?

Comments

  1. Avatar Marvin Granger

    I’d make everything work. Go with black walls and O.D. paint , make a staff car out of it.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Jim Marston

    The engine was called a Spitfire not a Speed king .

    Like 0
    • Avatar DrinkinGasoline

      For 1940, the Royal engine was the Speedking. For 1941, the Royal engine was the Spitfire.

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    • Avatar Jim Marston

      If you look carefully on the cylinder head in the photo you can see Spitfire

      Like 0
      • Avatar DrinkinGasoline

        You are correct Jim…It does have Spitfire casting.
        I wonder if it’s a late production 40 with an early 41 engine ? I had a 40 coupe with the Speedking. Strange years during 40 & 41 due to the war.
        My father had a 41 with the Vacamatic trans.

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  3. Avatar David Montanbeau

    Mine is a 1940 Chrysler New Yorker with a flat head 8 and OD trans. Under construction.

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  4. Avatar David Montanbeau

    Spitfire head with hi performance intake and exhaust.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Tommy D

    ….and became the dodge royal in ’55

    Like 0
  6. Avatar MDW66

    Now I can’t get The Ramones out of my head. Thanks Barn Finds!

    Like 0

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