SOLID ENTRY-LEVEL, PRE-WAR ANTIQUE, ALL-STEEL & STOCK, STOVEBOLT SIX, 3-SPEED!!

1940 Chevrolet Deluxe Description

Auto technology was improving by leaps and bounds in the 1930s, and to see how far they came, one need only look at this lovely 1940 Chevrolet Deluxe coupe. Evolving from a simple car with mechanical brakes, rigid axles, and upright bodies, by 1940 cars like this nicely restored Chevy offered a thoroughly modern driving experience. If you haven't owned one of these, you're definitely in for a treat!Styling was freshened for 1940, giving the Chevys an all-new look, although everything from the firewall back was carry-over. The headlights were starting to merge into the fenders and streamlining was all the rage. Finished in basic black, this Chevy has a familiar look because it was probably the most popular color of the time and if your grandparents had a new Chevy in the '40s, it probably looked like this. This one is also extremely straight and clean, with no trouble spots hiding underneath. The restoration was done a few years ago, but is holding up extremely well thanks to care from an enthusiastic owner. Affordable coupes just aren't supposed to look this good, and you'll enjoy the details ranging from the bullet-shaped hood ornament to the flush-mounted taillights out back, and it's obvious that GM designers were hitting on all cylinders when these cars were built. The chrome is in very good condition, and all the stainless offers a matching shine, giving the car a look that belies its humble origins. And check out the accessory back-up lights that were built into the body, a first for GM, as well as the jaunty red stripes on the bumpers.For those of us used to "personal coupes" today, this Chevy is shockingly spacious inside. With enough room for five, and plenty of legroom for everyone, it's a very comfortable place to spend some time. The cloth and vinyl upholstery isn't exactly stock, but it does use authentic-looking patterns and excellent workmanship makes it stand out. The dash was painted to match the bodywork and nicely presented gauges offer that same warm sense of home that you got from your grandmother's old TV set, and the big steering wheel makes this Chevy easy to handle even though it's showing a bit of age. The center stack has a slot where an optional radio would live if it were ordered, and it does have an optional heater underneath and it's surprisingly effective. A cavernous trunk offers plenty of storage, plus a matching full-sized spare tire and a few original tools.Chevy's ultra-reliable and virtually indestructible "Stovebolt six" offered 216 cubic inches in 1940, and its overhead-valve configuration would endure for another two decades. It's smooth, torquey, and was designed to be serviced, so keeping this 77-year-old on the road will be a breeze. The engine bay is neat and tidy, with everything easily within reach and no questionable modifications. Up top there's an original oil bath air cleaner, while a single exhaust system gives it a proper voice. GM's famous "knee-action" independent front suspension rides quite well, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes are effective given the car's performance. And it looks especially handsome sitting on the original wheels and 215/65/16 wide whitewall radials.A great entry-level hobby car that is fun to drive and eminently practical, ready to enjoy. Call today!