Pick of the Day: 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe

To start off with a cliché, it is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But what if the facsimile comes from the same brain trust? Our Pick of the Day demonstrates that style can trickle down within a corporation—witness this 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Town Sedan listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hugo, Minnesota. (Click on the link to view the listing)

When the 1940s hit, all the cars in the American market were following a design trend of fatter, less sleek styling. Nineteen forty is often considered a landmark year because it seems like all makes were quite good-looking, and Buick was no exception. For the first time, headlights were properly integrated to the front fenders. Buick offered five series of cars: Special, Super, Century, Roadmaster, and Limited. Wheelbase ranged from 121 inches (Special and Super) to 133 inches (Limited Series 80), with the fanciest of Limiteds (Series 90) having a spectacular 140-inch wheelbase. Power came from Buick’s famous straight-eight, which offered 107 horsepower from 248cid and 141 horsepower from 320. With a market position that was solidly upper-middle class, Buicks dipped both into solidly middle class and luxury ends of the market. Is it any wonder that Buick was number four in sales? Quite impressive following Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth.

For 1941, it looked like Chevrolet was following Buick, though not in sales. Glance at the styling of the Chevy and you’ll note that it looks like a junior 1940 Buick. Of course, there’s a lot more than a resemblance that distinguished the two cars, as a brand’s position in the marketplace in that era was established by the number of cylinders and the length of the wheelbase. In Chevrolet’s case, there were two series: Master Deluxe and Special Deluxe, plus a special Fleetline four-door sedan in the latter series that was introduced mid-year. Both were powered by a 90-horsepower 216ci straight-six and utilized a 116-inch wheelbase.

Most of the style without the suds? America thought so, as Chevrolet continued to produce many more Chevrolets than Fords by a prodigious 300,000-plus units. Though nowhere near approaching the fine interiors and trim of the Buick, the Chevrolet Special Deluxe added the following to the Master Deluxe: chrome-plated trim on the dashboard, illuminated clock, trunk light, leatherette scuff coverings on doors and seat heel plate, carpet inserts in front of rubber floor mat, two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring, stainless steel moldings on hood louvers, windshield/side/rear windows, and body crease, and leather front seat arm rests, ash tray, and decorative license plate nameplate. Certainly no Buick, but the style and value were there.

This 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Town Sedan demonstrates the Buick-inspired charm that made Chevrolet a sales winner. Sure, Ford had its own fine styling and V8 power, but neither was able to overcome the Bow Tie juggernaut. “This car is a true American classic,” states the seller. “Car has been stored inside since new and only driven 600 miles in the past 17 years with 35,600 miles on the odometer.” Of course, it’s powered by the stock six backed by a vacuum-assisted three-speed manual.

However, there is something quite special about this particular example—the seller adds, “Body is rust-free with original paint, glass and interior. The original radio, clock, gauges, lights and heater all work.” Sounds like you will get your own dose of flattery when you take this Special Deluxe to shows. For $26,500, that’s not a bad proposition.