DRY MONTANA SURVIVOR - DAILY DRIVER, ROD, OR RESTORE
The word “rare” is often overused in automotive circles, but sometimes it applies - this is one of those cases. This is a true two passenger (not five passenger) 41 Chevy Master Deluxe Coupe, style #41-12270, built for traveling salesmen - no back seat, no arm rests, not even an ash tray. Just a flat wooden loading floor which remains as it did when it left the factory - before Pearl Harbor! This car is not only rare because so few were made - but more so because so few survived. These were used up and thrown away. Check the Old Car Price Guideand you'll see that, because of its rarity, this is actually the third most valuable 41 Chevy after the convertible and woody wagon.
This is an original western Montana car, having spent most of its life around Bozeman and perhaps some early years in Helena (based on the radio preset labels, all of which are 3-digit call signs!). Because this is an arid climate and we don't salt the roads, the car has survived in remarkable condition, save for a few things which I'll mention below. It runs and drives so nicely that it would either make a fun vintage driver as is, or an easy restoration, or provide a wonderful canvas for a rod or custom.
Body
The body is very straight with the exception of a few small dents, and appears to have originally been painted green from the factory, based on the inside of the trunk and firewall. It was cheaply repainted the current blue in the early 90's (from what the previous owner told me), and the paint has faded on the top and rear and is chipped in many places. I have touched it up as best as I could and it looks presentable, but is definitely in need of a repaint unless you just want to keep it as a driver. Moreover, it has tiny white latex speckles from when the last owner painted his house and didn't cover the car. The only rust I've noticed is at the edge of the driver and passenger floors where the mat meets the door.The trim is in beautiful condition and very straight, the bumpers have beenre-chromed, and the door glass is new on both sides. I replaced the passenger windshield glass but it was cut a bit too big and cracked in the upper corner while I was installing it.
Interior
The interior is very clean and comfortable to ride in. Most of what you see is factory original: the paint on the dash, door panels, wooden floor in back, cardboard panels, knobs, etc. That is the factory floor mat, still pliable and with the natural fibers on it after 75 years.The headliner needs to be replaced but the bows are all there. I repainted the window surrounds. The driver's door panel was replaced at some point with one out of another car, and the seat was covered in brown vinyl at some point also. An owner many decades ago must have added the clock and radio, neither of which work, but I haven't investigated why. Also, the car has two heaters (I've not tried to get them working): one under the dash, and one under the seat. All the gauges work: speedometer, oil pressure, temperature, battery, even the gas gauge works. The horn doesn't but the wipers and lights do.
Mechanical
The motor appears to have been rebuilt at some point, since the block has no paint on it, and also because it runs too well to have not been. This little Stovebolt starts instantly, and I mean instantly every time, and runs quietly and smoothly, with plenty of power, no valvetrain chatter, and strong oil pressure. It stays cool and easily keeps up with modern traffic. I've owned a few of these motors in other cars and this is the tightest and best I've come across. I recently changed the oil and also topped of the axle and tranny.
The brakes were replaced by a previous owner (shoes, wheel cylinders, flex hoses) and all I've needed to do was rebuild the master cylinder. The brakes are excellent and stop the car quickly and evenly. The wheel seals and bearings appear to have also been replaced when the brakes were done. I recently had a new tailpipe run from the muffler back, and the older whitewall tires have almost no wear on them and run out well. The battery is only about 2 years old and strong, and the charging system works well. The only things worth mentioning as far as mechanical condition go are that there is some play in the steering, and a little rattle from the gearbox when in 2nd gear. That's it.
Overall
This is a clean, cute, strong-running car that you can have lots of fun with as-is, or restore or rod with relative ease. It has so little interior and trim that it won't have you chasing for parts or exhausting your bank account. As a hotrod, it would set you apart from all the other 5-passenger coupes with their back seats, and give you tons of space for stuff in the back when touring. You could probably even sleep back there! I don't think you'll find a better deal on something this rare and ready-to-go, and I've set the opening bid very reasonably. I have gone to great lengths to describe the car accurately and in detail, both its positives and negatives, but nothing substitutes for seeing it in person - therefore all prospective buyers are welcome and encouraged to see and drive the car themselves before bidding. I will also be happy to answer any questions about the car, which is located in Belgrade, Montana, just off 1-90 near Bozeman and on the road to Yellowstone National Park. This car is 75 years old, and therefore sold "as-is" and "where-is", and absolutely no warranties are made concerning it or its condition, either expressed or implied. Car must be picked up no later than September 20th, since I will be out of town after that for a few weeks. Good luck bidding!