VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 40 chevy coupe

Am looking at a 40 chevy coupe online and am trying to determine if it is a Master or Special Deluxe. It has the gas fill under the rear window and not in the fender. Does that mean no rear seat? It has the stainless molding on the hood and around the windows. Also has a push button radio and clock in the glovebox door. Most business coupe didn't have all that. Any other way to tell? thanks,John

John,

From what you describe, it 's probably a Special Deluxe Business Coupe. The radio and clock add little to the identification owing to the fact that either one

could be bought as an accessory. The Special Deluxe did, however, come with a clock as the Master Deluxle did not. Or so I think.

Maybe you should search for a 41 Special Deluxe instead. No stinkin running boards, a more powerful and better engine, wider seat (s), more better looking body, and on and on to as nausea. Yep!

Good luch with whatever you choose to do.

Charlie

Nice barn find. I like the fact you used black-wall tires.

I have a soft spot for 40's. I want running boards and have a 58 235 to put in it. I like the headlights on a 40 because they are seperate from the fender.

The Special Deluxe will have a crome belt moulding and chrome around the side windows and the windshield.
a business coupe has no back seat and gas filler on the side behind the door. The gas tank sits on top of the floor behind the front seat and there is a wood shelf over it.
The business cope came in the Master 85, Master Deluxe and Special Deluxe series. Least common in the special Deluxe.

Thanks for the reply Gene. This definely is a special deluxe business coupe then. Just wasn't sure if they made one with that package. Would like to have one with a back seat but this one is complete and in good shape to restore. Can't get too picky seeing as they are almost 60 yrs old. I have learned the more you start with the better it is. Not getting any younger.

Shoot they are almost 80 yrs. old.

Just my opinion here, but doesn't it already have an engine? It would be a lot more appealing to most folks with its 1940 216 in it than it would be with a '58 engine stuck into it, at which point it's not really a 1940 anymore. I have a friend that has a totally stock '40 coupe that wins Senior awards, and he has been known to run it all over the eastern US at 60-65 miles an hour, frequently 500 miles in a day without any issues. And then everything fits like it was designed to fit. For what it's worth.

There are plenty of "experts" that advise to change engines because the originals are: not reliable, can't be driven at hwy speeds, etc. Basically the so called "experts" don't know what they are talking about. I drove a stock '31 Chevrolet at 55 mph for an hour or so at a time. Yes it made noise and vibrated a bit but soldiered on. Drive other babbitt pounders a total of over 2000 miles each year for the past 10+ years. May not be an "expert" but do have a lot of experience as do plenty of other VCCA members.