VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Window Sticker Example ?

Does any one know where I take a look at an Original 1940's Chevrolet Window Sticker ?

I purchased a repro. window sticker and I want to fill it out like it was back in the 40's. And I actually have an old Smith-Corona typewriter I plan on using.

My goal is to have it appear like an original. I can see where certain information goes or might be listed {Car price, dealer, accessories, etc.}. But I do not know if there was some specific order, method, or did it vary by dealer ? did the factory fill them out ?

I have seen some filled out at car shows, but I can not remember them well enough to fill mine out.

As always your assistance is appreciated.
Michael41

I recently did an article about window stickers (factory type) for 1946-58 Chevrolets. Will be in a future G&D.
The factory window sticker with options and prices first appeared in 1959. This was a Federal Government law and went into effect for 1959.
The prior sticker that Chevrolet used was placed on the right side of the windshield at the Fisher Body plant. It listed the options that were to be on the car, paint number, etc. Actually in 1941 there were very few common factory options. The most common would have been 2 tone paint, white walls, or an oil bath air cleaner.....I have no pre war info. at this time.
There were several "stickers" that the dealer could use. He would fill in the info., the accessories that he installed on the car and the prices. In 1941 very few dealers installed any accessories on the car prior to the sale for fear it would be rejected by the customer. A loaded car in 1941 would be one with a radio and a heater...then if he would have installed the $85.00 radio and the customer wanted the $59.95 model it could kill the sale. After WWII it was just the opposite. the dealer loaded the car with accessories and it was a "take it or leave it" story for the customer....plus they inflated the prices of the accessories. After the OPA ceiling prices were eleminated many of the Chevrolet dealers did inflate the price of the car, especially in larger cities. That when the factory/price window sticker came from. After WWII the demand for some makes was low but Chevrolet always had a waiting list for their product. Just when they were getting caught up in 1949 the Korean War started in 1950 and Chevrolets were in rather short supply thru 1953-depending on location, model, etc.

Hey Michael,

I sure don't mean to be telling you what to do, so I'll say I suggest you make several photocopies of the newly purchased repo window sticker to use to "test" making the "finished" one for your Coupe.

Like "test" the typewriter, placement of info, check for typos and so on.....

Bill

Thank you Gene. Great info. as always.

I've heard of people actually having originals. So all I have to do is feast my Baby Blues on one of those, then commence with the hunt & peck system.

Billy, your dead on my man, much appreciated. I have 15 copies sit-in here right next to the ol' Smith Corona. Went to Kinko's and used the "color" copier. Don't you just love technology.

Now all I have to do is keep my eyes open for an example.
Thank you both,
Michael41

I have the factory sticker from my 1955-will send you a copy. It will also be pictured in the G&D some day. Very rare to find one as they were thrown away by the new car clean-up person.
Prior to WWII the dealers some times used a little leather encased-plastic windowed thing that they would hang on the hood ornament in the show room. I have some of those some place also. Would be more common for prewar than a window sticker.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Michael41