VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 41 Accessories

that is one beautiful looking 41

I've had the pleasure of nosing around the 41's shown, the Coupe & Convertible they are both are beautiful cars....

Look-in good dude !
Michael41

The fact is Chevrolet sold the accessorie so the owners could personalize their cars. In 1941 most were lucky to have a heater AND a radio and these cars were more or less just considered transportation by the owners. The owners that thought of a car as more than just an appliance would spend the money for accessories. From my memory at least 80% of 1941 Chevrolets had none of the mentioned accessories other than the radio and heater. I would say the wing tips/grille and trunk guards were the most popular. Today we still personalize our collector cars with OUR favorite items and all tastes are differnt. Adding accessories during the time of ownership is something I always did as it more or less refreshes the looks of the car.

'Tis indeed a beautiful car! Now, for this ignorant soul, what is a "footscraper"? :vcca:

Thanks to all for the kind words. The footscraper is a stamped steel box -like grate covered with stainless and two cast end pieces.They are mounted on the rocker area between the front and rear fenders over where the rocker moulding would be.GM provided all the nessary holes and or body anchors on all 41 model year cars regardless of model.It was intended to be used as a way of cleaning your footwear of mud, snow ect. before entering the car. I also was not a fan of these not so many years ago even passing up a few sets over the years.It was not until I purchased the convertible that I decided to make it my own by adding a set. So enjoy life and have it your way'''
Happy Holidays to all.
Mike.........

Foot scrapers were probably one of the most seldom seen acessories for 1941. I had never seen nor heard of them until getting into the hobby in 1970. I more or less was very aware of 1941 Chevrolets from the time they were new. The wide low body and good looks caused quite a stir in 1941.
1941 was the first year for Chevrolet not to have running boards.

a number of makes eleminated running boards on some of their models in 1939. It was considers very radicl and many buyers were not ready to accept a running boardless car in 1941. So wisely GM retained what they called a concealed runing board on the A and B bodies. I suspect Chevrolet didn't want to take any chances and offered the foot scraper as a (added) running board substitute. In 1942-48 Chevrolet has the built-in foot scraper (which many owners today don't know they have) - its the area under the front fenser extension that can be seen whenthe door is opened. The farmer could scrape the manure of his shoes and it would fall thru the opening to the ground.

A couple of more views'
[img] [img]http://[/img] http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp51/1941SPLDLX/DSCN0235.jpg[/IMG]

1941 Special DLX, By looking at the pictures you posted is it apparent that you have a couple of very nice cars. Wow! But I can't fathom why you didn't stick the scrapers on the coupe instead of the Cabriolet. My thinking is that it would be more at home there with the passing light. But, as you so forcefully stated, it's "the way I see it" I think I understand. Defiance maybe. Fine. Actually, you may want to put another passing light on the right side. That way the center of gravity of that critter would be moved toward the front and help lift the rear end up some. Or, are the springs wore slap out or are you a-hauling too much corn squeezings (CS) back there in the trunk. Oops, I forgot you don't know what CS is out there in LA. Then never mind. Owing to your location, merely substitute some plentiful form of illegal items you folks may have out there. By the way, owing to your failure to see things my way, as evidenced by the "way I see it," what do you have against a set of nice of mud flaps (ones with the stars and reflectors). They have the potential of keeping the bottom of the rear fenders as manure free as the scrapers do the insides of the car. (I'm just messin with ya.) Best wishes, Charlie

Hi Charlie,
The reason I installed the scrapers on the rag is that I am only 3ft.tall and I need them so that I can hop into the car' The coupe is lowered so I can just jump into it'Plus I carry my stilts along with all my other junk in there spare 216, trans, tools, wheels ect.you know the usual stuff'.Also the reason the passing lamp is only on the drivers side is that it keeps the car from leaning to the right, my 89lbs.is not enough'.
Thanks
Mike....

That was the best reply yet....

I would love to have either of the 1941's and if the price was right would leave them just as they are.

Beautiful cars!!! LOVE all the accessories! There quite addicting!!!

1941 SD, Now I think I may understand. But I still think you have capitulated to the dark side. Anyway, so the scrappers are owing to a vertically challenged condition and, therefore, needing to help you scramble aboard. As to such low-rider mentality, why don't you install a set of huge (take out the back seat) boom boxes on it as well. That way when you demonstrate from your "orange-crate" position just how high that thing will jump to the sound of some loud and awful rap (actually all rap is awful). You then can have little kiddies and other less mature folks looking on and a-clapping and marveling at your "ride." As to the passing light, I guess there's no bigger kick than lighting up the world when giving notice that you intend to pass. Question: For those on our coasts, did they make you black-out the upper half of them as well as the head lights. Or, more practically, did the military's coastal defense borrow them for back-up search lights. I hope you'll consider painting a Chevy bow tie (actually a propeller) on the lens, bring it to Flint, tilt if up another 30 degrees or so and put on a Batman style show for independent thinking folk who tend to walk on the side on the bright side (more enlightened).
Best wishes, Charlie

I see that Ron's 41 is making the cover of G & D. Two passing lights et al. If I was the editor I'd make him take the right one off. To have two on there and have the unmitigated gall to think that two of them suckers look better than the correct just one, makes us purist think of tar and feathers. Yes, arrogance has no bounds. (Am I ever envious or not?) Anyway, when I get my copy I'm a-going to crop out the right passing light. I figure a hole in the picture will be better than constantly testing my gag reflex every time I see it. Have you noticed that it has (as far as I know) every accessory but fog lights? Even foot scrapers? I know Ron and he ain't no member of the lollypop guild. Best, Charlie

How are accessories judged?
a. Not judged?
b. Judged?
c. If judged and its an accessory such as a passing light, does it have to work?
d. If the above is true then does a five band radio have to pick up short-wave signals. Do they wait until an optimal time, about midnight, to test for short-wave stations?
e. For passing lights, back-up lights and fog-lights, how does the switch figure in?
f. Does the town and country horn have to switch from one in town to two in the country setting?
h. Does an eight-hour clock on a Master have to work. Do they have to work for a full eight hours on full wind? (yeah, I'm reaching here.)
I. Does an umbrella have to be opened up and tested for holes?
j. Or is one who is going to enter his car in a contest better off to take off all the accessories so they can fairly compete with a plain-Jane Master sans accessories? Richard (Dick) Shirieber (sp) use have one and it won every time.
k. How about a red-head flashlight, does it have to have the flat end with the BM (I think) embossment?

I know the above may seem silly but I sure don't know the answers. Best, Charlie

Charlie
Great question'' Judge-to form a opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.
I for one don't ever have my cars judged' Its not important to me to have some individual or group of unqualified people to tell me what is right or wrong about my cars in there opinion."
Some people like, love the plaques, trophies ect.And thats great for some. I don't care if a car is a plane jane or loaded with a bunch of goodies.If the car looks good, it looks good.I prefer to like my cars the way I have them and enjoy them that way.Not everyone has the same taste, so be yourself and don't be the judge'

Ditto!
Ditto!

ED, well, I can't argue with you on that. I do think though that if you're going to have a car judged, it would behoove you to have it as close to original as you can without too much trouble. Saves deductions and a more pleasing result.
Best, Charlie

Charlie. I go to several local car shows. I have quite a few trophies and plaques from shows and parades. I go to shows to visit with friends and look at cars and trucks. I don't have to win something to have a good time. My car is very very close to original inside and out. Everything works and I now have it running very good. Seems like it runs better every time I drive it. The average person (and most critics) are not able to detect the few things that are not "right". I'm not big on accessories but respect those that like them.
I enjoy the Chatter II and the Chat Chapter especially the discussions on repairs and just chatter. I don't write many threads but keep it up. I check our site everyday. JIM