Classic Treasure: 1941 FORD COUPE

There is a distinct difference between an ‘antique’ or a ‘vintage’ or a ‘classic’ car. Being an enthusiast, you will know the differences. An antique car is one that will be over the age of twenty-five.  A classic car will have been made specifically between the years of 1925 through 1948. The vintage beauties would have been made in the time between 1919 and 1930. 

Henry Ford is a prominent name in the vintage and classic car history.  Mr. Ford, who was touted as the creator of the assembly line, used this as a way to bring cars to a more cost-effective level for Americans and, in so doing, allow the public greater access to them.

(Side note:  Evidence shows that the actual use of the first assembly lines is traced to the first Chinese emperor who began using them in order to make clay figures. Also, Mr. Ransom Olds is the first gentleman to initiate the lines for automobiles in 1901 with great success.)

In mid September of 1940 would be Henry Ford’s last known public appearance to introduce his new 1941 Ford models including the 1941 Ford Coupe.  He had an audience of over five hundred reporter to whom he spoke very little but put on a display using an ad on the vehicle to demonstrate the durability. 

The 1941 models were the beginning of the ‘fat’ Ford’s that were much more modern in keeping with the times. 

Six thousand Ford dealers received the new models to be sold and, when the model year was through, there were upwards of 692,000 cars that had been produced and the sales were up over 150,000 more than they had been the previous year.  This they felt was due to the fact that the public had the idea that the 1941 models would be the last models available from Ford.

A big difference for the 1941 is the engine that it carries. Typical for a Ford engine was a 221 cubic inch flathead V8 which had been introduced back in 1932. Now it was boasting in a 90 horsepower at 3800 rpm with 6 cylinder that replaced the V8 which Henry Ford had fought up until this point.

These cars were much bigger overall showcasing a 194.3” length. The wideness of the chubby body would cover the running boards, but still allowed for the front and rear fenders to be pronounced, though, they were to be more integrated within the body. The headlights stood tall up and pushed out over top of the wheels with a prominent three-piece grille section.

Despite being larger, these models rode better with less rattling, quieter engines.  They prided themselves on better construction in the body as well as better insulation.

Collecting classic or vintage cars is not for someone who is a ‘small hobby enthusiast’.  This is a culture that takes part in understanding American as well as world history along with the revolution of the era.  These folks aren’t only interest in the sheer joy of collecting the cars, but they have passion about these automobiles along with the stories of how they became developed as well as each of the models’ part that they played in history. Having this interest is exciting, expensive, and quite rare making it particularly special.