1941 Ford Coupe

Judging by the chassis number, this V8-powered 1941 Ford Coupe - possibly a Super DeLuxe - was built during the summer of 1941, but other than that there is very little we can tell you of its history Stateside. There’s some more recent narrative in the History Highlights section to cover its import to the UK and subsequent restoration.

Back in the spring of 2016, the car was bought by our vendor, a collector and occasional dealer in mostly younger classics. He explains that on a whim he put in a cheekily low commission bid to an auction and was rather surprised but pleased to win it.

He’s driven the car out and about to show a few times - including to Brands Hatch - and has carried out whatever odd jobs needed doing as and when, but mostly it has spent the last 7 years or so in his storage wearing a dust cover. With a number of cars to look after, he says he spends his time on those that “shout the loudest”, but the softly-spoken Ford has rarely wanted for anything.

The Coupe is finished in a bright, almost fire-engine red, likely not an original factory colour, which tended to include darker, more subdued hues back in the day. The condition of the paint is largely very good with just an unfortunate scratch low down on the offside front fender, just ahead of the door hinge.

Badged as a Super DeLuxe, there is chrome aplenty on this Coupe - and most of it in good order with just a light patination. Particular finishing details we like are the drooping-stem door mirrors, the small teardrop-shaped reflectors - two at each corner - and the hot-rod style tailpipe deflector.

At first glance, the chrome door handles look as if they are pulled out slightly - but they are as they should be and open with a twist rather than a pull. The front and rear bumpers would originally have been chromed too but have been coated in body-coloured red paint, which is now starting to craze and scuff.

The 1941 Ford was the last Ford car to have running boards - albeit vestigial ones - and separate, protruding fenders. Subsequent models had everything integrated into a smooth, slab-sided body form. We think it makes this car rather special to look at, bringing the pre-war Streamline Moderne design movement to a close.

The car sits on body-coloured wheels, nicely set off with chrome hubcaps and trim ring, which are lightly patinated. All are shod with BF Goodrich Silvertown white-walled tyres - or should that be tires? - adding to the authentic Americana look.

Inside, like the exterior, is mostly red with the seats upholstered in a bright red velour with vertical pleats on the seat facings. The seats are extremely comfortable and all-embracing, in the sense that you sink right down into the seat like a favourite sofa.

The upholstery is possibly not the original material, which if it were a Super DeLuxe should be leather and would be more like the dark red of the door cards and sun visors.

However, all the interior trimming looks well done and remains in very good condition, with just a bit of wear on the side of the passenger seat and a small area of the cabin lining behind the rear seat back that looks to have been cut and patched.

Up front the off-white steering wheel, dash trim panels and control knobs contrast nicely against the body coloured dash - although there is no Super DeLuxe wood-grain to be seen. On the dash top is a modern Pioneer radio with a removable fascia, nicely done but a retro unit would look more in keeping. The stereo plays through white speakers mounted behind the rear seats.

Just for laughs - almost certainly a reproduction - there’s a “Kennedy for President” sticker inside the driver’s door shut. That turned out well!

The engine bay and its contents look in a clean but honest condition, sporting an appropriate amount of patina to suggest that whilst they are well maintained (note the modern belts and hoses), they have not been unnecessarily renewed or repainted - instead leaving what could be some of the original paint on the block and heads.

The undersides of the car are remarkably clean, bearing a good solid coat of paint and underseal across the chassis and floor pans and with no obvious damage. The exhaust system looks to be stainless steel and there are signs of other modern fittings including silicone air ducting and stainless steel nuts and bolts.

Inside the rear boot (aside from another Kennedy sticker) is the spare wheel and an edge-trimmed floor mat, which is in good order. Underneath are two stowage compartments for the jack or a tool roll, neither of which are present. Included with the car are some show plates, a cover and some top-up engine oil.

The car’s first UK MOT was in August 2010 - presumably the one required to register the car with the DVLA following import. Its last was in June 2012. As an historic vehicle, the 1941 Ford is of course exempt from annual testing but we think it’s a useful way of providing an independent assessment of roadworthiness should one ever be required.

There isn’t a great deal of paperwork with the car, but such cars are best judged by the condition, which in this case is rather good. We understand that a great deal of money was spent during its restoration to get the car to this standard.

Previous narrative on the car’s history suggests that during its restoration (c 2011-2015) it was converted to 12 volt electrics running through an alternator, the body restored and repainted with new door and body seals, plus a new rear spring assembly, fuel tank, brakes and radiator. The interior too was restored, with a period-correct heater fitted along with a modern stereo.

Verbal accounts suggest that it may have been imported to the UK to play a background role in the 2011 movie Captain America: The First Avenger prior to its restoration and respray. There were two 1941 Ford Coupes bought to be used in the film, and the import date certainly tallies, but there is no proof that this is one of those cars. This would be a great quest for the next owner to take up and get to the bottom of.

The car starts on the button (literally) and runs very smoothly and quietly at idle. In fact, our vendor once left it running whilst he went off to get something and thought it must have stalled when he came back to an all but silent motor. Driving it is a real pleasure, clearly not like a modern car but easy-going and much more driveable than most cars of that era.

This is a cracking-looking car that has clearly been sensibly restored within the last decade and well cared for in recent years. We think it should fetch between £15,000 and £20,000 & it is very generously being offered with NO RESERVE.

Whether or not this car started its new life in the UK as a film extra, it is certainly a MARVEL-LOUS motor (see what we did there?) that turns heads wherever it goes. It would surely be a welcome, curve-ball addition to anyone’s collection whether you’re an American car enthusiast or not and would make for an excellent car for weekend fun.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.