Elite Dealer

1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe

Little Rock, Arkansas

$16,995

Vehicle Details

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Special Deluxe

Year

1941

Transmission

Manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

235 6-cylinder

Condition

Good

Description

This 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe is a head-turning classic that captures the authentic spirit of early-40s American motoring. Presented as close to original as possible, this Special Deluxe features the original three-on-the-tree manual transmission and runs and drives beautifully. A 1953 Chevrolet track motor was installed and has been updated to 12-volt electrics, with the original motor included in the sale.

The recently installed 235 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine shows only 20,000 miles and pairs with a refreshed interior. This is a genuine driver that delivers both character and reliability, offering the buyer two powerplants to choose from. Whether you're seeking an accessible entry into pre-war Chevy ownership or a weekend cruiser with real period appeal, this Special Deluxe rewards enthusiasts who value originality and honest restoration work.

Chevrolet Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide (1941–1948)

Full guide

Mike Sullivan

Muscle Cars

1941–1948

~4 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The Special Deluxe was the top trim of Chevrolet's wartime and early postwar lineup — chrome where others had painted steel, a nicer interior, and a price premium that still shows up in the collector market today. The convertible and woodie wagon are the headline grabbers, but even a solid driver-quality sedan is a rewarding car to own.

This guide covers

✓ 11-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 6 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide

Chevrolet Special Market Overview

Based on 39 Chevrolet Special listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$38,829

Avg. Asking Price

1937–1941

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Below Average

This car: $16,995

Low: $7,495 High: $86,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 67%

Manual 13% ◄

Condition Distribution

Excellent 13%

Good 13% ◄

Fair 5%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 39 listings →

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What is this car worth?

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Chevrolet Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide (1941–1948)

I've walked past a lot of Special Deluxes at swap meets and auctions over the years, and the ones that hold their value all have one thing in common: good metal. The chrome trim, the two-tone upholstery, the extra brightwork — those things matter, but they don't matter nearly as much as the cowl and the floor pans underneath. Get the structural metal right and the cosmetics are just time and money. Get it wrong and you're into a full restoration whether you planned for one or not.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Cowl channel probe — Probe vent slots at windshield base with screwdriver — soft metal = structural repair required

✓

Floor pan inspection — Lift carpet under front and rear seats, check for rust-through or repairs

✓

Trunk corner rust — Inspect lower trunk corners inside and rear fender bottoms outside

✓

Convertible body seams — Check door jambs and windshield frame for flex-cracked paint on drop-tops

✓

Wood framing (wagon) — Probe all wood structural members on woodie — rot is not always visible

✓

Chrome trim inventory — Document all missing or pitted chrome — window moldings, hood ornament, grille surround

✓

Cold start test — Start from cold, listen for steady idle — rough idle often means valve adjustment

✓

Oil leaks — Check rear main seal and timing cover for oil seeping

✓

Transmission synchro — Verify 2nd and 3rd shift cleanly — grinding indicates worn synchro rings

✓

Electrical grounds — Test all lights and gauges — 6-volt issues almost always trace to ground connections

✓

Running board condition — Check running board attachment points for rust at lower body mounting

Common Issues

Cowl channel rust is nearly universal on unrestored examples and requires professional metalwork to address properly. Floor pan rust accompanies cowl rot — these cars trap water in the lower body structure. Lower rear quarter rust at the inner corners of the trunk is the third common structural failure. On convertibles, wood structural framing deteriorates independently of metal and compromises body rigidity. Rear main seal oil leaks are common and expected on high-mileage examples. The 6-volt positive-ground electrical system requires all grounds to be clean and correct — mysterious electrical gremlins almost always trace to ground connections. Chrome trim pieces (window moldings, hood ornament, grille surrounds) are difficult to find in good condition and expensive to replate; missing or pitted chrome is the most common cosmetic issue on driver-quality cars. Woodie wagon wood panels require periodic refinishing and moisture sealing to prevent structural deterioration.

What to Look For

Cowl channel rust is the defining inspection point — probe the vent slots at the windshield base with a screwdriver before evaluating anything else. Floor pan condition under both front and rear seats. Lower rear quarters inside the trunk corners and at the bottom of rear fenders above running board mounts. On convertibles: check all body seams for flex-related paint cracking, and verify the wood structural framing is intact. Inspect all Special Deluxe trim (chrome moldings, hood ornament, interior garnish pieces) — missing or damaged trim is expensive to source. Verify the Stovebolt starts cold and idles steadily. Check for oil leaks at the rear main seal and timing cover. Confirm transmission synchromesh engages cleanly on 2nd and 3rd. Test all electrical (gauges, lights, wipers) — the 6-volt system requires correct grounds throughout.

Price Guide

Driver-quality sedans and coupes: $12,000–$20,000. Show-quality sedans: $28,000–$42,000. Convertibles carry a 30–40% premium at all condition levels — driver convertibles $18,000–$28,000, show quality $55,000+. Woodie wagons in presentable condition with intact wood: $45,000–$80,000. The Standard Deluxe (slug: deluxe, same chassis, lower trim) trades 15–20% below Special Deluxe prices at comparable condition. Incomplete cars missing trim pieces trade at significant discounts — factor in the sourcing cost of missing chrome before agreeing to a deal.

Did You Know?

Chevrolet sold more cars than any other US manufacturer in 1941, and the Special Deluxe was the glamour piece of that lineup. Production halted entirely in February 1942 as all US auto plants converted to war production. The 1946 models, the first postwar Chevys, were essentially 1942 designs — dealers sold them as fast as they could be delivered to a car-starved public. The 216 Stovebolt six was so well regarded that it remained in production for truck applications well into the 1950s.

Elite Dealer

$16,995

1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe

Little Rock, Arkansas

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