Pre War 1940s Cars

US car production was dealt a setback because of World War II.

In 1940 pre World War II the US produced 4,680,000 cars. Although each decade in history is different the decade of the 1940's is by far the most unusual in U.S. automobile history. This was the only period of time when automobile production stopped for a period of 3-4 years. No cars were manufactured after 1942 due to the advent of World War II. Production for civilians did not resume until 1946 . Early 1940's saw the first time luxury cars started rolling off a production line. A car showed the wealth and status of its owner. Cars like the Delahaye 135 convertible whose top speeds reached 95 mph, the Delahaye was the ultimate 1940 luxury car.

Delahaye 135 Convertible

1940s Willys Jeep

The department of war came up with a one-quarter ton four wheel drive military vehicle called the Jeep. WWII saw the conversion of many U.S. automotive plants to military production. Chrysler meanwhile introduced a safety rim wheel that kept the tire on the rim in case of a blowout. Chrysler also offered two-speed electric windshield wipers. 

The new 1940s cars had a lower, longer, broader, and more massive look. Hudson offered a combination automatic clutch with a semi-automatic transmission. The driver could select either the manual or semi-automatic shift with buttons on the dash.

1942 Hudson Commodore

1941 Packard Clipper 

The 1941-42 Packard Clipper was another luxury car produced before the war.

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Interesting Trivia About 1940s Cars

A new car back in 1940s was about $800 and for 18 cents, you could buy a gallon of gas. On average most 1940s cars got about 15 to 20 miles per gallon.

In 1941 the Chrysler Company started production of the luxury oriented Town & Country wagon. 

1941 Chrysler Town and Country

These cars of the 1940s was the forerunner to the modern-day mini van. The Town & Country Wagon like the Mini Van featured an optional 9 passenger seating, a rear hatch,and was the first to include genuine wood exterior panels. The Town & Country Wagon was the original "woody". This car made a huge splash with the public especially during the postwar era. The popular convertible version hit the highways in 1949 with a starting price of $3,970. 

The 1940 Chrysler Saratoga along with other Chrysler cars, adopted the new sealed beam headlights which gave over 50% more light in high beam. During the middle of the 1940, a special model called the Highlander was introduced as a closed coupe and convertible. It had authentic Scotch plaid and moleskin leather upholstery. The Saratoga was introduced as a performance version of the New Yorker. 

1941 Chrysler Saratoga 

Walter P. Chrysler died on August 18, 1940, after two years of illness, just as preparations were underway for the 1941 model year. A new semiautomatic transmission called Vacamatic was made available as an extra cost option. 

In 1940, all Imperial 1940s cars were now consolidated under a single banner--the Crown Imperial. Fluid Drive, Over drive, and power brakes continued to be offered as standard equipment. The new Crown had three body styles: the six and the eight-passenger sedans, and the sedan limousine with glass partition.

1940 Chrysler Crown Imperial

Fluid Drive, Over drive, and power brakes continued to be offered on these cars.

1940 Plymouth

The 1940 Plymouth was a great car. It had engineering far and above anything else offered in the low priced field. It also had styling which is still evident today. It was a solidly built and smooth handling car. It achieved what it was advertised for: "The Low Priced Beauty With the Luxury Ride."

A major improvement in the 1940 Plymouth was the new All Weather Air Control System. As an option it was offered on both the Roadking and Deluxe models. The combined heating and ventilation system provided fresh air, circulated to all parts of the 1940s cars in summer and winter even with the windows tightly closed. 

Sealed-beam headlights became standard equipment on De Soto as well as all other Chrysler Corporation 1940s cars. Also new to De Soto was the optional All-Weather Air Control system with dual blower and heater units. 

1940 DeSoto Custom 

1941 Dodge Luxury Liner 

The 1941 Dodge Luxury Liner Custom as pioneered earlier by Chrysler, was made available to a lower priced car for the first time in the 1941 Dodge. Power was transferred from the engine to the transmission by fluids with no metal connection. Also introduced on Dodge were safety rim wheels. 

1942 Lincoln Continental

The '40s also saw the rise of the glamorous 1942 Lincoln Continental. The vehicle's development was overseen by Edsel Ford, son of Ford's founder Henry Ford. After World War II, Lincolnmaintained its top status with 1940s vehicles like the Mark II and the '60s-era Continentals, which gained fame through their "suicide-style" rear doors and use as U.S. presidential limousines. 

In the 1930s, Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford hierarchy, one that would be an intermediary -- between the everyman Ford Deluxes and premium Lincoln Zephyrs. To achieve this, Edsel felt the vehicles of this new brand should offer distinctive styling along with innovative features and better capabilities. He named the new division "Mercury". Unfortunately, production stopped during World War II; 

The Ford Motor Company   produced a number of 1940s cars like the v-8 deluxe coupe that went for the price of about $650 . The Ford V8 deluxe four door Sedan which went for around $750 , included and were fitted with sealed beam head lights on the deluxe models, and had chrome headlight trim rings, and parking lights. 

A black 1940 Ford V8

Before the US entered the war the automobile capital was St Louis MO. Later Detroit MIbecame the leader in the automotive industry and remains so in the present time.