Estimate: $20,000-$30,000 US

Sold: $14,300

96bhp, 221 cu. in. V8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring, ¾-floating rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 114"

The sales success of Mercury, introduced in 1939, highlighted consumer desire for more interior room, and it significantly influenced the design of the Ford model line in 1941. The most significant change was a longer wheelbase of 114 inches, a move that was mirrored by archrival Chevrolet. In addition, the headlights were repositioned higher up and farther to the outside of the front fenders, providing vastly improved road lighting.

For 1942, yet another styling revision brought a more integrated grille, along with new front fenders, a new hood and fully concealed running boards. These carefully refined cars were also one inch lower than before, with lower and wider leaf springs, a wider tread and dual stabilizer bars. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, civilian automobile production ended altogether on February 4, 1942 to redirect America’s massive manufacturing capacity to the war effort. Consequently, few cars were produced for the 1942 model year and even Ford’s production volumes were held to about 43,000 units during the 1942 calendar year.

The flowing, streamlined 1942 Ford Coupe offered here is a very attractive example of Ford’s top Super DeLuxe series, and it continues to display a very solid, older frame-on restoration. With 70,500 actual miles, it continues to be very enjoyable to show or drive, and retains all of its original body panels. Finished in its original black, the Coupe is complemented by very attractive brightwork and period accessories including dual amber fog lamps, dual chrome-plated rearview mirrors, front and rear bumper guards and body color steel wheels with red pinstripe accents, bright hubcaps and whitewall tires. The interior is trimmed in light tan cloth upholstery with darker tan carpeting and includes an attractive two-tone dash and woodgrain window trim, as well as a heater, radio and clock.

Ford and the rest of the American auto industry had already begun preparations for military production before civilian automobile manufacturing was halted, generating well-paying jobs and overtime hours for production workers. The $850 required to buy a 1942 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe was an excellent way to put some of those hard-earned dollars to good use. Since no replacement cars would be built until late 1945, the original buyer of this example made an astute and timely purchase, an opportunity that, over a half century later, presents itself once again.