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Chevrolet Deluxe (1st Gen) 1941-1948
The Chevrolet Deluxe was introduced late in the 1941 model year as a 4-door sedan. In 1942 a fastback 2-door "aerosedan" became an option. Production was indefinitely delayed in 1942 due to WWII, after 110,000 had been made total, though several thousand Chevrolet coupes and sedans were produced during the war years for military staff use. In late 1945, civilian production resumed. The original series was produced through 1948. A redesigned Deluxe with reduced body contour and integrated rear fenders was offered for the 1949 and 1950 years.
In the 1941/42 model years, the 216cid inline 6 "Blue Flame" engine was the only one offered. It produced 85 horsepower at 3300 rpm. In 1947 output was bumped up to 90 horsepower. A Deluxe of this vintage could easily exceed 80 miles per hour without overdrive. The transmission was a manual synchromesh 3 speed, with vacuum assisted shift, in which the "three-on-the-tree" shifter was able to be moved between gears by the slightest pressure on the lever. Third gear was direct, meaning the input and output are equal speeds. Overdrive was a rare option. Connection to the third member rear-end was via an enclosed "torque tube" driveshaft. The brakes where hydraulic with all-wheel drums. The master cylinder was located beneath the driver. Shock absorbers were of the lever type. The windshield through 1948 was of a split, flat-glass type. The wipers were vacuum actuated. Chevrolet offered windshield washers on some years.
In 1941, the Master and Special Deluxe had updated styling from the year before with things such as a new grill, new suspension, new curves, and the headlight mounted in the fenders. The Special had better fabric than the Master, along with arm rests in the doors. There was full instrumentation.
1942 models got blackout trim in January. The Signal-Seeking radio became an option. On February 1, 1942, civilian automobile production halted for war production.
When 1946 came along, the names were changed to Stylemaster and Fleetmaster.
[SIZE="1"]Source: wikipedia.org[/SIZE]
