1940 Chevrolet Special Convertible
True art comes in many forms, whether it be brush to palette then canvas, or sculpting a form from a lump of clay, or starting with a raw log and putting it on the lathe to create a bowl. Art always comes through the doors of Classic Auto Mall in the form of a custom car creation. Not unlike looking at the paintings on the wall at MOMA, the halls here at CAM are draped with years of sculpted metal to gaze upon and see the history of design unfold right before our very eyes.
Using the tools of a chop saw, a grinder, sandpaper and a builder's concept, we now have a work of art in the form of a 1940 Chevrolet Special convertible. Looking something like the original, but made better now better, shaved, chopped, and a large blower motor, and some custom add ons from other cars I give you this Orange 2,727 non verifiable mile masterpiece.
Exterior
So, starting upfront we will keep the "Groucho Marx" style mustache grille, shave the bumper, and add some Porsche 911 headlights melted into the rounded fenders, and so begins the look. All steel for this "juiced" looker which minds its gaps well and is all draped in PPG Orange with a hint of gold pearl just to add some depth. A nifty little sidebar is a hardtop which comes off to have some open air motoring. The rear retains its original shape but utilizes '37 Ford tail lights that are masterfully sculpted into the bulbous rear fender and complete the curvaceous line of the car on the back. 16-inch in front and 17-inch on the rear Boyds polished wheels wrapped in low profile radials hide neatly under the fenders courtesy the bagged suspension...Low rider!
Interior
Swinging the suicides, we see custom molded door panels with tight square stitched broadcloth coverings, neat cranks and handles and some leather accent panels. Slipping inside, our bottoms are glad handed by custom leather two tone seats with light inserts and tan bolsters. The rear bench stays in tune with the buckets and starts a custom orange center console which races forward to the dash. In the center a B&M shifter with a flamed orange ball topper protrudes from the console. Up front is a custom molded dash with white faced AutoMeter gauges and black bezels which have been carefully molded into the metal body matching orange dash. A leather wrapped custom billet style steering wheel with a large chromed column that is adjustable grows from the dash and can be adjusted for any size driver. Broadcloth for the headliner which matches the door panels, and pristine tan carpet floods the floors.
Drivetrain
A consigner stated 355ci V8 with dual 4-barrel Edelbrock carbs and aftermarket aluminum heads sits within an amazing simple engine bay that shows no hoses! This engine is sporting a blower, and all is gleaming and bright within the orange engine bay. On back is a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, and at the rear is a Ford 9-inch 3.73 TracLoc axle.
Undercarriage
Plenty of customization under here, with super strong frame, body hangers, floor pans and a fabricated fuel cell. This is all painted orange and has shiny metal accenting. A Heidts Mustang II front suspension and rear 4 link with airbags on the rear are seen, as well as headers snaking from the sides of the engine which melt into stainless steel exhaust and stainless mufflers. Power disc brakes for all 4 corners, and the underneath we can just say orange ya glad you looked??!
Drive-Ability
With the 355 cubes and the blower it cranks a bit but once it fires it is music to a motorhead's ears. Throw that B&M into gear and the test track begs me and my faithful sidekick to come and wear off some rubber. This car handles great, rides beautifully, and has neck snapping acceleration. Awesome stopping power and is comfortable. The A/C is installed but is non operable due to a lack of an installed compressor. There was also no power steering which is the way the car was built, but we negotiated slow parking turns and cornering without an issue. If you get tired of the melodious tunes from the engine, you can listen to one of 12 discs you can insert into the CD player. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
"JUICED" would be our total emotional and visual impression with the color, customization, and interior, and that simple gleaming engine with no seen hoses, (how'd he do that??!). A Chevrolet that lives up to its name and then some.... "Special"
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
