From the perspective of automobile history, the 1940s was an interrupted decade: during World War II, automobile manufacturers turned to making war materials and stopped making cars. Beginning January 1, 1942, priority for natural resources went to the military. February 28, 1942 was the last day most civilians could buy a new car until the war ended. To conserve gasoline for the war effort, a national speed limit of 40 mph was established.
Following the War, car sales boomed. For the most part, automobile designs immediately following the War were similar to the pre-war designs. By the end of the decade, new designs were beginning to emerge. In 1949, Cadillac and Oldsmobile introduced the modern V8 engine.
The LeMay Family Collections at Marymount in Tacoma, Washington is the Northwest’s largest automobile collection. There are more than 1,500 vehicles in the collection. The museum is on historic grounds of former Marymount Military Academy and vehicles are displayed and stored in three buildings. Shown below are some of the cars from the 1940s.
1940 Packard Darrin Convertible Victoria
These cars were a favorite of the Hollywood set and sold new for $4,570. It has an inline 8-cylinder, 356 cubic inch, 145 horsepower engine.
1940 Cadillac Series 90 Convertible Sedan
Of the 51 1940 Series 90 V16 Cadillacs produced, only two were convertibles. This car sold new for $5,795. It has a V16, 432 cubic inch, 185 horsepower engine.
1941 Graham Hollywood 4-Door Sedan, Model 109
The 1940 and 1941 had the same body style: 2,509 were produced in 1940 and 350 in 1941. This car sold new for $1,250. Graham became a part of Kaiser-Frazer in 1944.
1942 Lincoln Continental
Production stopped on February 28, 1942, and only 200 were built. This car sold new for $3,174. It has a V12, 292 cubic inch, 130 horsepower engine.
1942 Chrysler Windsor Highlander
The Highlander was a special interior package with Scottish tartan upholstery. This car sold new for $1,420 and a total of 574 were produced. It has an inline 6-cyliner, 250 cubic inch, 120 horsepower engine.
1947 Chrysler New Yorker
This is a continuation of the pre-war design. In 1947, a total of 109,135 Chryslers were produced. This car has a V8, 350 cubic inch, 150 horsepower engine.
1947 Packard Super Clipper Sedan
This car sold new for $2,391. A total of 4,892 were produced. It has an inline 8-cylinder, 356 cubic inch, 165 horsepower engine.
1947 Dodge Woodie Station Wagon
This car sold new for $1,500. It was based on the Dodge ½ ton truck chassis. It has an inline 6-cyliner, 218 cubic inch, 95 horsepower engine with 3- or 4-speed floor-mounted manual transmission.
1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Custom Woody Station Wagon
Only 10,171 of these cars were made in 1948. It has a V8, 350 cubic inch, 325 horsepower engine.
1948 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
Sedan Deliveries were used by small businesses. It has an inline 6-cylinder, 292 cubic inch, 210 horsepower engine.
1949 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special
This was the top-of-the-line Cadillac and sold new for $3,829. A total of 11,339 were produce. It has a V8, 331 cubic inch, 160 horsepower engine.
More cars
Packard Museum: The 1940s (photo diary)
America's Car Museum: Some cars of the 1940s (photo diary)
Car Show: Cars from the 1940s (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1940s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Marmon Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1940s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1940s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 201: 1941 Automobiles (Photo Diary)