By 1941, the American automobile industry was beginning to emerge from the disastrous decade of the 1930s, an era in which the Great Depression had caused many automobile manufacturers to go out of business. Then came World War II, and in February 1942, all automobile production in the United States came to a halt. The automobiles of 1941 thus mark the end of an era in American automobile production.
Shown below are some of the 1941 automobiles displayed in some automobile museums.
Lincoln
In 1941, Lincolns came in three series: Zephyr, Continental, and Custom.
Shown above is a 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. It featured a V-12 engine and had a price tag of $2,778. This car is on display in the Montana Auto Museum.
Shown above: 1941 Lincoln Zephyr. This car is on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
Shown above is a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr. This car had a V-12 engine, weighed 3,640 pounds, and sold new for $1,450. This car is on display in the the Classic Auto Museum—The Flathead V8 Ford Collection.
Ford
Shown above is a 1941 Ford GP (“Jeep”). This car is on display in the the Classic Auto Museum—The Flathead V8 Ford Collection.
According to the display:
“The engine is from the 2N Ford tractor. It was under powered, so it didn’t get the contract with the government.”
Mercury
The Mercury was Edsel Ford’s idea and it was first introduced in 1938 to compete with the Dodge De Luxe, Pontiac De Luxe Eight, and Studebaker Commander. By 1941, the Mercury was clearly a success.
Shown above is a 1941 Mercury Opera Coupe. This car is on display in the World of Speed.
Chevrolet
Shown above is a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Coupe. It was longer, lower, and wider than earlier models; runningboards were replaced with concealing safety steps. It sold for $800. This car is on display in the Montana Auto Museum.
Shown above: 1941 Chevrolet Coupe. This car is on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
Packard
Packard Motor Car Company was founded in 1899 and made cars until 1958. The company later became Studebaker-Packard Corporation.
Shown above is a 1941 Packard 110 Special Touring Sedan. It sold for $1,136. This car is on display in the Montana Auto Museum.
Shown above: 1941 Packard Model 120. This car is on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
Shown above is a 1941 Packard 160 Straight 8 4-door Sedan. This car is on display in the Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana.
Nash
Nash Motors Company manufactured cars from 1916 to 1937. In 1937, it became the automotive division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation.
Shown above: 1941 Nash Model 4145 Business Coupe. This car is on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum.
Shown above is a 1941 Nash Ambassador Eight. The Nash Ambassador Eight shown below had a new price of $1,051. This car is on display in the LeMay Family Collection.
More Automobiles
LeMay Family Collection: An Overview (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1940s in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1950s in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Post-War Ford Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Luxury Cars of the 1930s
Old Cars: The 1940s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1940s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1930s (Photo Diary)