1942 Ford Super DeLuxe Six Tudor Sedan, Series 2GA
Original price: $1,183.00 with options; base price: $1,105.00
On loan from: Myron Smith, Lincoln, NE He purchased the car in 1976 from the original owner.
Original owner: Guy Geiselman, Holdrege, NE, 1942 – 1976
Number made: NA
Engine etc.: L-head, 6 cyl.; 225.8 cu. in., 90 hp.; options: heater ($27.50) and radio ($49.50); 114 in. wheelbase; 3,179 lbs.
This car was part of a very limited model year cut short by World War II. Buying a new car in 1942 required permission from the U. S. government. Production of military equipment took priority and all cars were rationed Documents in the picture frame by this car include the ration card used to acquire the car, the original check used to pay for it, and the original invoice.
The 1942 Fords were introduced on September 21, 1941 and only 160,211 were built before World War II erupted and brought civilian automobile production to a halt. They had fresh styling and a longer wheelbase that the previous year’s models.
The Deluxe models had a glove box lock, dual windshield wipers, two interior sun visors, a left-hand front door armrest, a steering wheel with a full-circle horn ring, crank-operated front vent windows, and black-painted wheels. Only the center grille portion had chrome. They had bright trim on the running board edges and chrome grille sections. Super Deluxe script was on the left front fender. There was a light in the trunk, a clock on the glove box, and a unique license plate guard. Wheels had either vermillion or silver grey striping. Wheel covers matched the body paint and trim rings were standard. An oil filter could be added for $6.14. Other options were a passenger side mirror, seat covers, and fog lights.
The chassis was redesigned with fully concealed running boards, new front fenders, and a new hood. Headlights were flush with the front fenders and parking lights were above the grille. The grille was mid-point between the 1941 models three-piece look and the post-war wide single-piece grille. The transition to a wartime economy brought many substitutes of materials used in 1942 models. These included plastic interior components and the replacement of nickel in valves, gears, and shafts with molybdenum.
The new Fords looked longer and more massive with ride comfort improved with longer springs.
Sources:
https://classics.autotrader.com/articles/the-rarest-pre-war-ford-1942-x-ray-chassis
http://classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=4507&year=1942&model=8435
Additional information:
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1942%20Ford/1942%20Ford%20Foldout/index1.html (Original foldout sales brochure)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1942%20Ford/1942%20Ford%20Full%20Line%20brochure%20(9-41)/index1.html (Original brochure, full line)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1942%20Ford/1942%20Ford%20Salesman’s%20Reference%20Manual/index1.html (Original salesman’s reference manual)