Classic Cars and Trucks / Photos Specs Model History, Production Numbers

1935 Ford 5 Window Coupe

The 1935 Ford Coupe is one of the most popular hot rod cars that came out of the 1930’s. The car shown in this article is a reproduction 35 Ford 5 Window Coupe. The design of the 35 coupes speak of speed. Design for the 1935 models had a more rounded look than the 34’s.When you look back over the Ford models of 1933 and 1934 you can see that the design became progressively smoother and sleeker.

1935 Ford Advertising

Ford advertising for the 1935 models spoke of their cars having a “personality“. They implied that every new design put into the new 1935 look was part of the overall cars personality. Ford felt that the 1935 designs carried a very well groomed look. One example pointed out was the new curve designed into the cars “bullet headlamps.” Much was also touted regarding the newly designed bumper guards and grille. The said that their new 1935 models were “sturdy fine cars“. Ford advertising pointed out that design of the vehicles rear end is as pleasing as that of the front end. Every line of the car has been designed to carry to a logically designed conclusion all the way to the sloping rear end and the baked enamel finish was made even better than that of 1934.

ford 5 window coupe — 35 Ford Coupe sloped rear end

Engine and Improvements

Ford’s 1935 models all had an improved engine with a better built crankshaft and an efficient crankcase ventilation system which Ford named “direct flow“. In 1935 Ford moved the engine forward on the chassis 8 1/2 inches. Ford touted that the move forward distributed the weight much better front to back. With the engine moved further forward the frames were redesigned as well. The new frame design also moved the passenger seating forward which centered passenger weight more toward the cars midpoint. Because of these weight distribution changes, the 1935 Fords were built with longer chassis springs. The spring base was increased 6 1/2 inches.

1935 ford 5 window coupe — Classy designed grille

The V-8 Ford engine in the 1935 models 221.0 cid putting out a top range of 85 horsepower. The wheelbase was 112.0 inches and the car’s weight varied between 2,400 and 3,000 pounds.The new car price at the time was anywhere from $500 to $900 depending on accessories and add ons.

Suspension in both the front and rear stayed the same from 1934 with a single transverse leaf spring both front and rear. The 1935 Fords were the last with wire wheels.

Running boards were specially designed to drain water. To help with ventilation, rear windows were made to easily open and close. The gas cap was recessed in the rear lamp bracket.

1935 ford coupe grille — 1935 Ford Coupe sleek front end design

In 1935 Ford made big strides with their all aluminum cylinder heads. One advantage Ford pointed out was that the aluminum cylinder heads meant better engine power efficiency and as a result better fuel efficiency.

Interiors

Regarding the interior of Ford’s 1935 models, Ford suggested that the new Fords were in every way a man’s car but it took a woman to appreciate the finish and detail. Ford would advertise that their upholstery was of the finest quality available and that the car’s dashboard was as practical as a “ships control room.”

Also included were neatly tailored imitation leather sun visors, a rear window shade, a revolving ash tray on the dashboard, a roomy hand glove compartment and an electrically operated oil gauge. Behind the rear seat was a baggage compartment. Ford claimed that the hardware used for interior door handles were of the quality found in much pricier cars.

Also, see our AutoMuseumOnline photo articles on the 1931 Ford Model A Roadster ……the 1931 Chevy Coupe…and a Restored 1937 Ford Club Coupe

1935 ford coupe interior — Beautifully restored interior

Hot Rods

The 1935 Ford Coupe is one of the best hot rod models of that decade. In fact, the very design of the 1935 model suits itself well as a hot rod. On the street and at car shows today you’ll see many of the 1935 to 1937 models modified as hot rods or street rods. They make great hot rod projects. Interestingly enough, some restorers are still lucky enough to find and old 1935-1937 model sitting an old barn somewhere and if and when they’re found they usually are snapped up pretty fast. Street rod kits are easily found to start a project. Many are available for the Ford 1935’s through 37’s.

(Photos from author’s collection)

Chevy Bel Air

The 1950’s were a defining decade for Chevrolet. In particular, the years 1955 to 1957 were significant for Chevrolet in terms of design. From these years, the 1955 was a pure design overhaul. The 1956 Chevys were not much changed. The 1957 Chevy represented probably the boldest design change. The best sales years during this period were both 1955 and 1957. Consequently, those two best selling years are also the most sought after models by collectors.

The decade of the 1950’s was a big one for Chevrolet. “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” was the Dinah Shore theme song for her popular television variety show which first came on the air in 1956. Chevrolet remained a sponsor of Dinah Shore into the early 1960’s.

The 1955 Chevy Bel Air

They say that the top of the line 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was a new car from the ground up. The 55 Chevy was introduced with the word “Motoramic” styling. This was a term coined by General Motors. It was meant to portray a truly modern styled car. In addition to a powerful V-8 engine, the 1955 Chevy showed the first idea of a tail fin. The overall design could be called subtle. The engine itself came with many new features including lightweight aluminum pistons and a tougher forged steel crankshaft. Total production of six and eight cylinder models combined was about 801,000 units.

The cars were available in both two and four door models, convertibles and in a station wagon. Interestingly enough, the term “Motoramic” was dropped just after the first year. Because of that, many people outside of avid collectors never heard of it.

The 1956 Chevy Bel Air

Compared to the 1955 Chevy, the 56 model year Chevrolet Bel Air had a wider grille, a heavier designed front bumper and headlights lids that stood out a bit more. The 56 Chevy was light because of it’s small block V-8. The 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air came with a “Powerglide” two speed automatic transmission. Improved suspension on both the front and rear ends made for improved handling. Other changes in 1956 included a slightly different dashboard, a hidden gas filler cap in the rear fin, and more colors, trim and fabrics to choose from. There were seven different 56 Bel Air models available including a new Sport Sedan.

1956 chevy interior — 56 Chevy interior and dash

The Chevrolet slogan for the 56 model Bel Air was “The Hot One is Even Hotter“. This obviously referred to the great acceptance and solid sales with the 55 Chevy.

Total 1956 Bel Air production totals were about 693,000 units.

See our photo articles on the 1955-57 Ford Thunderbirds and the 1954 Chevy Advance Design Truck.

The 1957 Chevy Bel Air

Here was the Chevrolet model that made a big statement. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air hit the showrooms with a new bold look. The most significant change at first glance were the prominent new tail fins. This appears to be the first thing many think of when referring to the 57 Chevy. The engine was a 283 cubic inch compared to the former 265 cid V-8. Chevrolet touted it’s new engine as the only production car engine putting out one horsepower for every cubic inch displacement.

An interesting note about the 57 Chevy was that, despite strong sales, Ford did outsell Bel Air in that model year. Most attribute this to Chevy’s new tubeless tires that year which hit a confused public. Many questioned the safety of the tubeless tire while at the same time not really understanding the concept. As a result Ford took some sales away. Ford had also come out with a new design in 1957 and this too eroded some of Chevy’s sales. In retrospect, the sales figures back in 1957 where Ford won fail to reflect today’s high collector popularity of the 57 Bel Airs. Although all mid 1950’s Chevy Bel Airs are popular collector cars, the 57 Chevy is the most popular collector model during the years of the “Hot Ones” from 1955 to 1957. Many have said that the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is the most popular used car in history. As the old Chevy ad of 1957 stated, the car was “sweet, smooth and sassy“.

1957 chevrolet bel air tail fin — 1957 Chevy Bel Air tail fin

Total 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air production totals were about 720,000 units. Included in this total are 264,000 four door sedans and about 48,000 two door convertibles.

The best selling Chevrolets during the 1950’s were the sedans. The sedans that came with six cylinder engines, particularly the four door sedans, were the largest sellers overall. The 1955 model year represented the biggest design change in post World War Two styling.

(Photos from author’s private collection)

1941 Willys

The 1941 Willy’s-Overland Motors Americar

Shown in this article is a beautifully restored 1941 Americar Coupe manufactured by Toledo Ohio based Willy’s-Overland Motors from 1939 until 1942. The 41 Willys Americar was the last of the line prior to the United States entering World War Two. By order of President Franklin Roosevelt, all U.S. automakers were prohibited from producing civilian automobiles for the duration of the war. In the case of Willy’s-Overland Motors, their Americar models never returned.

The 1941 Americar attributes were created after Joseph W. Frazer joined Willy’s-Overland Motors as president in 1939. This was the Joseph Frazer who partnered in 1947 with Henry J. Kaiser in the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation The Americar was engineered by Barney Roos.

1941 willys americar coupe — Twin rear windows of the 1941 Americar

Americar Was the Last of a Line

The 1941 Willys Americar in this article is a coupe. Willy’s Overland Motors did produce station wagons, coupes and pickup trucks based on the Americar model. The Americar came after the Willy’s 77. The Willy’s 77 was introduced in 1933, the same year that the company went into receivership, with it’s economical four cylinder engine putting out 45 HP.

The Willy’s-Overland Motors car model prior to the Willy’s 77 was the Willy’s Whippet. Willy’s Whippet came out in 1926 as a replacement for the Overland brand. The Whippet had a four cylinder engine delivering about 35 HP. The Whippet engine was considered quite well designed for the 1920’s. The cars were priced from about $525 to $800 which made them relatively inexpensive. At the same time, the Whippets were sturdy, economical to operate, dependable and fast. They were popular when they were introduced.

willys coupe — Front grille design on 41 Willys

John N. Willys developed the Whippet to be a new brand for light, fast, economical, stylishly designed, and inexpensive cars. The Whippet had some good featured over it’s cheaper Ford competitor. The Whippet had four wheel brakes, forced lubrication and a water pump. The car was both compact and roomy. With a wheelbase of 100 inches, the Whippet was a bit larger than the Ford Model T. The Whippet was the third best selling car in the United States in 1928.Thus, with the beginnings of the Willy’s Whippet in the 1920’s to the 1941 Americar, we have the Pre-World War II history of Willy’s-Overland Motors non-military line of passenger cars. The next passenger cars would be Willy’s in 1952.

Americar Specs

The 41 Willys Americar had 22,000 units sold in 1941 and an additional 7,000 units in 1942. The car sold for a bit over $600. The Americar had a 104.0 inch wheelbase and was 170.0 inches in length. The car’s weight was in the area of 2,300 pounds and had a 134.2 cid engine.

willys americar interior — Interior of 1941 Americar Coupe

Three different models of the Americar were offered. They included the Speedway, DeLuxe and the Plainsman. The Speedway and Plainsman came as either a sedan or coupe. The DeLuxe also came as a four door woody wagon.

Three additional AutoMuseumOnline photo articles you’ll enjoy are on the links below..

The Historic Willys MB 1942 Chevrolet Town Sedan A Beautiful 1950 Willys Station Wagon

Willy’s-Overland Motors After World War II

Although the Americar model disappeared during and after World War Two, Willys-Overland Motors was the beneficiary of a lucrative military contract with the U.S. government during the war. To give you an idea of just how lucrative the government war contract was, in 1939 Willys-Overland had about $9 million in sales. In 1944 they had over $200 million in sales.

We all remember the famous Willys Jeep. The model was designated the Willys MB and had the well liked and very powerful “Go Devil” engine. The two automakers engaged in military passenger vehicle work during the war were Ford and Willys-Overland Motors.

41 willys nameplate — Americar nameplate

After World War Two, Willy’s developed the CJ model which was the civilian model of the Willys MB of the war years. After the war, Ford had sued Willys for use of the term “Jeep” but was unsuccessful. American Bantam who lost out on the government war contracts (only 2,600 American Bantams were built for the government) also sued Willys over the Jeep name. Most people believe that it was American Bantam that actually designed the jeep. Willys gained full right to the name after American Bantam went out of business in 1950. The first post war military Jeep was built in 1950.

In 1953, Henry J. Kaiser bought Willys-Overland and changed the name to Willys Motor Company. Eventually the company would become Kaiser-Jeep. The Willys name and product line were discontinued in 1965.

(Photos from author’s collection)