Hot Rods 1940s Chevys as Daily Driver. Whats Your Pick?

Hey everyone
I'm musing over my next project as I'm starting to come into the means to afford another one!

I'm thinking about a mild 1940s Chevy street rod project as a daily driver. Stock body with a few predictable upgrades (SBC, mustang 2 or Jag front end, seat belts etc). I'd rather salvage something a little rough rather than modifying something nice. A little rust never hurt anyone.

I ask the jury to consider: Of the Chevy coupes and Aerosedans of the 1940s, is there one that sticks out as the most logical candidate for such a project? I particularly like the look of the 1940 with the running boards and more humped trunk lid. I also dig the late 40s Aerosedans without the skirts and a bit of a street rod rake. I know they made a lot of them - 500k roughly? compared to 40k roughly of the 1940 coupe. The Aerosedans seem visually a lot larger, but I'm guessing that's just the effect of the roof line and doesn't translate to more space inside. Also, the coupes after 1940 (sans running boards), are they bigger inside? Do they have more trunk space? I'm thinking 5 seater vehicles here. The business coupes, while having more trunk space, lack the rear seating I need.

I was originally considering a 1955 210, but I quite dig the 40s aesthetic these days.

Its not easy to rock up to your local dealership and compare these vehicles, so I'd like to ask here what peoples opinions and experiences have been. Consider trunk size, front and rear passenger comfort, visibility, suggested safety mods, etc. Any random thoughts on the matter are welcome.

 

My '40 Chevy street rod from the 60's...stages of progression based on my wallet...

 

Aerosedan, already looks like a custom

 

My 48 Fleetmaster has about all the room inside, trunk space is good, one of the easiest cars to modernize with the top hat frame. I updated my coupe without ever taking any sheet metal off the car. Back seat was easy to install shoulder harness for grand kids too. This car goes down the freeway at any speed but still drives in town wonderfully and runs 180 all the time. The only drawback I find is that they don't hold any value after you update them so they have to be a car you really want and like.

 

Great ride man! Whats the motor and suspension setup? Also interested in this top hat frame and how it helps with upgrades.

 

That looks absolutely wicked!

 

My pic would look sit like this.
235 full pressure and 3spd OD.

a touch lower in the rear though
Could go after performance with a 261.
Mmmmmmm

then ya got stuff like this

double mmmmm

 

Sinister. I dig it!

 

Don't know who might be riding in the back seat, but that business coupe would not be back seat friendly for older kids or tall people.

For me, a true daily driver would have to be the Aerosedan with a back up camera for backing up (you will thank me later). More space for 5 people and their stuff.

 

Yes that high rear window ain't gonna help much for reverse parking. But a camera is an easy install. More space, what about trunk space? They look about the same to my eyes.

 

I've never had either, but the Aerosedan sure looks like the truck space should have plenty of space for the things 5 adults would bring along in a daily driver. The business coupe will have more trunk space, but less room for people, especially in the back seat head room area.

I like the look of the business coupe better (I have a Plymouth version), but there is not room for two (read that as no room for any) passengers behind the front seat, its got a 6' deep trunk though. The question you need to answer is how often do you think you will need that back seat space for passengers.

 

The aerosedan are more expensive than the coupes it seems. A 2 dr sedan is less than a coupe. What about a truck? More useful for hauling stuff, less useful for hauling people. Earlier 40s trucks are smaller cabs than later AD trucks 47-55.1

 

Yes, its the question to ask. The reality is - not often. No kids that I'm aware of, but the back seat comes in handy occasionally. Business coupes have all that extra trunk space on chevys too. The standard coupe has a back seat, I just wonder how comfortable it is. A little cramped ain't a huge issue.

 

My vote would be the aerosedan for having the best looks for room.

 

My Aerosedan (Fleetline) in Australia. They are all as big as a Holden HQ inside, enough to fit 6 live ones and about 3 dead ones in the boot. Local RHD 4 door sedans come up for sale occasionally, Holden HK-T-G front ends fit. Bit of a tank to use as a daily driver, but if you don't have to go into the city everyday, you'll be fine.

 

Since we're looking at other 40's Chevys, here was my '46..and it had a back seat!

 

I would say that anytime you add rear seating, you have to give up trunk space. The reason I went back to a 40 Ford coupe, the sedan hauls people but the trunk with a spare is tight. I never hauled people much so the trunk space was more important. Stock suspension is great on those Chevy's so if the steering box isn't worn out, use the stock suspension. There is no X member so putting in another trans is easy.

 

I would go with a rebuild stock suspension program.
Forget about transplant surgery.
I'm a fan of back seat comfort

 

I mean they were daily drivers when they were fresh and new. Bring it back to fresh and new then you'll have a period correct daily driver.

 

There are a few advocates of the stock front end here. That's cool. I rebuilt a stock front end on the 53 Chevy in the photo. Needle roller idler arm, new kingpins, tie rods, needle roller upgrade on the worm gear, bigger sway bar. Still handled terribly no matter what I did. Allegedly this is not uncommon with 53/54s. I drove a friends bone stock 46 Buick with stock suspension and it was real nice.

 

If I had to narrow it down to only 1940's era Chevy cars, then the only one I'd choose would be the 1940 Chevy coupe!
After 1940 the 1941 lost exposed running boards, and got those ugly (to my eyes) doors that bulged out at the bottom to cover the running boards. And after WWII all of the Chevys got bulbous and just don't appeal to me like pre WWII cars do.
I personally would rather have any year of the 1930's Chevy coupes, but if stuck with 40's it's gonna be a 1940. But I like my '39 Chevy much more than my '40 Chevy!

 

I've always been partial to the Aero Sedan but wouldn't pass up a 46-48 Coupe.

 

Just sayin'. Not a believer in needles for steering joints.
Not much experience with 53-4s, tho.

 

Why limit your search to Chev? Most cars of that era are dimensionally similar.

 

Almost perfect.

just a little lower in the back

 

W

I dig the running boards too. What do you prefer regarding your 39 over your 40?

 

I live in the city! But I don't have to drive every day at least. That's a wicked ride.