World War II car production years?

Even prior to the War, imported cars were coming over with wooden tyres, as the Reich had already determined what they were to do, apparently.

Not that there WERE many German cars being imported prior to WWII, yet there was a determined clientele even then.

As to production, I was under the impression (given by my father, a farmer who failed the physical due to a heart murmur) that 1942MY cars remained unsold to give doctors and other essential personnel a vehicle in the case of demonstrated need. So this would mean that any 'new' car sold in 1943-44-45 was an unsold 1942MY car, stored for that purpose.

Not sure about pickup conversions to get extra rationing (as farmers, we got the extra), but there were a lot of them done.

As a slight humorous note, after the war, farmers obviously needed to upgrade their trucks. Well, as to my own area, the Chevrolet dealer was quite obviously much more successful than any nearby Ford dealer, as I cannot recall seeing ANY late 40's early 50's Fords, whereas the farms and fields were littered with AD Chevys.

Cosmo

 

For the US, WW2 began when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

At that time the 1942 models were already in production, and had been since September. Car makers switched to making "blackout" models with minimal chrome trim to save on copper chromium and nickel, all strategic materials in short supply.

In February 1942 civilian production of cars and trucks was halted. All unsold new cars from dealers lots and manufacturers inventories were put into bonded warehouses. From there they could be rationed out as necessary. Some were converted into stretch limousines to be used as buses to ferry war workers to their factory jobs. Others were requisitioned official government or military use.

Doctors and veterinarians were considered essential workers who could get a new car if it was absolutely necessary. These were sold at a fixed price.

Farmers could also get a new car or truck. There were government boards who investigated applications on a case by case basis, and could approve the sale of a car or truck if they agreed it was absolutely necessary, and in the interest of the war effort.

The big buildup of the military took place between December 1941 and June 1944 when the Allied invasion of France took place. By the end of 1944 it was clear the Nazis were finished and the war was winding down. In early 1945 car makers started tooling up for civilian production. VE day was in April 1945 and VJ day in August. After that, new cars slowly became available. They were recycled prewar models at first. Many came off the line with no bumpers or spare tires. They had black painted wooden 2X6 bumpers and a bare spare wheel in the trunk.

A few months later as shortages eased, you went back to the dealer to have bumpers and spare tire installed.

During the period of February 1942 and the end of 1944 a few cars were built, probably assembled from prewar parts stocks. All went to the military or government departments. I think a few hundred Fords were made. These were the only new cars made at that time.

Meanwhile many thousands of trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles were made for the war.