American Car Spotters Guide - 1942

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Although 1942 models had been introduced, as usual, in the late summer and autumn of the previous year, all production of civilian cars came to a halt on 9 February 1942.

Production of civilian trucks halted on 3 March, the day after civilian car rationing commenced. Gasoline (petrol) rationing and a national speed limit followed, in order to conserve fuel and rubber.

On the last day of 1941 the Automotive Council for War Production had been set up with the aim of applying the facilities of the automotive industry to all-out war production.

Chrysler stepped up its production of tanks, spending $40 million on plant expansion, Ford opened the Willow Run Michigan Bomber Plant in May, General Motors produced countless items of war material including Chevrolet and GMC trucks, Nash-Kelvinator produced aircraft engines, helicopters, etc.

Pontiac was the first automobile manufacturer to win the Navy 'E' Award, Chrysler's Tank Arsenal the first to win the Army-Navy 'E', which superseded it. Total value of arms produced by the automotive industry in 1942 was $4,665 million.
1942 Buick
USA

Buick

  Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick
 
Buick range had entirely new body styling. One-piece hood (bonnet) could be opened at either side and was quickly removable altogether.
1942 Buick War Time Advertisement
USA

Buick

  Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick
 
War-time Buick advertisement, showing 1942 Roadmaster Series 70 Convertible (Model 76-C). Super Model 56-C was similar in appearance but had 124-in vs 129-inch wheelbase.
1942 Buick Special Series 40
USA

Buick Special Series 40

  Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick
 
Buick Special Series 40 was cheapest range, on 118-inch wheelbase. Pictured left is the Model 48 Sedanet. Originally Buick offered 23 individual models for 1942, in six lines (Special, Extra Special (121-inch wheelbase), Super, Century, Roadmaster and Limited). Later this was reduced to 14 models. This 'H1942' range included seven Specials, three Supers, two Century's and three Roadmasters.
1942 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75
USA

Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75

  Also see: Cadillac Car Reviews | The History of Cadillac
 
Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 136-inch wheelbase Touring Sedan could be supplied with Formal Division (glass partition). It was Cadillac's top-line.
1942 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five
USA

Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five

  Also see: Cadillac Car Reviews | The History of Cadillac
 
Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five with special coachwork, in use by the British RAF in the Far East (1948).
1942 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
USA

Cadillac Series 62 Convertible

  Also see: Cadillac Car Reviews | The History of Cadillac
 
Cadillac Series 62 Convertible. Fenders shown appeared on all 1942 Cadillacs, except Series 75 Convertible had full-width rear-seat. Series 61, 62, 63, 67 and 68 had Fisher bodies with Fleetwood interior styling.
1942 Chevrolet
USA

Chevrolet

  Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet
 
Chevrolet came in three series: BG Master DeLuxe, BH Special DeLuxe and Fleetline. Shown is a BG four-door sedan as used by the USMC. Wheel hub covers and other bright metal trim (except bumpers) of all US cars were painted instead of chrome as from 1 January 1942, by Government order.
1942 Chevrolet BH Special DeLuxe Coupe
USA

Chevrolet DeLuxe Coupe

  Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet
 
Chevrolet BH Special DeLuxe Coupe Compared with 1941 the radiator grille was new and the front fenders extended onto the doors.
1942 Chrysler Royal Town and Country

 

USA

Chrysler Royal

  Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler
 
Chrysler Royal C-345 and Windsor C-34W (pictured left with Town & Country 6 or 9-seater bodywork) had 6-cyl. 250·6 CID engine and 121½-inch wheelbase. Fluid Drive and Vacamatic semi-auto. transmission were standard.

 



1942 Chrysler Saratoga
USA

Chrysler Saratoga

  Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler
 
The Chrysler Saratoga C-36K and New Yorker C-36N had 8-cylinder 323·5 CID engine and 127½-inch wheelbase. A horizontal wrap around grille theme, long hoods and concealed running boards were identifying characteristics of the short lived 1942 models. By February, 1942, Chrysler plants had halted production of passenger cars for civilian use and had turned completely to wartime work.
1942 Chrysler Chrysler Crown Imperial
USA

Chrysler Crown Imperial

  Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler
 
Chrysler Crown Imperial C-37 had 145½-inch wheelbase and 8-in-line engine. Only 448 Imperials had been made when civilian car production stopped in February 1942.
1942 DeSoto Custom 5-10
USA

DeSoto

  Also see: The History of DeSoto
 
DeSoto DeLuxe 5-10 and Custom 5-10 constituted the 1942 model range, and were available with various body styles, all on a 121½-inch wheelbase and powered by 236·7 CID 115-bhp L-head engine.
1942 DeSoto Custom 5-10
USA

DeSoto

  Also see: The History of DeSoto
  DeSoto 1942 had 'Airfoil' headlights which in daytime were concealed behind sliding panels.
1942 Dodge Custom D-22C
USA

Dodge

  Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge
 
Dodge marketed two lines, the DeLuxe D-22S and the Custom D-22C. 68,522 of these 1942 models were produced until Dodge converted entirely to military truck production, chiefly the ¾-ton 4 x 4 'Beep'.
1942 Dodge Dodge DeLuxe D-22S Coupe
USA

Dodge DeLuxe Coupe

  Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge
 
Dodge DeLuxe D-22S '3-Window' Coupe. All models were available with Fluid Drive transmission.
1942 Dodge Military Staff Car
USA

Dodge Military Staff Car

  Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge
 
Dodge 1942 Sedan used by the military as a staff car. Note painted 'brightwork' instead of chrome (except bumpers) and blackout masks on headlights.
1942 Ford 21 A-73B Super DeLuxe Fordor Sedan
USA

Ford 21 A-73B Super DeLuxe Fordor Sedan

  Also see: Ford Car Reviews | The History of Ford
 
There were four series: 21A Super DeLuxe (V8), 21A DeLuxe (V8), 2GA DeLuxe (Six), and 2GA Special (Six). Both engines developed 90 bhp and all had 114-inch wheelbase. Body styles numbered 14.
1942 Ford DeLuxe Fordor Sedan Military Special
USA

Ford 21 A-73B Super DeLuxe Fordor Sedan

  Also see: Ford Car Reviews | The History of Ford
 
Ford 21 A DeLuxe Fordor Sedan, used by British Forces in North Africa. Military modifications included 9'00-13 desert tires, equipment racks and brackets, and a canvas-covered observation hatch in the roof.
1942 Hudson Super Six, Model 21
USA

Hudson Super Six

  Also see: The History of Hudson
 
1942 Hudsons differed from 1941 models only in minor details. Only 5396 Hudson cars and 67 commercials were delivered in 1942.
1942 - The Last War Time Hudson
USA

Hudson

  Also see: The History of Hudson
 
Hudson stopped production of civilian cars on 5 February. Shown is the last one 'for the duration'. Most of the brightwork had austere paint finish.
1942 Lincoln Continental 26H Cabriolet Model 56
USA

Lincoln

  Also see: Lincoln Car Reviews | The History of Lincoln
 
Lincoln-Zephyr 26H had a V12 L-head engine, restyled front end, and was optionally available with Liquamatic Drive automatic gearshift. The Lincoln Continental 26H Cabriolet Model 56, was one of Ford's top-line models. Its shipping weight was 4020 lb, price US$3169. The Coupe, Model 57, weighed 20 lb less but sold at same price.
1942 Mercury 29A Station Wagon
USA

Mercury

  Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury
 
Mercury 29A had 118-inch wheelbase and was available as Sedan (29A-70), Sedan Coupe (72), Town Sedan (73), Club Convertible (76), 5-Window Coupe (77) and Station Wagon (79).
1942 Mercury 9th Australian Division, Middle East
USA

Mercury

  Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury
 
Mercury 29A-76 with desert tires, used by 9th Australian Division in Middle East. Photo was taken at Gaza aerodrome, Palestine, in 1942.
1942 Nash 600 Model 4240 Sedan
USA

Nash

  Also see: Nash Car Reviews | The History of Nash
 
Nash 600, Model 4240 Sedan was one of five body styles available Wheelbase was 112 inches, engine 6-cyl. L-head. This sedan sold at US$993.
1942 Nash Ambassador
USA

Nash Ambassador

  Also see: Nash Car Reviews | The History of Nash
 
Nash Ambassador, last 'pre-war' model to come off the assembly line. The date was February 4, 1942.
1942 Oldsmobile 98 Dynamic Cruiser Sedan
USA

Oldsmobile

  Also see: Oldsmobile Car Reviews | The History of Oldsmobile
 
Oldsmobile had five series for the 1942 model year: 6-cyl. 66 and 76, 8-cyl. 68, 78 and 98. Prices ranged from US$984 to US$1307. Shown is a Hydramatic-equipped 98 Dynamic Cruiser Sedan.
1942 Packard Clipper 180
USA

Packard

  Also see: Packard Car Reviews | The History of Packard
 
The Packard Clipper 180 was first introduced in 1941 and carried-over for 1942 model year. The 1946 Clipper was to be similar in appearance to 1941/42 model, the main exception being the radiator grille.
1942 Packard Clipper Limousine
USA

Packard

  Also see: Packard Car Reviews | The History of Packard
 
Packard Clipper was available as Six or Eight (price difference $55) and either as Special or Custom model. Electromatic Drive (overdrive) optional. The last civilian 1942 Packard car was produced on 9 February.
1942 Plymouth DeLuxe P-14S
USA

Plymouth

  Also see: Plymouth Car Reviews | The History of Plymouth
 
Plymouth offered two lines: DeLuxe P-14S and Special DeLuxe P-14C. Both had 11n-in wb and 95-bhp 217 CID L-head power unit They were in production from August 1941 to January 1942.
1942 Plymouth Special DeLuxe P-14C Convertible Coupe
USA

Plymouth DeLuxe Convertible Coupe

  Also see: Plymouth Car Reviews | The History of Plymouth
 
Plymouth Special DeLuxe P-14C Convertible Coupe. New grille and integrated front fenders (wings) were notable styling changes from 1941 models.
1942 Plymouth
USA

Plymouth

  Also see: Plymouth Car Reviews | The History of Plymouth
 
Plymouth period advertisement stressed economy and its being Chrysler Corporation's No. 1 car.
1942 Pontiac Torpedo
USA

Pontiac Torpedo

  Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac
 
Pontiac offered 20 1942 models in four series: Torpedo Six 25, Streamliner Six 26, Torpedo Eight 27 and Streamliner Eight 28. The Torpedo Two-Door, available as Six or Eight (both with 119-in wb). 32B: Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series 27 four-door Sedan. Eights had 248·9 CID, Sixes 239·2 CID: both were L-heads.
1942 Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series 27 four-door Sedan
USA

Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series

  Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac
 
Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series 27 four-door Sedan. Eights had 248·9 CID, Sixes 239·2 CID: both were L-heads.
1942 Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 Wagon
USA

Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series

  Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac
 
Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 (Six) (shown) or 28 (Eight) Station Wagon. The wheelbase of all Streamliner models was 122 inches. Other body styles in Streamliner Series were sedan coupe and four-door six-window sedan. Wagon shown was used by USMC.
1942 Pontiac Production Line
USA

Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series

  Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac
 
The last Pontiac to come off the line, early in 1942. Pontiac assembly plants were located in Atlanta, Linden, Oakland, Pontiac (main plant), St Louis, Southgate and Tarry town.
1942 Studebakers
USA

Studebaker

  Also see: Studebaker Car Reviews | The History of Studebaker
 
Studebaker offered three ranges of cars for 1942, the economical Champion, the Commander and the luxurious President 8. The latter two were offered with Turbomatic Drive (fluid coupling with controlled gear selection and automatic overdrive) as optional extra but few seem to have been delivered with this transmission.
1942 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser
USA

Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser

  Also see: Studebaker Car Reviews | The History of Studebaker
 
Studebaker body styling was known as Skyway. Shown is the attractive and fashionable four-door four-window Land Cruiser bodywork on the Commander chassis.
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