1939 Chrysler, DeSoto and Dodge "Hayes Coupes"

Chrysler Corporation cars of the 1939 model year interest me for various reasons.  For instance, I wrote about the Chrysler brand's front end styling here.  And here I speculated on whether '39 Chryslers, DeSotos and Dodges were completely redesigned or rather were given massive facelifts.

Another 1939-only item was what many observers call the "Hayes coupe."  These were a kind of halfway proposition between small coupes with sideways seating behind the front seat for an extra passenger and normal two-door sedans.  They were built in small numbers by the Hayes Body Corporation of Grand Rapids, Michigan for Chryslers, DeSotos and Dodges.  A good background reference is here.

Hayes coupes were attractive cars, distinctive styling features being thin B-pillars and passenger compartment aft ends with a central vertical crease aligned with two-piece back window divider.

When the Chrysler line was redesigned for 1940, Hayes coupes were eliminated and Hayes left the business of providing car bodies.

Gallery

Side view of a Hayes coupe, this a Dodge.

Publicity material for the DeSoto version.  It features the rear seating.  Note the splitter crease above the windshield that is echoed farther aft.

Now for three "for sale" photos of a Hayes-bodied Chrysler, an attractive car of its time.

The passenger greenhouse is quite airy for 1939.  Chryslers had stubby hoods that year with front fenders and a catwalk projecting ahead, as seen here and in the previous photo.

It's hard to see from this angle, but try to note the crease aligned with back window split.