Today's post presents their next redesigns. Chevrolet and Plymouth got new bodies for the 1940 model year, and Fords were redesigned for 1941. That period marked the point where much of the 1930-1949 styling evolution was already completed. Items such as headlight and trunks were largely integrated into car bodies, and all that remained was blending in fenders more fully.
All three redesigns included longer wheelbases from the previous 112 inches (2845 mm). Plymouth's lengthening was largest, to 117.5 inches (2985 mm), Chevy next at 116 inches (2946 mm), while Fords went only to 114 inches (2896 mm). The result was that Fords seemed stubby compared to its competitors.
The cars shown below are all four-door sedans for better camparative evaluation. Unless noted, images are of cars listed for sale.
General Motors was one model year away from blending headlights into front fenders. The 1941 facelift transformed the '40 model into a classic Chevy design.
1938-1940 Fords sedans featured highly rounded fastback styling, retained here. Ford Motor Company redesigns in this period featured larger (taller) windows. The 1941 grille was a nondescript blend of horizontal and vertical features ... a transition to the more fashionable horizontal layout.
Plymouths shared bodies with other Chrysler Corporation brands that usually had longer hoods. Frontal design here features a prow-shaped hood-grille ensemble where the horizontal grille is combined with the vertical prow element. Headlights are in the fenders, and the fenders remain distinct.
Four-door Chevy sedans, like the Fords and Plymouths, were six-window affairs. The slight notchback looks awkward due to the short trunk lid. A fastback design would have improved the profile. Front fenders are rounded in the 1930s manner unlike the fashionable "suitcase" fenders on '40 Plymouths and '41 Fords. This was adjusted slightly for 1941.
This wide-angle photo distorts the Ford's profile, making it seem more stubby than it actually was. Nevertheless, it was a stubby-looking car due to its highly rounded fastback.
Although Plymouth had the longest wheelbase, it also looks rather short in profile. That's because its long passenger compartment was shared with more upscale Chrysler Corporation brands, and the wheelbase meant that the hood had to be short.
Seen from the rear quarter, the long window ensemble is not as objectionable as it was in profile. The car looks massive here, probably intentionally to set it apart from the competition. Buyers would think they were getting more car for their money with Chevrolet. Aside from the passenger compartment, the styling is of the usual highly professional General Motors variety.
The highly rounded rear seems bloated, not stylish. Some sort of horizontal ornamentation there would have helped to break up that effect.
Plymouth's rear profile has a more flowing curve than Ford's while lacking the too-small notchback on the Chevy.
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