1941' Ford Coupe

Model History
1941 saw the introduction of a new generation of thoroughly updated Ford motor cars, replacing the line-up that had run since 1937. A new more modern body style was introduced and the original trim levels of Standard and De Luxe made way for a three-tier offering of Special, De Luxe and Super Deluxe.
On the engine front, dealers were putting pressure on Ford to offer a more economical version and so a 226ci (3. 7 Litre) 6-cylinder was added to the V8 line up, alongside the 221ci (3. 62 Litre) Flathead V8.
As always, a number of body styles were offered, including 2 & 4 Door Sedans, a Sedan Coupe, Business Coupe, Convertible Coupe, Woody Station Wagon and a Pickup.
After the attacks at Pearl Harbour the USA became embroiled in the War and although car production continued on a very limited scale, it stopped altogether in early 1942 to allow the factories to focus on the war effort.
Custom Car History
Inspired by the coachbuilt cars from Europe, the Custom car scene in the US started in the 1930’s, mostly in California. The desire for individuality was strong and the motor car was seen as another canvas on which to exhibit one’s own style and personality. With an individual’s imagination and/ or bank balance being the only limitation, the custom scene quickly grew from chopped tops, bespoke grilles and whitewall tyres with chromed hubcaps to fully bespoke builds and concepts like the sinister 1938 Phantom Corsair (Google it!) which must have caused quite the stir when seen driving around.
The Custom scene wasn’t just for looks, engine swaps and mechanical upgrades were hugely popular and one could argue that from this melting pot of people looking for style, power and speed also grew the Hot Rod and Drag Racing scenes of the same time.
Motor Car for Sale
The 1941 Ford Business Coupe Custom for sale at Wrightson Automotive originally left the factory with the 221ci (3. 6 Litre) Flathead V8 with 90hp. Today the car is powered by a 350ci (5. 7 Litre) Chevrolet V8 with 225bhp mated to a 3-Speed Turbo Hydra-matic 350 transmission.
The early history of this car is not known but we know that it was found in Burbank, California by the first documented owner, a Mr. Larry Alvarado in 1984.
A photograph on file from 1989 shows Larry and a friend putting the rebuilt Flathead V8 back in the car, which looks to be in very original condition, albeit in need of some restoration. The dark blue paint looks to be very old, perhaps even the original paint. Larry tidied up the car and carried out the popular custom mod of smoothing the top of the bonnet/ hood and sinking the number plate into the boot/ trunk lid behind some glass/ perspex.
Other photographs show the car in 1992 on Larry’s drive. It looks to have been finished in the ‘survivor’ style where the paint is meant to look old but is probably only a few years old. The rear wheel spats can be seen which are still on the car today.
Larry sold the car in 2004 after which it changed hands a couple of times before being bought in December 2009 by Tim Musico of Anaheim, California. Tim was and is a long standing member of the Long Beach Cavaliers a car club founded in 1948 and dedicated to the custom and hot rod scene ever since.
By the time Tim bought the Ford someone had fitted the 350ci Chevy V8 and an air bag suspension system. Tim took the Ford to Matthew Means at Department of Customz in Anaheim to chop the roof and repaint the whole car in a lovely dark red. Wanting to retain the stock look but with a chop top, Tim kept all the original detail like the door handles, rear lights and even the drip rails which were extended to the belt line post the roof being chopped.
Tim’s Ford would have its first public showing at the 2010 Cavaliers Car Show and he would go on to enjoy the car for the next 5 years before the decision was made to sell the car, most likely to make way for the next project, and so in December 2015 the Ford was on the water heading over to the UK in the ownership of its current owner, Richard.
An extremely talented and well-regarded car trimmer, Richard was already the lucky owner of a 1932 Ford Roadster that was part finished. The experience of that project had led Richard to the conclusion that what he really needed was a Custom Coupe that he could jump in and comfortably tour to the South of France at 80mph in. Thus the ’41 Business Coupe was acquired.
Unfortunately, upon arrival the Ford was not quite to Richard’s very high standards, then again, this is a man who trims vintage Bentleys and Rolls-Royces that have graced the lawns of Pebble Beach! Thus, what started as a “sort the suspension and get it driving properly” exercise, turned in to a full bare metal restoration. Tim and his team at The Autoshop in Stroud (an Aston Martin approved bodyshop) did all the metalwork and paint, while Buckland Automotive handled the mechanical side of things.
The engine and gearbox were in fine fettle and not in need of a rebuild but everything else mechanical has been gone through, including removal of the airbag suspension on the rear to be replaced with a coilover and ladder bar conversion which in turn was upgraded with a completely bespoke shock and spring set up in 2018. The steering has been upgraded with electronic power steering which is adjustable via a knob under the dash and can be turned off all together. The interior has been custom designed and retrimmed by Richard himself in a stunning combination of Fawn moleskin fabric, Dark Brown semi-aniline leather and matching Wilton carpet throughout, it really is the most stunning place to be and the seat is incredibly comfortable.
Some fantastic accessories have been fitted from period Appleton spot lights and ‘Flipper’ hubcaps with whitewall tyres to a modern stereo subtly installed in the glovebox and a digital speedometer solid wired and mounted on the dash. The latter is removable but due to the different engine and gearbox the original speedometer doesn’t register any speeds.
Since completing the car Richard and his wife have proven its worth as the ‘Continental Custom’ they set out to build by driving the car to Lake Como and back as well as taking part in events in the UK and Europe such as The Flatlands Motorama in Holland where they won a prize for the furthest distance driven, The London Concours in 2021 where it won ‘Best in Class’, The Hotrod Hayride in 2022 where it won ‘Pro’s Pick’ and finally, in 2023 it was invited by the Duke of Richmond to be displayed on the lawn at the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Having got what he wanted out of the car and the demands of a new Hot Rod project, it is time for Richard to hand the batton over to the next custodian of this fabulous motor car, that in the author’s eyes, is the perfect mix of the traditional American Custom and Restomod movements. To buy such a car today and turn it into the unique machine that it is would cost vastly in excess of what we are asking for the car.
Having driven the car I can attest that it fires straight up at the push of a button with a V8 bark before settling into a distant rumble. Easy, comfortable but with that preserved sense that you are driving a piece of the past but with none of the accompanying anxiety relating to reliability, the Ford is an absolute joy to drive. This truly is a unique and exciting opportunity for someone. What excites me most is that this car is for any and all petrolheads and I can imagine the next owner will not be a dye in the wool Americana or Custom guy or gal. Let’s see shall we.