Danbury Mint 1941 Chevrolet

In 1941, Chevrolet introduced a completely new body. Concealed safety steps replaced the traditional running boards. These changes would continue through the post-war models up to 1948. They also improved the existing six-cylinder engine for additional horsepower. Chevrolet and other General Motors cars offered shortwave radios as a factory option. The '41 Chevy was ahead of its time and ushered in some unique options for the workingman.

The Danbury Mint captured the look of an era with their rendition of the '41 Chevrolet Special DeLuxe. This release quickly became a favorite of mine, which graces my personal collection today. The color combination of Marine Blue/Squadron Gray is period correct and stunning to behold.

The '41 Chevy was available in six body types:

• Sport Sedan
• Town Sedan
• 5 Passenger Coupe
• Business Coupe
• Cabriolet
• Station Wagon

Maybe the door has been opened for a few more replicas utilizing this tool, time will tell, as you can see the possibilities are there. I can announce that there will be a follow up to the coupe, a convertible, recreated in 1:24th scale in Ruby Maroon. The convertible will be a Limited Edition available to the general public with no restrictions attached to owning it.

I have read post on our boards stating that the '41 coupe looked too dressy and was not what the average workingman would have owned back in 1941. Actually this replica is chockfull of standard equipment that makes up the "bling" you see in our images with the exception of the fog lights. In my opinion the Danbury Mint '41 Special DeLuxe contains an accurate blend of options, color and stance, which to me makes this a near perfect replica.

Viewing the exterior of this replica you will be impressed with its glass like finish and operating features. The two-tone paint is applied flawlessly; the doors, trunk and hood open easily and smoothly. The doors have a positive click close feature and unlike the '58 Buick Estate Wagon are not spring loaded, which means you may pose the doors however you like. For me this is a mute point; I don't pose my cars with the doors open but I do favor the positive click close feature. Look closely at the image below; notice the pin that locks it into place, we marked its location for you.

I find the lines of this replica to be spot on, I admit I cheat when checking how close a model comes to the 1:1 by imposing the image over that of a 1:1 image; they are very, very close if not perfect on this replica. Viewing the side trim molding you will notice the infamous red line highlighting the center of the chrome side molding that was so prominent on the Chevy's of yesteryear. The grille also contains the red hue on each louver making this a stunning model from any angle. Here is a feature that really caught my eye, take note how Danbury Mint incorporated the gravel guards onto the model; they are molded into the body and painted flat black, very nice touch and wonderful illusion.

Finally, lets not forget the hubcaps, wide whites or the period correct windshield wipers. How about the chrome hinges on the trunk lid too. One item that would have made this model a true heart stopper would have been an operating cowl vent with mesh in it, we can't have everything or can we.

Checking the operating features such as the trunk, it operates smoothly but can be a little difficult to open if your fingers are not nimble. Don't be tempted to grab the license plate or trunk handle to yank it open either; you could possibly snap those pieces off. I suggest you use a business card, slip it under the bottom edge of the trunk to coax it slightly open if you don't own any custom tools for handling your collection.

Once opened you will be pleased to find all the amenities that were included in the 1:1. Those amenities include a removable spare, jack with base and tool bag. The spare tire did not sit in a wheel-well below the floor, Chevrolet in their infinite wisdom placed the spare tire under a raised trunk shelve to make access to it easier.

However, this design caused my grandfather much anxiety when he tried to haul any packages or spill able material especially when rounding a sharp curve and you heard a clunk. You knew whatever was in there slid into the lower section of the trunk, and there would be a mess that needed our attention once we got to our destination, I hated that trunk. I learned a few descriptive adjectives in my early years of life from my grandfather; I was smart enough not to use any of them around my mother, which spared me from any capital punishment. My brother on the other hand must have liked the taste of soap.

Take a few minutes and soak in the beauty of the tail end of the '41, its taillights, bumper guards, chrome tailpipe extension and license plate holder. Marvel at the detail of the trunk and the mechanism that operates it. Although I doubt the interior trunk guide/hinge is correct; I believe the original slid into itself. I attempted to locate some pictures to confirm my suspicion but I was unable to do so. Regardless it doesn't change my opinion of this model, therefore I will move on.

Raising the hood you will be pleasantly surprised to find a well-detailed six-cylinder 216.5 cubic inch engine. When viewing a model I like to see as much of the original car as possible, even though I know this is not practical do to cost. That said the engine compartment on this model was very well authentically detailed, including those little extras that make a model more desirable in my opinion. Located under the hood I found an oil overflow canister that was labeled with care-instructions, fuel lines, and information on the oil filled air cleaner, battery with cables, coil and more. This model definitely had "bling" under the hood, which added to its appeal and overall rating for me.

The interior is just as breathtaking as the exterior. From the realism of the dash to the material on the seats this model is full of wonderful memories for me. If memories are not what you are concerned about I assure you that you won't be disappointed with what you find inside. My grandfather would allow me to press the starter peddle from time to time on his '41 Chevy and the Danbury Mint model has one too, it is located to the right of the gas peddle. From time to time he would intentionally not push the clutch in, or put it in neutral, which would cause the car to lurch forward. This always scared the begebbers out of me; I can still see him laughing at the startled kid sitting next to him.

Finally, take some time and gaze at the realism of the dash pictured above. Explore all the nooks and crannies of the interior; where you will notice the working sun visors, dome light, coat hooks over the rear windows and wood trim around all windows and doors. If you are a collector and fail to see the amount of craftsmanship associated with the creation of this model I suggest you take up stamp collecting; you are missing the beauty of a true classic.

In conclusion this is one of the finest models in my collection based on its own merit regardless of the mint or design team behind it. I strongly suggest you add this model to your collection before they are sold out, they will sell out quickly.

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