1946 Ford

1941 Ford
1941 Ford Super Deluxe Business Coupe
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1941–1948
Model years	1941–1948
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan Atlanta, Georgia Chester, Pennsylvania Chicago, Illinois Long Beach, California Saint Paul, Minnesota Argentina Australia
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size Ford
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible 2-door coupé utility (Australia only) 2-door sedan delivery 2-door pickup truck 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	226 CID (3.7 L) 90 hp L-head I6 221 CID (3.6 L) Flathead V8 239 CID (3.9 L) Flathead V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114 in (2896 mm)
Length	194.3 in (4935 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	1937 Ford
Successor	1949 Ford Ford F-Series first generation (pickup trucks)

The Ford car was thoroughly updated in 1941, in preparation for a time of unpredictability surrounding World War II. The 1941 design would continue in an aborted 1942 model year and would be restarted in 1946 and produced until the more modern 1949 Fords were ready. During the initial year of this car, it evolved considerably. The front fenders came in three pieces, the theory being that small damage could be replaced easily. During the year, it evolved into two pieces with the lower front and back sections being joined. The hood risers changed, the early ones being the same as 1940 Fords, changing during the year to the better later version. The 1941 Convertible had no rear side windows, the only side windows being in the doors; in 1942, quarter windows were added so the rear occupants could see out. Five different coil/distributor arrangements were used during 1941, causing confusion for mechanics. Other variations were: two different positions for the generator, and three for the cooling fan — front of the crankshaft, front of the generator (rare) and on a bracket. This is thought to be the first Ford to offer an oil filter. The two interior heaters were a "Southwind" gasoline burner, which had the advantage of keeping one warm in winter at drive-in movies (provided a small electric fuel pump was used), and a more ordinary hot-water type. Both had window defrosters. It had an excellent radio, which could consume the battery in about two hours. Electric windshield wipers were available in addition to the vacuum-powered wipers. Three different convertible power top mechanisms (vacuum, electric screw, and hydraulic) and two different header bar latching systems were used. Rear suspensions sometimes had a sway bar, most did not. It had excellent brakes for the time, and the best handling of an ordinary car at the time. It was a very transitional car.

The two previous Ford car lines, Standard and De Luxe, had blossomed into three, Special, De Luxe, and Super De Luxe. This time, the entry-level 136 CID (2.2 L) V8 was switched in favor of a new 226 CID (3.7 L) L-head straight-6, the first Ford six since the 1906 Model K. The popular 221 CID (3.6 L) V8 remained as the top-line engine and was standard in De Luxe models. Both engines were rated at 90 hp. The 239 CID engine, introduced in 1939 for Mercury and trucks, was continued in the Mercury models. The chassis was longer, with a 114-in (2.9-m) wheelbase.