Pick of the Day: 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe

start As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But what if the fax comes from the same think tank? Our daily picks show that style can permeate a company—as evidenced by this 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Town Car for sale on ClassicCars.com from a private seller in Hugo, Minnesota. (Click the link to view the list)

When the 1940s arrived, all cars on the American market followed the trend toward fatter, less stylish designs. Nineteen Forty is often considered a landmark year as it seems all brands look really good, and Buick is no exception. For the first time, the headlights are properly integrated into the front fenders. Buick offers five series of cars: Special, Super, Century, Roadmaster and Limited. Wheelbases range from 121 inches (Special and Super Editions) to 133 inches (Limited Series 80), with the most exquisite Limited (Series 90) boasting a stunning 140-inch wheelbase. Power comes from Buick’s famous inline eight-cylinder engine, delivering 107 horsepower at 248cid and 141 horsepower at 320cid. Buick’s market position is firmly in the middle and upper class, so it is involved in both the middle class and luxury car markets. Is it any wonder that Buick ranks fourth in sales? After Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, pretty impressive.

In 1941, Chevrolet looked to be following Buick, though not in sales. One look at the Chevrolet’s styling and you’ll notice it looks like a 1940 Buick sedan. Of course, the two cars differed beyond their similarities, as a brand’s market position in that era was determined by the number of cylinders and wheelbase length. In the case of Chevrolet, there were two series: Master Deluxe and Special Deluxe, plus a special Fleetline four-door sedan in the latter series launched mid-year. Both cars are powered by a 90-horsepower 216ci inline six-cylinder engine and have a 116-inch wheelbase.

Are most styles foam-free? America thinks so, as Chevrolet continues to produce more than 300,000 more Chevrolets than Ford. While a far cry from the Buick’s exquisite interior and trim, the Chevrolet Special Deluxe Edition builds on the Deluxe Master Edition by adding the following: chrome accents on the dash, illuminated clock, trunk lights, door and seat heel panels Artificial leather on top to resist wear and tear Covers, inserts in front of carpeted rubber floor mats, two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring, hood louver, stainless steel moldings on windshield/side/rear windows and body creases, and leather front seats Armrests, ashtrays, and decorative license plate nameplates. Sure there’s no Buick, but the style and value are there.

This 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Town Car showcases the Buick-style charm that made Chevrolet a sales champion. Sure, the Ford had its share of beautiful styling and V8 power, but neither could overcome the bowtie juggernaut. “This car is a true American classic,” the seller says. “The car has been stored inside since new and has only been driven 600 miles over the past 17 years, with 35,600 miles on the odometer.” Of course, it’s powered by the original six-cylinder engine and is paired with a vacuum-assisted three-speed manual transmission.

However, there’s something very special about this particular example – the seller adds, “The body is rust-free and the paint, glass and interior are all original. The original radio, clock, gauges, lights and heater are all working “It sounds like you’re going to get your own share of adulation when you take this particular luxury car to a show. For $26,500, that’s not a bad offer.

Click here to view ClassicCars.com Daily Picks.