USA Car Spotters Guide

Although 1942 models had been introduced, as usual, in the late summer and autumn of the previous year, all production of civilian cars came to a halt on 9 February 1942.

Production of civilian trucks halted on 3 March, the day after civilian car rationing commenced. Gasoline (petrol) rationing and a national speed limit followed, in order to conserve fuel and rubber.

On the last day of 1941 the Automotive Council for War Production had been set up with the aim of applying the facilities of the automotive industry to all-out war production.

Chrysler stepped up its production of tanks, spending $40 million on plant expansion, Ford opened the Willow Run Michigan Bomber Plant in May, General Motors produced countless items of war material including Chevrolet and GMC trucks, Nash-Kelvinator produced aircraft engines, helicopters, etc.

Pontiac was the first automobile manufacturer to win the Navy 'E' Award, Chrysler's Tank Arsenal the first to win the Army-Navy 'E', which superseded it. Total value of arms produced by the automotive industry in 1942 was $4,665 million.

Buick range had entirely new body styling. One-piece hood (bonnet) could be opened at either side and was quickly removable altogether.

War-time Buick advertisement, showing 1942 Roadmaster Series 70 Convertible (Model 76-C). Super Model 56-C was similar in appearance but had 124-in vs 129-inch wheelbase.

Buick Special Series 40 was cheapest range, on 118-inch wheelbase. Pictured left is the Model 48 Sedanet. Originally Buick offered 23 individual models for 1942, in six lines (Special, Extra Special (121-inch wheelbase), Super, Century, Roadmaster and Limited). Later this was reduced to 14 models. This 'H1942' range included seven Specials, three Supers, two Century's and three Roadmasters.

Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 136-inch wheelbase Touring Sedan could be supplied with Formal Division (glass partition). It was Cadillac's top-line.

Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five with special coachwork, in use by the British RAF in the Far East (1948).

Cadillac Series 62 Convertible. Fenders shown appeared on all 1942 Cadillacs, except Series 75 Convertible had full-width rear-seat. Series 61, 62, 63, 67 and 68 had Fisher bodies with Fleetwood interior styling.

Chevrolet came in three series: BG Master DeLuxe, BH Special DeLuxe and Fleetline. Shown is a BG four-door sedan as used by the USMC. Wheel hub covers and other bright metal trim (except bumpers) of all US cars were painted instead of chrome as from 1 January 1942, by Government order.

Chevrolet BH Special DeLuxe Coupe Compared with 1941 the radiator grille was new and the front fenders extended onto the doors.

	Chrysler Royal
	Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews
	Chrysler Royal C-345 and Windsor C-34W (pictured left with Town & Country 6 or 9-seater bodywork) had 6-cyl. 250·6 CID engine and 121½-inch wheelbase. Fluid Drive and Vacamatic semi-auto. transmission were standard.

The Chrysler Saratoga C-36K and New Yorker C-36N had 8-cylinder 323·5 CID engine and 127½-inch wheelbase. A horizontal wrap around grille theme, long hoods and concealed running boards were identifying characteristics of the short lived 1942 models. By February, 1942, Chrysler plants had halted production of passenger cars for civilian use and had turned completely to wartime work.

Chrysler Crown Imperial C-37 had 145½-inch wheelbase and 8-in-line engine. Only 448 Imperials had been made when civilian car production stopped in February 1942.

DeSoto DeLuxe 5-10 and Custom 5-10 constituted the 1942 model range, and were available with various body styles, all on a 121½-inch wheelbase and powered by 236·7 CID 115-bhp L-head engine.

Dodge marketed two lines, the DeLuxe D-22S and the Custom D-22C. 68,522 of these 1942 models were produced until Dodge converted entirely to military truck production, chiefly the ¾-ton 4 x 4 'Beep'.

Dodge DeLuxe D-22S '3-Window' Coupe. All models were available with Fluid Drive transmission.

Dodge 1942 Sedan used by the military as a staff car. Note painted 'brightwork' instead of chrome (except bumpers) and blackout masks on headlights.

There were four series: 21A Super DeLuxe (V8), 21A DeLuxe (V8), 2GA DeLuxe (Six), and 2GA Special (Six). Both engines developed 90 bhp and all had 114-inch wheelbase. Body styles numbered 14.

Ford 21 A DeLuxe Fordor Sedan, used by British Forces in North Africa. Military modifications included 9'00-13 desert tyres, equipment racks and brackets, and a canvas-covered observation hatch in the roof.

1942 Hudsons differed from 1941 models only in minor details. Only 5396 Hudson cars and 67 commercials were delivered in 1942.

Hudson stopped production of civilian cars on 5 February. Shown is the last one 'for the duration'. Most of the brightwork had austere paint finish.

Lincoln-Zephyr 26H had a V12 L-head engine, restyled front end, and was optionally available with Liquamatic Drive automatic gearshift. The Lincoln Continental 26H Cabriolet Model 56, was one of Ford's top-line models. Its shipping weight was 4020 lb, price US$3169. The Coupe, Model 57, weighed 20 lb less but sold at same price.

Mercury 29A had 118-inch wheelbase and was available as Sedan (29A-70), Sedan Coupe (72), Town Sedan (73), Club Convertible (76), 5-Window Coupe (77) and Station Wagon (79).

Mercury 29A-76 with desert tyres, used by 9th Australian Division in Middle East. Photo was taken at Gaza aerodrome, Palestine, in 1942.

Nash 600, Model 4240 Sedan was one of five body styles available Wheelbase was 112 inches, engine 6-cyl. L-head. This sedan sold at US$993.

Nash Ambassador, last 'pre-war' model to come off the assembly line. The date was February 4, 1942.

Oldsmobile had five series for the 1942 model year: 6-cyl. 66 and 76, 8-cyl. 68, 78 and 98. Prices ranged from US$984 to US$1307. Shown is a Hydramatic-equipped 98 Dynamic Cruiser Sedan.

The Packard Clipper 180 was first introduced in 1941 and carried-over for 1942 model year. The 1946 Clipper was to be similar in appearance to 1941/42 model, the main exception being the radiator grille.

Packard Clipper was available as Six or Eight (price difference $55) and either as Special or Custom model. Electromatic Drive (overdrive) optional. The last civilian 1942 Packard car was produced on 9 February.

Plymouth offered two lines: DeLuxe P-14S and Special DeLuxe P-14C. Both had 11n-in wb and 95-bhp 217 CID L-head power unit They were in production from August 1941 to January 1942.

Plymouth Special DeLuxe P-14C Convertible Coupe. New grille and integrated front fenders (wings) were notable styling changes from 1941 models.

Plymouth period advertisement stressed economy and its being Chrysler Corporation's No. 1 car.

Pontiac offered 20 1942 models in four series: Torpedo Six 25, Streamliner Six 26, Torpedo Eight 27 and Streamliner Eight 28. The Torpedo Two-Door, available as Six or Eight (both with 119-in wb). 32B: Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series 27 four-door Sedan. Eights had 248·9 CID, Sixes 239·2 CID: both were L-heads.

Pontiac Torpedo Eight Series 27 four-door Sedan. Eights had 248·9 CID, Sixes 239·2 CID: both were L-heads.

Pontiac Streamliner Series 26 (Six) (shown) or 28 (Eight) Station Wagon. The wheelbase of all Streamliner models was 122 inches. Other body styles in Streamliner Series were sedan coupe and four-door six-window sedan. Wagon shown was used by USMC.

The last Pontiac to come off the line, early in 1942. Pontiac assembly plants were located in Atlanta, Linden, Oakland, Pontiac (main plant), St Louis, Southgate and Tarry town.

Studebaker offered three ranges of cars for 1942, the economical Champion, the Commander and the luxurious President 8. The latter two were offered with Turbomatic Drive (fluid coupling with controlled gear selection and automatic overdrive) as optional extra but few seem to have been delivered with this transmission.

Studebaker body styling was known as Skyway. Shown is the attractive and fashionable four-door four-window Land Cruiser bodywork on the Commander chassis.