The 1942 Chevrolet Special DeLuxe Fleetline Aerosedan , a two - door fastback , was by far the most popular Chevy of the yr . A whopping 61,855 were produced during the scant model year . Three stainless - sword " speedlines " on the front and rearward buffer identified Chevy ’s top trim level .
On December 8 , 1941 , the United States entered World War II . Due to the ensuing shortage of war materiel , on February 2 , 1942 , civilian rider - car product was ordered to a stop . And get January 1 , 1942 , the machine industry ’s use of brightwork was curtailed by the politics .
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So that no car manufacturer would hit a sales event vantage while the use of raw materials was regulate , Washington ordered that no new cars could be delivered with exposed stainless - steel or chrome shave with the exception of bumper , bumper guards , and windscreen wipers . The resulting car were dubbed " blackout specials " or " brownout modeling . "
Chevrolet respond by painting windowpane trim , hubcap , grilles , and other trimming on newfangled Chevys the lighter of its two - tone colors , usually off - blank or light-headed hoary .
Painted trim was therefore applied to the handsome 1942 nip and tuck , which included a new , bolder - looking grille ; long cowcatcher that extended into the door ; and a goon lengthened to the threshold border , eliminating the cowl side . These changes resulted in a tenacious , lower , and encompassing appearance , although overall length was subdue from 196 to 195 inches .
All 1942 Chevys were power by the same 90 - bhp , 216.5 - cid " Stovebolt " six used since 1937 . Wheelbase remained at 116 inches .
Roger A. James of Buffalo , Minnesota , owns the 1942 Fleetline Aerosedan featured here . paint Chevron Gray with Torpedo Gray trim , it is an exceedingly rarefied example of a blackout special . Since its regaining , it has consistently convey first place and has acquire two best of shows at Vintage Chevrolet Club of America and Antique Automobile Club of America events .
Chevrolet restyled its pre - war transmission line in 1949 , but the blackout specials would go on to become symbols of those historic and crucial first weeks of 1942 .
