1941 Ford...underappreciated?

[BeatnikPirate]

This week a friend of mine here on the HAMB took delivery of a stock looking 1941 Ford coupe. I was really surprised at how cool and interesting the 41 is, since it has generally been overshadowed by the classic lines of it's predecessor, the iconic 1940 Ford. The details on the '41, such as the art-deco design of the front turn signals, the ribbed side trim, the script insignias, the dashboard, etc are, in my opinion, beautifully designed works of art. 41's make cool customs when they're smoothed, chopped, etc., but it almost seems like a shame to take off all the cool old styling elements. Anyway, I now have a greater appreciation for the not-too-popular 41. What do you think? Got pictures of your's or any favorite 41's?
(Judging from the last pic, it looks like Henry didn't like it too much!)

[Royalshifter]

41 super coupe is my favorite next to the 40.

[thunderbirdesq]

I always liked them. I like the dash so much, I put on in my A roadster...

[BeatnikPirate]

The "nut job" was Henry Ford, himself, swinging a sledge hammer to prove how strong the experimental soybean-based plastic was on a prototype '41. Least that's what I've heard.

[296ardun]

Originally Posted by BeatnikPirate

The "nut job" was Henry Ford, himself, swinging a sledge hammer to prove how strong the experimental soybean-based plastic was on a prototype '41. Least that's what I've heard.

You're absolutely right...Henry was trying to not only save money building Fords but also help farmers shift from corn to soybeans...the body was soybean-based, but for reasons I have forgotten, he never put it into production.

[Redz Rodz]

henry was big on the use of hemp for fuel also,the look in his eyes with that ax i see reefer madness!!

[The37Kid]

Some state used soybeans to make license plates durring WWII when metal was used for war time projects. Being a food product animals are them, and they are sought out by plate collectors. This may be the reason Ford didn't go into bodywork production with soybean panels.

Originally Posted by 296ardun

You're absolutely right...Henry was trying to not only save money building Fords but also help farmers shift from corn to soybeans...the body was soybean-based, but for reasons I have forgotten, he never put it into production.

[greaseball]

Originally Posted by BeatnikPirate

The "nut job" was Henry Ford, himself, swinging a sledge hammer to prove how strong the experimental soybean-based plastic was on a prototype '41. Least that's what I've heard.

It wasn't SOY, it was HEMP.
Hemp was also what made Levi's legendary.

The stuff doesn't bust!!!

[arkiehotrods]

Originally Posted by greaseball

It wasn't SOY, it was HEMP.
Hemp was also what made Levi's legendary.

The stuff doesn't bust!!!

Actually it was soy-based plastic. And Ford is wearing a soy-based suit in the photo as well. Henry loved to demonstrate how tough the soy plastic was to visitors to the Ford plant. But one day he went out and took a swing in sub-zero temps and it broke. He was so mad (and embarrassed) that he stopped development of soy-based plastic body panels.

[Boeing Bomber]

Originally Posted by greaseball

It wasn't SOY, it was HEMP.
Hemp was also what made Levi's legendary.

The stuff doesn't bust!!!

I've always heard it WAS soy. Although Ol' Henry did experiment with hemp as a building material, The deck lid was made of soy. Read the book "Fordlandia" and learn all about his venture in the south American rain forest where he tried to start his own plantation. The whole thing collapsed, mostly because of greed to get as many plants in one place as possible. They were too crowded to grow.
I have heard that that is a hemp suit he is wearing in that picture.

[Model T1]

Originally Posted by BeatnikPirate

The "nut job" was Henry Ford, himself, swinging a sledge hammer to prove how strong the experimental soybean-based plastic was on a prototype '41. Least that's what I've heard.

Yep, you heard right. Lots of the dash and inner door bezels are made of similar stuff. Guess it wouldn't work. Notice how most of that faded and cracked?

[Model T1]

Just the way we found this in central Florida. I hated the paint job and the butt ugly interior when we spotted it at Daytona Turkey run. Fate and Carma made it ours. After 15-16 years of driving this Chevy powered toy we love it.
See more in my albums.

[Hnstray]

Originally Posted by thunderbirdesq

I always liked them. I like the dash so much, I put on in my A roadster...

VERY NICE !! Congrats....................

[GreenMonster48]

41's are one of my favorites. I was looking for one when I found my 42.

[ridin dirty]

What's up with the nut job swinging a axe at that car? and why are the people in the window watching? Strange!!!!!!

[James D]

Originally Posted by ridin dirty

What's up with the nut job swinging a axe at that car? and why are the people in the window watching? Strange!!!!!!

Ford testing a glass fibre decklid IIRC.

[brendog67rat]

Originally Posted by Rodin dirty

What's up with the nut job swinging a axe at that car? and why are the people in the window watching? Strange!!!!!!

thats Henry Ford, and i think that is a soy bean car!

[happilyretired]

The nut job is Henry Ford and he was showing the press how durable and long-lasting and resilient a deck lid on the new 1941 Ford can be because it is made of fibreglas, hence the sledge hammer !! He was evidently trying to show how a manufacturer can help make his cars last longer. This demo pic hit all the major magazines of the time. I've also seen it in historical books on the Ford family legacy.

[hotroddon]

Originally Posted by The37Kid

Some state used soybeans to make license plates durring WWII when metal was used for war time projects. Being a food product animals are them, and they are sought out by plate collectors. This may be the reason Ford didn't go into bodywork production with soybean panels.

Originally Posted by happilyretired

The nut job is Henry Ford and he was showing the press how durable and long-lasting and resilient a deck lid on the new 1941 Ford can be because it is made of fibreglas, hence the sledge hammer !! He was evidently trying to show how a manufacturer can help make his cars last longer. This demo pic hit all the major magazines of the time. I've also seen it in historical books on the Ford family legacy.

If you really want to get technical about this - it was neither Soy Bean nor Fiberglass as we think of those products. It was actually a combination hemp-and-sisal cellulose plastic. There was Soy Bean used in the creation and the Pro Marijuana faction loves to point out that it was Hemp as the fibers! (athough only about 10%)

[6t5frlane]

Originally Posted by ridin dirty

What's up with the nut job swinging a axe at that car? and why are the people in the window watching? Strange!!!!!!

Feds going after a Moonshine car ??