1940 Dodge Coronet

1940 Dodge Luxury Liner Series D14 Convertible Coupe In 1940, the average cost of a home was about $3,000.  The cost of a gallon of milk was 54 cents and gas was 18 cents for that same gallon.  The average income was about $1,400 per year, and cars were a luxury item with starting prices of $850....more than half the average national income.  And if you were doing really well, you could step into a Dodge Series D14 for about $1,000.  According to Classic.com, the Luxury Liner was created in 1939 to celebrate Dodge's 25th anniversary.  Production only lasted until 1941 after which the model was split into the Deluxe and Custom. For consignment, a rare 1940 Dodge Luxury Liner Series D14 Convertible Coupe - this is a consignor stated 4-owner car and owner #4 did a frame-up restoration that began in 2005.  An effort that has made this car a consistent award winner including first in class at national meets, including a win at a national Chrysler products club meet.  We often use the term show and go and after looking this car over and despite its mechanically sound state, we'd reserve this one for mostly show...it is very, very nice.  Exterior Viper Red paint adorns this car and pops like a cardinal in the snow.  It's bright and shiny with wide fenders arching over red painted wheels, blingy beauty rings and red-accented Dodge hub caps...all wrapped in wide white wall tires.  The body was brought to bare metal before painting and the prep work has paid off, most evident on that huge, rounded trunk.  The brightwork is fantastic with polished stainless steel and chrome everywhere including the driver's spotlight.  The bumper chrome is where quality really shines, and these are accented with red chevrons on the bumperettes.  A black canvas top is in excellent condition and functions properly with a glass rear window.  The ram ornament leaps forward and leads the charge of this pre-war beauty.  One rust bubble was noted low on one door but you'd have to look for it.   Interior The straight stitched split bench seat was done in gray leather and the simple door panels are also gray, with the added interest of forward leaning lines pressed into the leather.  A simple door actuator and window crank are also there, not far from the small armrest.   The bottom of the door card picks up on the carpet and matches with a darker gray.   Flip down side seats are found in the back for additional passengers.  An ornate black steering wheel is accented with red and the dash is pure art deco and not over-restored.  The metal, knobs and gauge faces retain some patina, a reminder that you're driving something vintage.  Some text on the speedometer reads Floating Power and according to some forum chatter on jalopyjournal.com, this refers to the motor mounts that reduced engine vibration.  A Mopar Deluxe heater box is found in the passenger footwell...more vintage goodness!  A vertical, push-button radio looks well-played and we can only imagine the big band sounds that emanated from this car back in the day.  The trunk is carpeted in charcoal and continues the gray theme.  Drivetrain The original 217.8ci L-head six cylinder is in place and a single barrel carburetor feeds the fuel.  The transmission is a 3-speed manual that sends power to the rear wheels and 4.10 gears.  Our consignor states that brakes, (drums all around), carburetor, and wiring were done during the restorative phase of this car's long life.  Undercarriage The wheels and underbody parts painted in red surround an otherwise black underside.  Independent suspension and coil springs up front with leaf springs in the back.  Surface rust appears on suspension components, the driveshaft, and the frame while excess bushing grease has picked up some dirt along the way.  Floorpans look solid and the single exhaust looks great.  Everything seems to be in order here for a car that is occasionally driven.  Drive-ability Easy does