Harold LeMay, a Tacoma businessman, loved cars and managed to collect more than 3,000 automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles over forty years of collecting. A number of the vehicles from his collection form the nucleus of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum. This collection of more than 300 cars, motorcycles, and trucks is displayed in a four-level building in Tacoma, Washington. Shown below are some of the cars of the 1940s displayed in this museum. Due to World War II, all American automobile manufacturing stopped in 1942 and resumed in 1946.
Ford:
Shown above is a 1942 Ford Deluxe, 2-Door Club Coupe.
Shown above is a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Woodie Station Wagon. It sold for $1,855 and a total of 3,520 were built.
Lincoln:
Shown above is a 1942 Lincoln Continental, 2-Door Coupe.
Shown above is a 1947 Lincoln Mode 76H, 2-Door Convertible Coupe. After World War II, production continued with no changes from the 1942 design occurring until 1948.
Chevrolet:
Shown above is a 1942 Chevrolet “Blackout” 2-Door Coupe. According to the display:
“On December 14, 1941, the government decreed that to conserve scarce metals, all cars built after January 1, 1942 could not use any brightwork apart from chrome-plated bumpers. All cars, including this one, were known as ‘blackouts”. Blackouts of any make are rare; they were only made during January 1942.”
Buick:
Shown above is a 1949 Buick Super, 4-Door Station Wagon. In 1949, Buick ranked fifth in terms of total production.
Chrysler:
Shown above is a 1942 Chrysler Windsor Highlander.
Oldsmobile:
Shown above is a 1948 Oldsmobile Model 66, 2-Door Coupe.
Cadillac:
Shown above is a 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.
Plymouth:
Plymouth was introduced in 1928 as Chrysler Corporation’s entry-level car. During the 1940s, Plymouth was ranked as third with regard to American sales.
Shown above is a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe, 2-Door Coupe. During 1948, Plymouth rose to second with regard to U.S. sales.
DeSoto:
Shown above is a 1949 DeSoto Custom, 4-Door Sedan.
Willys:
Shown above is a 1945 Willys MB U.S. Army Jeep. The Jeep was based on a design originated by American Bantam.
Crosley:
Shown above is a 1949 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster. In 1949, however, American consumers were not ready for a small car and Crosley sales dropped from 26,239 in 1948 to just 7,431 in 1949.