1941 was the final full year of automobile production before the onset of the United State's involvement in World War II. The Chrysler Corporation had weathered the financial difficulties of the 1930s and as it entered the 1940s, with over a million units sold, they rested comfortably in the number two position behind General Motors in industry rankings. Much of that success was attributed to the attractive styling and build quality of the Dodge automobile. The modern design and streamlined elegance were complimented by a well-appointed interior and a comprehensive list of optional equipment.

The L-head six-cylinder engine had a 217.8 cubic-inch displacement, a Stromberg one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, and produced 91 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. It used a three-speed selective sliding transmission with a single plate dry disc clutch and column shift controls. A Fluid Drive transmission was optional. Stopping power was by hydraulic brakes.

The Deluxe and Custom series rested on a 119.5-inch wheelbase platform while the long-wheelbase version of the Custom Series measured a generous 137.5-inches. The Deluxe Series was priced at $860 for the business coupe, $915 for the two-door sedan, and $955 for the sedan. Prices on the Custom Series ranged from $960 to $1,060 with body styles that included a two-door club coupe, convertible coupe, and brougham. Four-door body styles included a six-passenger sedan and a town sedan. The large wheelbase platform was reserved for the seven-passenger sedan priced at $1,200 and the limousine at $1,260. A bare chassis was also available.

The Custom Series added 'Air Foam' seat cushions, a right-hand inside armrest, Deluxe steering wheel, dual electric windshield wipers, and chrome beading around the outside windshield. The long-wheelbase Custom Series had jump seats in the rear.

The most popular body style was the Custom sedan with 72,067 examples built. 20,146 examples were broughams, 18,024 were club coupes, 16074 were town sedans, and 3,554 were convertible coupes. The long-wheelbase Custom Series was exclusive with 601 examples of the sedan, 50 of the limousine, and 20 were bare chassis. Within the Deluxe Series, the most popular body style was the sedan with 49,579 examples built, followed by 34,566 of the two-door sedan, and 22,318 examples of the business coupe.

The top-of-the-line model wore the 'Luxury Liner' script on the rear bumper.

Styling features of the 1941 Dodge included a vee-shaped windshield, larger rear windows, a winged crest bearing the dodge family coat-of-arms on the front of the nose, and a streamlined ram ornament mounted on top. The wide grille with horizontal slats stretched further than the previous year, now encroaching over the fender aprons to the headlamps. A chrome molding ran down the center of the hood and over the nose. Chrome molding ran along the beltline from the front of the hood to the rear of the body.

Standard equipment included vertical uplift door handles, hydraulic brakes, Autolite ignition, oil bath air cleaner, and hump rim safety wheels. Optional equipment included bumpers, bumper guards, fender skirts, fender-mounted turn signals, outside rearview mirror, radio, heater, clock, cigar lighter, full wheel discs, special paint, external sunshade, seat covers, and conventional running boards.

Along with the vehicles produced for the United States market, Dodge vehicles were also built for the Canadian market and were known as the Series D20 Kingsway, D21 DeLuxe, and D21 Deluxe Special. Dodges were built in the United States for export and in Windsor. Plymouth supplied the chassis and body while the 218 cubic-inch engine was from Dodge. A total of 1,180 examples were D20s and 2,094 were D20 Deluxes built in Detroit. Approximately 14,000 examples were built in Windsor, Canada.

by Dan Vaughan