Were There Cars in 1940? A Snapshot of Motoring on the Eve of World War II

Yes—by 1940, cars were common in many countries, especially in the United States, where more than 27 million passenger cars were registered. Automobiles had been mass-produced for decades, and by 1940 the industry offered modern features such as hydraulic brakes, all-steel bodies, sealed-beam headlights, and even the first mass-produced automatic transmission. However, the outbreak of World War II in 1939 was already curtailing civilian car production in much of Europe.

The State of the Automobile in 1940

By 1940, the global auto industry had matured. In the U.S., mass production pioneered by Ford and expanded by General Motors, Chrysler, and others made car ownership widespread. Passenger car registrations exceeded 27 million in the U.S., while Europe, though rapidly modernizing, saw civilian output constrained by the war beginning in 1939. Most cars were four-door or two-door sedans and coupes, with station wagons (often “woodies”) and convertibles available at higher prices. In America, new cars typically cost roughly $600–$1,500 at the time, depending on brand, body style, and equipment.

Notable Cars You Could See (or Buy) in 1940

Across regions, a range of notable models were on roads or in showrooms in 1940, reflecting different market needs, from affordable family transport to luxury cruisers and performance icons.

• United States: Ford Deluxe and Mercury Eight; Chevrolet Special Deluxe; Plymouth P10; Buick Special; Cadillac Series 62 (introduced for 1940); Oldsmobile Series 70/90 with the new Hydra-Matic automatic; Packard One-Twenty; Lincoln-Zephyr; Chrysler Royal/Windsor.
• Germany and Central Europe: Mercedes-Benz 170 V; BMW 327/328; Auto Union models; Opel Kadett; Tatra T87; Škoda Popular; limited pre-war “KdF-Wagen” (Volkswagen) pilot production.
• United Kingdom: Morris Eight; Austin 10; Vauxhall 10/12; sporting models such as the Jaguar SS 100 (production ending in 1940).
• France and Italy: Citroën Traction Avant (front-wheel-drive pioneer); Peugeot 202; Renault Juvaquatre; Fiat 500 “Topolino”; Lancia Aprilia.
• Soviet Union and Japan: GAZ-M1; ZIS-101 (luxury sedan); Toyota AA/AB; Datsun Type 17.

Together, these examples illustrate that by 1940, motorists had access to a broad spectrum of vehicles—compact city cars, family sedans, luxury tourers, and sports cars—though availability in war-affected regions was increasingly constrained.

What Technology Did 1940 Cars Use?

Cars of 1940 combined proven mechanical layouts with emerging innovations that would shape postwar motoring, balancing performance, comfort, and cost.

1. Powertrains: Predominantly inline-fours and inline-sixes, with V-8s common in U.S. models; carbureted, naturally aspirated engines with modest compression due to fuel quality.
2. Transmissions: Three-speed manual gearboxes were standard; Oldsmobile’s 1940 Hydra-Matic debuted as the first mass-produced fully automatic transmission, soon influencing the industry.
3. Braking: Hydraulic drum brakes were widespread, offering better, more consistent stopping than earlier mechanical systems.
4. Lighting: Standardized 7-inch sealed-beam headlights were adopted across U.S. models in 1940, significantly improving nighttime visibility.
5. Chassis and suspension: Body-on-frame construction remained common; independent front suspensions were increasingly used for better ride and handling.
6. Bodies: All-steel bodies with “streamlined” styling dominated, alongside limited wood-bodied wagons; two-tone paint and integrated fenders reflected evolving design.
7. Safety: Seatbelts were not standard; laminated glass was common, but crumple zones and airbags were decades away.
8. Tires and fuel: Bias-ply tires were the norm; gasoline was leaded, with manual choke/starting procedures still familiar to drivers.
9. Performance and comfort: Typical cruising speeds were 45–60 mph; heaters and radios were available or optional; ventilation and insulation improved cabin comfort.

These technologies made 1940 cars far more reliable and comfortable than those of the 1920s, while setting the stage for postwar advancements in safety, efficiency, and convenience.

Production and the Impact of World War II

In 1940, the U.S. auto industry was rebounding from the Great Depression and delivering strong volumes. Europe, however, was already shifting to war production: the U.K. and other combatant nations curtailed or halted civilian car manufacture, redirecting factories to military vehicles, aircraft, and equipment. The United States continued civilian output through 1941, but after entering the war, it ordered a stop to civilian car production in early 1942 as plants retooled for wartime needs. As a result, 1940 and 1941 model-year cars became some of the last prewar vehicles seen on American roads until production restarted after 1945.

Roads, Fueling, and Daily Life Behind the Wheel

Infrastructure shaped how people used cars. In the U.S., nationwide paved-road networks were expanding, and on October 1, 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened as the country’s first long-distance, limited-access “superhighway,” previewing postwar expressways. Gasoline stations were widespread and prices were low by today’s standards, though later wartime rationing would limit civilian use. Drivers still performed frequent maintenance—regular greasing, short-interval oil changes, tire checks—and often “warmed up” engines before setting off, but everyday motoring was firmly part of modern life.

Legacy

The year 1940 sits at a turning point: cars were already sophisticated, widely owned, and central to economic and social life, yet on the cusp of a wartime pause that would accelerate technological innovation. After 1945, many of the era’s ideas—from automatic transmissions to streamlined design—re-emerged and rapidly evolved, shaping the mass-market automobiles of the 1950s and beyond.

Summary

There absolutely were cars in 1940—and many of them. In the United States alone, more than 27 million were registered, and globally, motorists could choose from a wide range of models and technologies. Innovations like sealed-beam headlights and the first mass-produced automatic transmission arrived that year, even as the war in Europe began to restrict civilian car production. The 1940 automotive landscape blended maturity with momentum, poised for rapid postwar transformation.

What was a popular car in the 1940s?

The 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline Aerosedan was Chevrolet’s most popular model in 1947. This car featured fastback styling which was in high demand in the 1940s. This led to increased sales. Learn all about the two-door 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline Aerosedan.

Did people have cars in the 1940s?

America had fully embraced the automobile by the dawn of the 1940s. As of 1941, about 88 percent of US households had a family car and that number was rising. A 1942 model Ford Super Deluxe two-door sedan cost around $920 brand new, roughly one third of an average yearly income.

When did cars start to exist?

The first modern car, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, was built by Karl Benz between 1885 and 1886. Benz applied for a patent for his three-wheeled, internal-combustion-powered vehicle on January 29, 1886, a date often considered the “birth certificate of the automobile”.
 
Key Facts 

• Inventor: Karl Benz
• Year: 1885-1886
• Type: Three-wheeled, gasoline-powered motor vehicle with an internal-combustion engine.
• Significance: It is widely regarded as the first practical automobile for everyday use.

What did a car cost in 1940?

In 1940, the average price for a new car was around $850, though prices varied by manufacturer and model, with some low-cost models like the Willys starting as low as $495 and a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe beginning around $599 for a base model. 
Here’s a breakdown of car prices in 1940:

• Average Price: Approximately $850. 
• Lower-Cost Models: A Willys automobile started at about $495. A standard 1940 Ford Coupe cost $599. 
• Specific Models: A 1940 Plymouth 2-door sedan cost $739, and a 1940 Pontiac DeLuxe Torpedo Six was priced at $828.