Business Coupe

[BobDeSoto]

Tell me about Business Coupes.

What part was the Business part?

Did a salesman travel around selling cars?

or selling Fuller brushes?

or vacuums?

[martybose]

Business Coupes had a much larger trunk because the forward bulkhead was moved farther forward by eliminating the rear seat altogether.

 

Marty

[Dan Hiebert]

No frills, lots of storage, easy access to wares, least expensive models.  Sometimes called a businessman's coupe.  Every maker had their version with commensurate sales pitches why theirs was better.  Generally only the front seat, back seat omitted for storage.  Easy access to wares from the driver's or passenger's door, such as a two door sedan without a back seat, and access to the trunk behind the front seat.  Another was copious trunk space from configuring the passenger cabin to accommodate only one bench seat, some early post war MoPar business coupes are examples of that version; huge trunk, itty-bitty three window cabin/roof, but they also made a five window cabin without the back seat version. 

[Booger]

seldom an ashtray lighter or radio, but theyre damn cute. This one here is a members I believe

[Loren]

Yes the grey one is my 49 P17.

lots to love about them and lots to improve.

They were the lightest cheapest car MoPar made. I’ve owned a 49 Special Deluxe Club Coupe and I can tell you it was a much nicer car. Things like an air cleaner that was silent, a horn ring, much better seat, nicer door panels, a passenger door lock, 2 horns, chrome around the windows, a front sway bar, a radio grill and more. The customer for a 3 passenger business coupe bought for the price. Where as the Special Deluxe cost more but you really got your money’s worth. I think.

That said, you can always add the good stuff to one, then have the style and nice parts. In a nutshell the Deluxe models aren’t very and Special Deluxe ones really are.

[keithb7]

Did car people just sort of add the word “business” over the last 60 years?  Were they called a business coupe back in 1938? 
 

I hear stories of travelling salesman selling, out of cars like this. The rear  cab wall being removed, and then they could easily sleep in the trunk.  Is this folklore? I’m tempted to try it honestly. Go on a 2 nite road trip. Sleep in my ‘38 coupe. Try and find old roadside cafés to wash up and have breakfast.  Could be fun!