GENERAL: A longer wheelbase and completely new body and sheet metal were changes for 1940. The New "Royal Clipper" styling started with an "alligator" type front opening hood. The side panels were removable to get at the engine. The grille had a narrow vertical center bar, topped in name by a horizontal bar. It was of one piece design. The headlights were on top of the fenders and featured sealed beam bulbs. Parking lights were mounted on top of the front fenders. The trunk had more flowing lines with flush tail lamps. The license plate lamp was again in the center of the trunk lid. The bumpers featured two black-finished in dentations running the length of the face bar.

CHEVROLET - MASTER 85 - SERIES KB - SIX:  The Master 85 models did not have stainless steel belt hood or running board moldings. They had plainer upholstery and slightly less standard equipment. Front suspension was still of the leaf-spring, I-beam axle design.

CHEVROLET - MASTER DELUXE - SERIES KH - SIX: Master DeLuxe was now Chevrolet's mid-priced line. These cars had the same styling Master 85s, with more trim. Master DeLuxe identification appeared at the rear of the hood side ventilators. Stainless steel body and hood moldings were omitted. Knee-Action front suspension was standard equipment.

CHEVROLET - SPECIAL DELUXE - SERIES KA - SIX: The Special DeLuxe, Chevrolet's new top-priced line, was a fancier edition of the Master DeLuxe. Stainless steel moldings trimmed the hood and body belt line. Standard equipment included a 30-hour clock front door arm rests, right-hand windshield wiper, twin air horns and a deluxe steering wheel with horn ring. A convertible with a full width rear seat and power-operated top was new. The opera seat coupe was replaced with a 5-passenger coupe having a full rear seat. A choice of different colors of upholstery and convertible tops was offered for the first time by Chevrolet.

Innovations: First use of plastic parts. First stainless steel trim. New shape oil pan. Redesigned valve lifters. Higher charging rate. Helical gear transmission. Cross trunnion type u-joint. Redesigned front cross member

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:

• Series KB - Serial numbers were on a plate on right side of Floor pan in front of front seat. Starting: KB-1001. Ending: KB-20946. Engine numbers were on the right side of engine on milled pad on crankcase near rear of distributor. Starting: 2697268. Ending: 3665902: also, B-105462 to B-221935. "B" prefix on engine number indicates Buffalo N.Y. factory.
• Series KH - Serial numbers were in the same location as on Master 85 models. Starting: KH-1001. Ending: KH-37644. Engine numbers were the same as on Master 85 models.
  
• Series KA - Serial numbers were in the same location as on other models. Starting: KA-1001. Ending: KA-72089. Engine numbers were the same as on other models.

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS:

• 265 Ridge Green
  
• 266 Harbor Blue
  
• 267 Streamline Gray
  
• 268 Port Wine Maroon
  
• 269 Maple Brown
  
• 270 Arden Beige
  
• 271 Battleship Gray
  
• 272 Gulf Blue
  
• 276 Station Wagon Brown
  
• 277 Traverse Green
  
• 280 California Beige
  
• 281 Alameda Green
  
• 282 Beach Ivory
  
• 283 Glamour Gray
  
• 273,274 Black
  
• 275/279 Kingston Gray
  
• 278/284 Ruby Maroon

ENGINE: OHV. Inline. Six. Cast iron block. Bore & Stroke: 3.50” x 3.75”. Displacement.: 216.5 CID. Compression Ratio: 6.25:1. Brake Horsepower: 85 @ 3400 R.P.M. Torque: 170 ft. lbs. @1200 RPM N.A.C.C. H.P.: 29.4. Main bearings: Four. Valve lifters: Solid. Carb.: Carter 1V Model W1-420S.

CHASSIS:

• Master 85 Series: W.B.: 113 in. Tires: 16 x 6.00.
• Master DeLuxe Series: W.B.: 113 in. Tires: 16 x 6.00.
• Special DeLuxe Series: W.B.: 113 in. Tires: 16 x 6.00.
  

TECHNICAL: Manual Synchromesh transmission. Speeds: 3F/1R. Column gearshift (vacuum type) controls. Single-plate clutch. Semi-floating rear axle. Overall ratio: (Master) 3.73:1: (Others) 4.11:1. Four wheel hydraulic brakes. Steel spoke wheels.

OPTIONS:

• Bumper guards.
• Cigar lighter.
• Clock.
• External sun shade.
• Fender skirts. 
• Fog lamps.
• Full wheel discs.
• Heater.
• Hood ornament (plastic).
• Master grille guard.
• Radio antenna.
• Radio. 
• Rearview mirror.
• Seat covers.
• Spotlight.
• Wheel trim rings.
• Whitewall tires.
  

SIGNIFICANT HISTORY:

Models introduced Sept. 1939. Calendar year registrations: 853,529. Calendar year production: 895.734. Model year production: (Master) 116.618: (Master DeLuxe) 232,510: (Special DeLuxe) 430,945: (Total) 775,073. General Manager: M.E. Coyle.

A Model 85 Business Coupe driven by Juan Manuel Fangio won the 6,000-mile Gran Primo International Del Norte race in Argentina. Fangio averaged 55 mph. He came in over an hour ahead of the second-place car. Three Chevys were among the top ten finishers in this contest. Chevrolet also signed its first contract for U.S. Government weapons production in April, 1940.

Production: