1941 Chevrolet Master 85 / Special Deluxe Business Coupe

For Marcel Weyers, a simple family vacation in the United States sparked a lifelong passion. It was during a car show in Orlando, Florida, that Marcel’s interest in hot rods and custom restorations truly ignited. The gleaming lines, the rumble of powerful engines, and the sheer artistry on display captivated him. When he returned to South Africa, he knew one thing: he needed to find a car that could become his masterpiece.

Owner: Marcel Weyers
Builders: Marcel Weyers, Rynard Meyer, Vivian Weyers, and the EXCEL TOOLING team
Location: Port Elizabeth

The Search and the Find
Marcel had always been drawn to the sleek, sloping rear ends of early 1940s Coupes. So, when he spotted a 1941 Chevrolet Coupe in a body shop in Port Elizabeth, he knew he had found his canvas. The car was in relatively good shape, but its dated appearance was a throwback to the early ’90s. It sported a two-tone paint job—silver fenders and running boards contrasting with a blue bonnet, roof, and boot. The interior, a mix of black seats with white inserts, hinted at its potential, but it needed a modern overhaul.

Revamping the Beast
The deeper Marcel dug into the Coupe, the more he realized how much work was ahead. The car was a mishmash of VW Golf and BMW parts—everything from the instrument cluster and steering wheel to the brake booster and gear shift had to be upgraded. Marcel was determined to bring this classic into the 21st century while infusing it with a unique character. The result? A Punisher-themed hot rod with modern amenities like a push-button start and fuel injection.

Bringing Out the Details
While the body was solid, there were small signs of wear—slight rust bubbling under the doors and a need for finer detailing. The Coupe originally came with minimal chrome trim, a hallmark of the Master 85 model. To elevate its look, Marcel re-chromed the grille and imported extra trim from the 1940 Special Deluxe model. This addition not only broke up the blue paint but also accentuated the car’s lines.

The original taillights were a quirky touch—sourced from a Mini Cooper. Marcel kept the light assembly but replaced the lenses with hand-rolled aluminum plates featuring Chevy Bowtie cutouts, adding a custom flair that tied the rear together beautifully.

Air Ride Dreams and Torque-Thrust Wheels
Marcel had always admired the “slammed to the ground” look, so an air ride suspension was a must. The Coupe’s existing Jaguar XJ6 suspension was modified to accommodate Airlift’s air suspension system. The differential ratio was also swapped from 4.5:1 to a cruising-friendly 3.07:1 limited slip, perfectly balancing performance with a relaxed drive.

For wheels, Marcel turned to Concept Wheels in Port Elizabeth, selecting a set of American Racing Torq Thrust II rims. The big-and-small combo—17-inch 225s up front and 20-inch 245s at the rear—gave the Chevy an aggressive stance, perfect for its new persona.

Power Under the Hood
When it came to the engine, Marcel went all out. He imported a powerhouse from Summit Racing, a Chevy small block stroked to 383 cubic inches, built by Blueprint Engines in the USA. With a FiTech Go EFI 4 600HP fuel injection system and an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, the motor specs are nothing short of insane. This beast pumps out 432 horsepower and 440 ft-lbs of torque, more than enough to get this classic moving with authority.

The TCI StreetFighter 700R4 automatic transmission, also from Summit Racing, ensures that power is delivered smoothly and reliably, making the Coupe a joy to drive.

Interior Innovation
The interior needed a complete reimagining. The existing dash housed a VW City Golf cluster, but instead of starting from scratch, Marcel had the cluster 3D scanned and re-engineered to fit new old-school dials from Classic Instruments. The final product—a CNC-machined aluminum cluster anodized in black with the Punisher logo engraved—was a work of art.

Other interior details, such as the glovebox lid, shifter box, door handles, and brake reservoirs, were crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail. The BMW M3 seats were reupholstered in black leather with white stitching and Punisher logo embroidery, courtesy of Professional Motor Trimmers in Port Elizabeth. The steering column was replaced with a Summit Racing unit, mated to a Jaguar power steering rack, ensuring that the driving experience was as smooth as the car’s new look.

A Shining Finish
The bodywork was entrusted to Ducor Body Works in Port Elizabeth, where it received a custom metallic blue paint job. “Who doesn’t like blue?” Marcel quips. The color truly comes to life under the sun, giving the Coupe an unmistakable presence.

A Legacy in the Making
The level of detail in this build is astounding. When asked what’s next, Marcel grins and mentions his father’s 1946 Chrysler Windsor with suicide doors—a Sunday cruiser with enough horsepower to get you where you need to go, fast.

Marcel extends heartfelt thanks to his father, George Michael Weyers, for his input and guidance, his uncle Vivian Weyers for mechanical work, Rynard Meyer for auto electrical work and air ride installation, and the entire team at Excel Tooling for their unmatched craftsmanship. He also thanks True Friend Productions in Port Elizabeth for the stunning photographs that capture every detail of his one-of-a-kind creation.

Motor Specifications

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