1941 Graham Hollywood

This 1941 Graham Hollywood is powered by a small-block Ford V8, which was installed by the previous owner along with a C-4 automatic transmission and a narrowed 9″ rear end. The car was purchased by the seller as an unfinished project in 2006, and a subsequent refurbishment was completed in 2009. Work included a repaint in Cloud Mist Gray, an interior refresh, and more as described below. Additional features include front disc brakes, Mustang II front suspension, and pinstriped 15″ steel wheels. The seller has driven the car about 18k miles over the last 13 years, and approximately 7,500 miles have been added since the engine was overhauled in 2011. Previously featured on BaT in October 2013, this Graham Hollywood is now offered with build sheets, records, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

Bodywork from the cowl aft was produced using body dies from the Cord 810/812, which Graham-Paige had acquired from the Hupp Motor Car Corporation. The Hollywood was produced for 1940 and 1941 only, and this example is one of just 350 built for the second and final year the model was offered. The car featured a rear-wheel-drive layout, which resulted in a shorter front clip and a redesigned front end. The latter was styled by John Tjaarda.

This car was disassembled and missing a number of exterior components when acquired by the seller in 2006, and a donor Hollywood was sourced as a parts car. Bill Ganahl, formerly of Brizio Street Rods, completed reassembly in 2007-2008 and then refinished the car in Ford’s Cloud Mist Gray using PPG single-stage paint. New glass and rubber gaskets were installed along with replacement “bear-claw” door latches and a custom trunk latch. Brightwork was also re-plated, and the seller notes there is now some cracking in the finish. 15″ Wheel Vintiques steel wheels are finished in creme with contrasting pinstripes and wear older Firestone tires.

The interior was refinished by Jack’s Auto Upholstery in October 2009, including replacement seat covers, door panels, kick panels, armrests, and carpets. Power windows have been added to the front doors, though the stock cranks are retained.

Stock instrumentation has been restored and an under-dash AM/FM/CD stereo added. The 14″ Gennie shifter is floor mounted, and seatbelts have been added up front. The five-digit odometer shows 27k miles and has rolled over. The fuel gauge functions intermittently according to the seller.

Originally powered by an L-head straight-six, the car was fitted by the previous owner with a Ford 302, which features an Edelbrock intake and four-barrel carburetor. The engine was removed and overhauled in April 2011 by Center Auto Machine Shop of Oakland, California. Work included an .060″ overbore, polishing the crankshaft, Magnafluxing the cylinder heads, installing an electronic ignition and new water pump, performing a valve job, and more as outlined on a receipt in the gallery. An oil change was most recently carried out in August 2019.

A C-4 automatic transmission sends power to a Ford 9″ rear end with Currie axles, and the previous owner also installed Mustang II front suspension along with front disc brakes. A stainless-steel exhaust with an integrated cross-over pipe is equipped. Additional photos of the underside can be seen in the gallery below.