Harold LeMay, a Tacoma businessman, loved cars and managed to collect more than 3,000 automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles over forty years of collecting. A number of the vehicles from his collection form the nucleus of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum. This collection of more than 300 cars, motorcycles, and trucks is displayed in a four-level building in Tacoma, Washington. Shown below are some of the cars of the 1940s displayed in this museum. Due to World War II, all American automobile manufacturing stopped in 1942 and resumed in 1946.
Ford:
![photo DSCN4335_zpscf3663c0.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4335_zpscf3663c0.jpg)
![photo DSCN4338_zpsae237631.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4338_zpsae237631.jpg)
Shown above is a 1942 Ford Deluxe, 2-Door Club Coupe.
![photo DSCN5015_zps8366b4ab.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN5015_zps8366b4ab.jpg)
![photo DSCN5016_zps87147e18.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN5016_zps87147e18.jpg)
![photo DSCN5017_zps24a19a07.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN5017_zps24a19a07.jpg)
Shown above is a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Woodie Station Wagon. It sold for $1,855 and a total of 3,520 were built.
Lincoln:
![photo DSCN4582_zps2c8dadd2.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4582_zps2c8dadd2.jpg)
![photo DSCN4581_zps5ef1b2e4.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4581_zps5ef1b2e4.jpg)
Shown above is a 1942 Lincoln Continental, 2-Door Coupe.
![photo DSCN4404_zps70963259.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4404_zps70963259.jpg)
![photo DSCN4405_zpsb98770b6.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4405_zpsb98770b6.jpg)
Shown above is a 1947 Lincoln Mode 76H, 2-Door Convertible Coupe. After World War II, production continued with no changes from the 1942 design occurring until 1948.
Chevrolet:
![photo DSCN4657_zps0ace3ad3.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4657_zps0ace3ad3.jpg)
Shown above is a 1942 Chevrolet “Blackout” 2-Door Coupe. According to the display:
“On December 14, 1941, the government decreed that to conserve scarce metals, all cars built after January 1, 1942 could not use any brightwork apart from chrome-plated bumpers. All cars, including this one, were known as ‘blackouts”. Blackouts of any make are rare; they were only made during January 1942.”
Buick:
![photo DSCN4966_zpsdfcb6ff4.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4966_zpsdfcb6ff4.jpg)
Shown above is a 1949 Buick Super, 4-Door Station Wagon. In 1949, Buick ranked fifth in terms of total production.
Chrysler:
![photo DSCN4324_zpsd4b7087f.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4324_zpsd4b7087f.jpg)
![photo DSCN4323_zps72e69818.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4323_zps72e69818.jpg)
![photo DSCN4325_zps5724499f.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4325_zps5724499f.jpg)
Shown above is a 1942 Chrysler Windsor Highlander.
Oldsmobile:
![photo DSCN4706_zps75482d7b.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4706_zps75482d7b.jpg)
Shown above is a 1948 Oldsmobile Model 66, 2-Door Coupe.
Cadillac:
![photo DSCN4558_zps8bd54b87.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4558_zps8bd54b87.jpg)
![photo DSCN4559_zps10b3fd06.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4559_zps10b3fd06.jpg)
Shown above is a 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.
Plymouth:
Plymouth was introduced in 1928 as Chrysler Corporation’s entry-level car. During the 1940s, Plymouth was ranked as third with regard to American sales.
![photo DSCN4743_zps8a668ef8.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4743_zps8a668ef8.jpg)
![photo DSCN4744_zpsa35402f5.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4744_zpsa35402f5.jpg)
Shown above is a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe, 2-Door Coupe. During 1948, Plymouth rose to second with regard to U.S. sales.
DeSoto:
![photo DSCN4766_zpsb12145ba.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4766_zpsb12145ba.jpg)
Shown above is a 1949 DeSoto Custom, 4-Door Sedan.
Willys:
![photo DSCN4898_zps0c6c262c.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4898_zps0c6c262c.jpg)
Shown above is a 1945 Willys MB U.S. Army Jeep. The Jeep was based on a design originated by American Bantam.
Crosley:
![photo DSCN4647_zps6037e6b9.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4647_zps6037e6b9.jpg)
![photo DSCN4648_zps7412b6fd.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/1940s/DSCN4648_zps7412b6fd.jpg)
Shown above is a 1949 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster. In 1949, however, American consumers were not ready for a small car and Crosley sales dropped from 26,239 in 1948 to just 7,431 in 1949.