Fluted bumpers, fiberglass rear fenders, and a smoothed trunk give this Master 85 the look of a build from when rods were still done this way. Bidding on Bring a Trailer stands at $7,500 with four days left. The seller inherited it in 2024, and a commenter has asked why no driving video is posted.
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What it’s worth right now
Comps on Classic.com and the retail sites span a wide band, with ClassicCars.com showing 1939 street rods from $19,895 and a 350-powered Master business coupe at $50,000. Classics on Autotrader lists 1939 Chevrolets from $1,600 to $88,995.
Finish quality decides where a car lands in that spread, and this is a competent 20-year-old build with visible loose ends rather than a show car. Fair value sits at $14,000 to $20,000, with $17,000 the most likely close. No prior sale price applies.
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Condition and details
The unfinished details are the story. No headliner is installed, the door panels are acrylic, the vent windows do not open, and paint imperfections are noted. None of it is hidden, and all of it is what a buyer either finishes or lives with, but it separates this from a completed build.
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Documentation is mixed. Photographs covering the car from discovery through completion come with a binder of receipts, which is more than most builds this old carry. Against that, the seller reports oil changes close to every 3k miles since 2005 without records, and the carburetor is not currently jetted for high elevation.
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Paperwork needs a careful read. The title uses a VIN supported by an Affidavit of VIN, lists the odometer as 0 and exempt, and an unstamped replacement VIN plate comes along loose. Registration in a strict state deserves a call first, and an inspection should confirm the subframe weld.
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The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Master 85 Business Coupe |
| Year | 1939 |
| Mileage | 14k miles shown on a five-digit odometer, total mileage unknown |
| Engine | 350ci Chevrolet V8 with a Holley 650-cfm four-barrel carburetor |
| Power | Not specified by the seller, and the modified engine alters factory output |
| Transmission | Three-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Gray |
| Interior color | Gray cloth |
| Current bid | $7,500 |
Interested in this Chevrolet business coupe? View the listing here.
What makes the business coupe unique
Business coupes were built for salesmen, trading the rear seat for cargo space, which is why the roofline sits so far back. The 1939 Chevrolet range wore late art deco detailing with a waterfall grille and pontoon fenders, and the Master 85 was the entry series with the 216ci six.
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Those proportions are why the body has always suited rod builders. The long rear deck and separate fenders take a small-block and modern suspension without a chopped roof, and a Camaro front clip has been the standard solution for decades. Values track finish quality far more than originality here.
My take
Fair value sits at $14,000 to $20,000, with $17,000 the most likely result, and the crux is that this is a driver with homework attached rather than a finished car. The hard parts are done, with a straight body, a running small-block, disc brakes, power steering, and build documentation. The loose ends are cosmetic rather than structural, and modifications like these narrow the buyer pool and rarely recoup their cost. Anything to $17,000 works once a video shows it running and driving, with the title questions settled first.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog