The 1940 Schwinn Auto-Cycle SPECIAL (ads, reference pics, special features, actual photos, extended to 1941?)

[SJ_BIKER]

The 1940 Schwinn autocycle special was a simple bicycle and according to literature you needed a few features....standard equipment as follows:
White wall tires
Springer fork
Rear drum brake with special brake lever
Front high flange hub

Fender light front fender - not part of ad list

Along With hanging tank and 6 hole rack
Cantilever models were available along with straight bar and some ladies versions too.

If you feel like sharing post something you got or have come across....
There is one ad that appears to be 1941 bicycle with some special features...just have not seen an ad calling it a special model

 

[SJ_BIKER]

This one as stated above looks like 1941. I do not have an ad to see if it's an actual model as it is missing the rear drum and has no tank to be like the 1940 special model. Pretty close though....

 

[1817cent]

I owned this bike a while back. Always thought it was a 40 "new" Autocycle.

 

[markivpedalpusher]

@cyclingday

 

[elginkid]

I owned this bike a while back. Always thought it was a 40 "new" Autocycle.

View attachment 2192879

I have the 1940 women’s Hollywood Special (which matches that Autocycle especially well), equipped as noted in the catalog, spring fork, rear drum brake and high flange front hub. I’m definitely considering the front drum brake swap because the rear drum absolutely does not cut it alone for safety. This is one of my favorite bikes, it’s such a nice rider.

 

[ballooney]

Here is an example of the special and as I read the catalog what make it 'special' are the hubs and the paint scheme. Here are some pics of when I owned it:

The pic Jay @1817cent posted is what I would consider a 'regular' autocycle,

 

[cyclingday]

My interpretation of the 1940 catalog listing of the Auto Cycle Special, is that it was the first and only model that year, to couple the Cantilever frame design with the new Fenderlight.
It was all about the Cantilever frame and that Fenderlight.
The color combinations or the equipment options could’ve been anything from the 1940 catalog.
If it had the hanging cantilever tank and the streamlined fenderlight, then it was a 1940 Auto Cycle Special.

 

[elginkid]

My interpretation of the 1940 catalog listing of the Auto Cycle Special, is that it was the first and only model that year, to couple the Cantilever frame design with the new Fenderlight.
It was all about the Cantilever frame and that Fenderlight.
The color combinations or the equipment options could’ve been anything from the 1940 catalog.
If it had the hanging cantilever tank and the streamlined fenderlight, then it was a 1940 Auto Cycle Special.

Based on the Catalog, the “specials” were fancier sub models under each of the 3 Auto-Cycle tiers.

The “Auto-Cycle Super Deluxe” had the fender bomb/dual headlight combo, coaster script hubs, and springer fork/dashboard as standard, and the “special” added WSW tires and front/rear drums.

The “New Auto-Cycle” still had the tank but used fender light, and a truss fork and rear coaster/script front hubs were standard, and the “special” model added the spring fork, high flange front/rear drum and WSW tires.

The “New Auto-Cycle (unequipped)” had no standard headlight, but the “special” version added WSW tires and the fender light.

 

[kenny_hungus]

@cyclingday

View attachment 2192899

KENNY THE KING HUNGUS OWNED THAT BAD BOY ON THE LEFT AT ONE TIME...........................LOOKING GOOD!!!

 

[cyclingday]

KENNY THE KING HUNGUS OWNED THAT BAD BOY ON THE LEFT AT ONE TIME...........................LOOKING GOOD!!!

Love it!
That two tone brown 40 Special sure has made the rounds!
Definitely one of the most circulated bikes in the hobby.
That one traces its lineage all the way back to Eddy Jew.
Anybody know, if he is still around?
Historic bike for sure!
It’s interesting to see each consecutive owner replace the Forebrake, for the Large Flange spool hub, only to realize that it’s suicidal to ride the bike without a Forebrake.
So it gets the spool hub replaced, only to have the next guy swap it back again.
Guys!
It’s not a crime, or sacrilegious to have a Forebrake on a 1940 Auto Cycle Special!