Vehicle Description
From the earliest days of motorized transport, the use of timber
was elemental to motorcar construction. A holdout from the days of
carriage building, first motor buggies, and brass-era tourers wore
bodies made entirely of wood, and even as the use of sheet metal
became prevalent, wood still formed the underlying structure of
most car bodies. Wood was so crucial to the automobile business
that Henry Ford bought entire forests in Northern Michigan to feed
Model T production at his revolutionary Highland Park plant. By the
mid-1930's most American manufacturers offered well-equipped
station wagons that boasted increasingly stylish and well-finished
exposed wood bodies. As engineers gradually developed new methods
of stamping and forming metal, woodwork transitioned from a
structural element into a styling feature, before going out with a
flourish in the early 1950s. In 1941, Chrysler took the concept of
the woody to the next level with a New Yorker-based luxury car
equipped with a handsome and beautifully detailed wood station
wagon body. Boyertown Body Works in Pennsylvania handled the
construction of the prototype, and when it emerged from the
workshop, the head of Boyertown Body quipped that it looked "town
in front and country in the back." With that, the traditional,
utilitarian American woody wagon got a glamorous makeover.
Production began in earnest for the 1941 model year but was cut
short in 1942 as Chrysler Corporation halted car production to
support the war effort. Following the War, the Town & Country
returned to the lineup, offered variously as a sedan, coupe, and
convertible. Interestingly, the practical station wagon of the
pre-war era that inspired the whole concept was gone, eschewing
practicality in favor of an outright status symbol. The T&C was
costly to build, expensive to buy, and required specialized care to
keep in top condition. Nonetheless, it was popular with buyers, and
soon other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon with their
interpretations of the luxury woody. However, few could match
Chrysler's commercial success or the sheer sense of occasion when
in the presence of one of these magnificent handcrafted
automobiles. Beautifully presented in a striking combination of red
over a burgundy interior, this 1949 Chrysler Town & Country
convertible is a superb example of America's most iconic woody. For
the 1949 model year, Chrysler reduced the Town & Country line to
just the convertible coupe, building a mere 993 examples versus
more than 8,000 in the previous year. The venerable and
robustSpitfireL-head inline-eight cylinder was standard fitment,
paired with Chrysler's ingenious Fluid Drive 4-speed semi-automatic
transmission. Changes for 1949 included new front end styling, a
redesigned trunk, and Di-Noc wood grain covered inserts replacing
the natural mahogany panels of previous years. However, partway
through production, those changed to painted body-color panels.
This example is one of those later models, with the red-painted
panels accenting the gorgeous ash-trimmed body with dramatic
effect. This rare and desirable Town & Country received a
no-expense-spared nut and bolt restoration to concours standards.
The project reportedly cost more than $300,000, with no detail
overlooked in making this T&C of the finest of its kind. Thanks
to recent expert care in the hands of an enthusiastic collector,
the car remains in superb condition, rich with beautiful details
and craftsmanship. The most critical element of any Town & Country
is, of course, the woodwork, and this car does not disappoint with
its exquisitely crafted joinery, precise alignment, and rich glossy
finish. The sheet metal received similar meticulous care and is
impressively straight, looking resplendent in its red paintwork.
The extensive chrome and polished brightwork are also restored to
concours condition and remain superb. Appointed in maroon leather
and matching carpet, the luxurious cabin presents in beautiful
condition, with a lovely character thanks to the care and enjoyment
it has received since the restoration. The hardware, fittings, and
chrome details are all in excellent order, down to the intricately
detailed window winders and escutcheons. This flagship model
features both the "All Weather" ventilation system and extremely
rare factory signal-seeking radio. A driver-focused binnacle houses
the restored instruments, and the dash features intricately
detailed brightwork. The black canvas top is taut and free of
fading or creasing, and when folded, is finished with a red leather
boot to match the upholstery. Power comes from Chrysler's legendary
flathead inline-eight. The smooth and torque-laden nature of the
eight pairs well with the 4-speed Fluid Drive transmission,
allowing for effortless progress despite the relative heft of the
T&C. Correct clamps, decals, and hardware features throughout
the engine bay. As with the rest of this marvelous car, finish
quality is outstanding, with the engine and undercarriage showing
evidence of light road use. Despite its pride of place at the top
of the range, 1949 proved to be the final year for the top-line
Town & Country convertible, as 1950 models utilized the less
expensive mid-range Newport Hardtop as a base. The cost to build
each car largely by hand proved too much for the accountants to
ignore. Thankfully we have this superb example of Chrysler's
early-postwar flagship, which is prime for touring or casual
drives, while remaining more than worthy of gracing any number of
concours lawns. Owners of vintage car can now sell their classic
cars without the hassle thanks to our classic car consignment
program. Our consignment program is a seamless service designed for
collectors to leverage our global network and broker a private
sale. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6617-1949-chrysler-town-country-convertible/