Vehicle Description
1952 Dodge Wayfarer Sedan
The Dodge Wayfarer was introduced in 1949 and was the company's
entry-level vehicle. It was offered as a two-door, six-passenger
sedan, a two-door, three-passenger coupe and as a two-door,
three-passenger roadster. The roadster body style was initially
offered with removable windows, which were superseded by roll-up
windows with vents in 1951. The 1949 and 1950 Wayfarer are of the
last production roadsters built in America, with the exceptions of
the Corvette and the Kaiser-Darrin. Like many automakers, the Dodge
vehicles were not ready with its first all-new postwar cars in time
for the fall 1948 new car roll-outs. So the 1948 Dodges were sold
through April as the 'first Series'. The second series of 1949
models were completely new, with the exception of the L-head
six-cylinder engine found under the bonnet. The 1951 and 1952
Wayfarer models were virtually identical. The 1951 season saw the
Wayfarer receive several styling updates which would remain through
the 1952 season. They had a new hood, grille and bumper
modifications. The bumpers had a rounded cross-section, the hood
sloped smoothly to the grille, and a single chrome stripe was
placed on both the front and rear fenders. The Wayfarer name could
be found on the front fenders, and the Dodge crest was located in
the center of the hood. Just under 80,000 examples were produced in
1951. The biggest news for the Wayfarer series for the 1952 model
year was the absence of the Roadster body style. 1952 would also be
the final year for the Wayfarer. For 1953, the Meadowbrook Series
would serve as the company's entry-level vehicle.
Offered for consignment and your viewing pleasure, a final year
1952 Dodge Wayfarer showing 4,943 original miles which cannot be
title verified, but after looking under, over, around, and
throughout this example you'll be hard pressed to think otherwise.
Bought and stored by a Texas auto dealer with 1 mile on the
odometer, this sedan stayed in storage until 1976 when Thomas
Barrett found and purchased the car. Our consignor is includinga
news article describing this find as well as the original owners
manual, a repair manual, and some dealership brochures. Always
collector owned and clearly well maintained, this pedestrian car
was the entry level car from the Dodge camp. Take a second and
breathe in all the originality!
Exterior
It'shard to argue with factory installed steel, and this car has
it. From the well minded gaps to the beautiful coat of shining
paint in Superior Blue that adorns the exterior straight steel
panels of this massive slab sided car we are in factory fresh
heaven. From mid door forward appears to be a respray, but it is
difficult to notice unless the car is in direct sunlight. All
chrome on this car is beautifully preserved, and even the door
handles retain their vivid shine. Speaking of vivid color, we need
to look closely at the cloisonne badge on the leading edge of the
hood which is near perfect. Just above, residing top dead center of
the bulbous hood, is aram hood ornament with curled horns, again
factory fresh. The large bumpers and their guards and a big front
chromedoval grille surround are spotless and I cannot stop looking
at my reflection in them. All window trim is buttoned up and just
beautiful and a quick view of the side profile shows the forward
thinking at Dodge with a slightly custom fastback roofline. This
side view also allows us to explore the twin mid beltline trim
spears with one gracing the front fenders along with Wayfarer and
Gyromatic badging, and another on the semi-pontoon styled rear
quarters. Out back is the sloping trunk lid with its pristine
guarded bumper below and chrome trimmed upright rectangle tail
lights to either side. 6.70-15 blackwall tires from the 10th week
of 2017 wrap Superior Blue painted steel wheels and Dodge badged
dog dish wheel covers, which are excellent. Overall the exterior of
this car is extremely fine in presentation and nearly showroom
fresh.
Interior
Near showroom door panels utilize painted uppers in taupe, with
some textured tan broadcloth housing the perfect gray and blue
striped vinyl armrest, shiny door actuators and window cranks and a
straight trim piece which delineates the broadcloth from the lower
brown vinyl. Very tastefully done and all near perfection. A
straight unmarred taupe finished steel dash has plenty of chromed
trimmed gauges in square and round format. The bottom of the dash
cascades in a curve toward the floor, but before it gets there is
housing the radio and heater delete panels, a metal vertical ribbed
and screened speaker cover and a shiny ash receptacle. A large
metal door glovebox resides in front of the passenger side along
with an analog clock. Simply beautiful will best describe the
original steering wheel and horn rim topping a big steering column
with its chrome and red center badge. Sitting in front of the dash
is a long complimenting tan with black ticking broadcloth split
bench still being protected by the same style clear plastic
slipcovers grandmother kept on her couch. The rear bench takes on
the same look and covering and has small outboard armrests
integrated into the side panels. Low pile tan carpet that is very
clean is on the floors in the rear and up front is a utilitarian
ribbed black mat, again all original. Above is a tan mohair
broadcloth headliner that hangs tightly to the roof.
Drivetrain
A 230ci L-head inline 6 cylinder in just clean and pristine
condition resides under the hood and can be verified as original
and correct to the car. A 1-barrel Stromberg BXVD carburetor feeds
this engine and a Gyro-Matic 4-speed fluid drive semi-automatic
transmission is strapped to the back of the engine. 3.90 gears for
the rear, and we are all good to go.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust is seen on the usual suspects but it is sparsely
appearing. Slightly worn gray/blue paint is showing on the rock
solid flooring and rockers and such as suspension, and black is
reserved for the frame. Independent coil spring suspension for the
front and leaf springs on the rear are noted as are 4-wheel drum
brakes. Just the way the
Drive-Ability
Due to an aversion to plastic coverings, protective or not, I
deferred to our test driver for this one and he reported a quick
start, smooth idle, and much comfortable ease of operation. Not a
fireball in the acceleration department, but then again it is a
family cruiser, which it handles just perfectly. A clean driver
with no smoke and the only flaw to be noted is that occasionally
the low range of the Gyro-Matic transmission would not shift into
its upper gear.
Before you is a great example of this model year and car, with all
features functional, beautiful exterior paint and chrome, a snazzy
interior right out of 1952, and smooth running engine and
drivetrain. Even down to the trunk interior it has the original
jack, spare and literature. An awesome, unrestored, well preserved,
and well-kept example ready to turn the key and enjoy
immediately.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
