VIN 7401900
- Comprehensive frame-off restoration totaling more than
$200,000
- Beautifully refinished ash framing and mahogany body
panels
- Rich maroon finish with matching leather and broadcloth
interior
- Smooth and relaxed Fluid Drive transmission
While the iconic American Woody may not have been invented by
Chrysler, it can certainly be argued that it was Chrysler that
perfected the concept with their luxurious Town & Country series.
Born out of necessity, the earliest woodies were basic, utilitarian
bodies that were sold in the aftermarket to adapt to existing
chassis such as the Model T. Wood bodied station wagons and depot
hacks proved popular enough to convince Henry Ford to buy his own
forest and offer the bodies himself. As styling became an ever more
crucial factor in selling automobiles, the structural and
functional woodwork grew into a point of style, and by the mid
1930's, many manufacturers, led by Ford, began to offer station
wagons with handsomely finished wood bodies and room for seven or
more passengers. But it was Chrysler who set a new standard for the
woody with their new Town & Country of 1941.
The Town & Country was a top-of-the-line luxury machine that
combined the best of the New Yorker series from the windscreen
forward, in combination with an artfully crafted and opulent wooden
"country home" feel from the windscreen back. The name is credited
to Paul Hafer of the Boyertown Body Works in Pennsylvania, who
suggested the car looked "Town from the front and Country from the
rear." The Town & Country was the first of its kind to be fitted
with an all-steel roof, which was cleverly adapted from a
limousine. It was expensive to build, expensive to buy and required
specialized maintenance but it proved to be enough of a success for
Chrysler to continue production into the post-war era. Chrysler's
success quickly became apparent and other manufacturers jumped on
the bandwagon. Ford and Mercury offered the Sportsman, Chevrolet
offered Fleetline wagons, and Buick's Roadmaster wagons came
closest to Chrysler in terms of luxury and style. But few could
match Chrysler's commercial success, and no others offered the same
diversity of body styles. Staying one step ahead of the
competition, Chrysler eschewed the traditional wood station wagon
roots in the Post War era in exchange for pure style points in the
form of wood-bodied coupe, convertible and sedan models.
The traditional wood-bodied Town & Country remained in production
through 1950, before the expense of hand-building the wood bodies
in Alabama and shipping them to Michigan for fitment and finishing
proved far too costly. Pre- and post-war examples remain highly
prized for their impeccable style and beautiful road manners, and
all models through 1948 have earned their place on the
all-important list of CCCA Approved Full Classics.
Restoring a Chrysler Town & Country is both costly and complex,
requiring expert care to ensure proper body fitment and accurate
wood presentation. Fortunately, the heaving lifting has already
been completed with this award-winning 1946 Town & Country.
Finished in maroon over maroon leather and broadcloth inserts, this
Town & Country is one of the finest examples of the type we have
come across.
Sporting a restoration that totals over $200,000, no aspect of the
Town & Country was overlooked during the comprehensive, frame-off
work. All chrome was removed and re-plated, while both the ash
framing and mahogany exterior were refinished and present
beautifully. The Town & Country was as well fully repainted, and
fitted with correct new upholstery and tan cloth convertible
top.
Today, both wood and steel body fitment are still exceptional. The
maroon paint still retains a fresh glow, while the chrome shines
very bright. Furthermore the car was recently fitted with fresh,
wide whitewall Coker tires. Inside the cabin, the dash is
beautifully detailed and decorated in true post-war, Americana
fashion. This example proudly retains a factory Mopar 802 Philco
radio that has been discreetly enhanced with FM radio.
Of course, the Town & Country is not about speed; rather, it is
about sumptuous luxury and impeccable style. Thanks to the Fluid
Drive transmission, power delivery is smooth, quiet, and
relaxed.
Important, this Town & Country was awarded the best in show award,
the Chrysler Cup, at the 2017 WPC Club National Meet. This award is
truly a testament to the special passion and commitment to restore
a Town & Country properly, and this example has clearly been
treated with the utmost care. Desirably equipped and brimming with
character, this is a Chrysler icon and a genre-defining Town &
Country Woody.
Offers welcome and trades considered.
