Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Auburn Fall event, September 1-4, 2016.
Chassis No.
7410157
Estimate:
$ 70,000 - $ 80,000 US
Perhaps the most successful wood-bodied vehicles of all, the Chrysler Town & Country is a well-known design that enjoyed a production run from 1946 through 1949. The wood-bodied Chrysler would be seen in numerous body styles for the better part of a decade. For luxury-minded buyers, it was hard to beat the impressiveness of bodywork that was so clearly handmade, and Chrysler was pleased to emphasize the cars connections to the good life: yachts, hunting and horses were the mainstay of period advertising. The cars commanded a premium when they were new, which made them rare, but time and the elements inevitably claimed most of the natural materials on neglected examples; locating a good Town & Country today is a rare thing indeed.
The 1949 Chrysler Town & Country represented the swan song for the elegant and low-production wooden-bodied model offering as part of the New Yorker series. Although Chrysler continued production of other models, they did not build any more true wood-bodied convertibles. Throughout its short life span the Chrysler Town & Country was always desirable; the cars were fashionable and oftentimes difficult to obtain. This was especially true as production was limited to a mere 993 examples for the 1949 model year.
The 1949 Town & Country convertible offered an all-new body style that was revamped to reflect the trend towards longer, lower and wider styling. The wood was no longer structural, but became decoration, preserving the cars good looks while improving structural rigidity and serviceability.
Featuring a full frame-off restoration to extremely high standards, this handsome convertible was a repeat show winner and remains an exquisite automobile today. The Fog Green finish is correct, and offers a soft and elegant contrast with the woodwork and tan soft-top top. The ash framework is original and has been fully restored and the reproduction Di-Noc panels, while not as convincing as real wood, are nonetheless correct for 1949. Paint and chrome are outstanding; it is stated that this car hasn’t been in need of rust repair or require body panel replacement. The stainless has been buffed, and it offers a highly detailed hood ornament that’s simply spectacular. This car is very impressive at every level.
The interior offers a traditional late-‘40s style with durable and attractive tan Bedford cord and contrasting green leather; a tasteful combination that works well with the rich light green bodywork. As inviting as a wood-paneled study, it was fully restored with the rest of the car and shows almost no wear or signs of use. Correct light green carpets, brilliantly trimmed door panels with lots of bright accents, a leather-wrapped padded dash, and particularly the back seat all look as new. The instruments are housed in a single pod ahead of the driver, as was the fashion at the time, and they are crisply rendered and fully functional. All the chrome remains bright with sharp details, and accessories like the heater and radio operate correctly. The tan canvas top has probably never been folded, and offers a small glass rear window in place of the original plastic curtain for a more formal look. In the trunk are original sisal carpets and a restored steel wheel that is in need of a matching spare tire.
Mechanically, the 1949 Town & Country was largely carryover, including the 323 cubic inch straight eight-cylinder engine. In this car, it was fully rebuilt and detailed for show, demonstrating bright silver paint on the engine, proper “Spitfire” spark plug loom, and an oil bath air cleaner. The massive heater/defroster assembly dominates the passenger side of the engine compartment, and remains fully functional. The Town & Country starts quickly and easily and settles into a powerful-sounding idle. This unit is linked to the renowned Chrysler Fluid-Drive transmission, a curious blend of a manual transmission with a torque converter that in practice is quite easy to drive around town. On the highway, the big eight-cylinder powerplant stretches its legs and can cruise effortlessly at modern highway speeds thanks to a set of 3.54:1 gears retrofitted to the differential. The chassis was also detailed for show during the frame-off restoration, and shows only the most minor signs of use and needs nothing more than a quick wipe-down to be ready for the show field. Correct 8.20-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires were fitted and correct full wheel covers sparkle like new against the color-keyed steel wheels. Additional equipment includes dual exterior rearview mirrors and AM radio.
The “woodies” were dying off in 1949, but the Chrysler Town & Country remained the undisputed queen of the timber-based cars. Sleeker and more modern than the earlier cars, this 1949 is a rare find that has had a top-flight restoration and has been treated as a show car ever since. Recently and extensively serviced, it is ready to show or tour at almost any level.
