Wooden It Be Nice? 1946 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible
You never know what you might find listed on eBay and this Chrysler Town and Country Convertible is definitely unexpected and rare. This convertible has been sitting for 58 years, which is longer than some of us have even been around. It’s complete, has only surface rust the engine turns and is ready for complete restoration. Woodies began as “station cars”, or “station wagons”. They were sedans modified by replacing the passenger compartment with a wooden structure to carry more people. They were originally used by vacation lodges to pick up their customers at train stations. These station cars were usually very plain, had few creature comforts and were intended only for short trips. Chrysler had a different idea and designed the Town and Country as a luxury vehicle with well-appointed leather interiors and the same lines as their other models. Chrysler was looking to attract upscale buyers. These convertibles were built on the top model New Yorker’s 127.5-inch wheelbase chassis, while the 4 door sedan Town and Country models were based on the smaller 121.5-inch wheelbase Windsor model.
Can you imagine how elegant this interior must have been? There’s not much left of the original upholstery, but most of the pieces are there.
The dash looks complete and in usable condition. Can you imagine how incredible this dash was back in 1946?
It looks like it’s all there, but it’s showing the results of decades in storage. The engine is a 323 CID straight 8 with 135 horsepower. The engine turns so hopefully, it is rebuildable. A V8 might be more powerful, but this straight 8 would be incredibly smooth.
Several pictures of the underside were provided, but none show the center section under the floor. There appears to be only surface rust in what is shown.
This old convertible could be a six-figure car but it will take a lot to get it there, possibly 6 figures. Besides the regular restoration, there is the wood. There are so few of these that no one makes a kit. The white ash frame has unusual finger joints so finding someone skilled enough to restore it will be very difficult. The mahogany inset panels were created by using a special process to laminate the mahogany onto sheet metal. In 1948 Chrysler replaced the mahogany with decals. I hope this car will be saved, but even if you got it for free, it might take more to restore this grand old convertible than it is worth. This car is rare, but so are potential buyers with deep enough pockets. Perhaps there’s someone out there who really wants a nice example and can’t find one for sale. There are no bids so far.
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Comments
These old Town & Country models are in a class all their own. Mechanically, I wouldn’t be afraid to tackle any part of the car itself, even the semi-automatic transmission. My skill sets for wood working fall far short of what would be required to restore this one so I’d have to pass. However, although there are no wood kits for these I understand that the drawings and even copies of the blueprints are available. Given something like that, and with proper woodworking equipment, even amateurs like me could at least BS our way through it. If I had no other projects at hand, I might even be willing to give it a try….
The Semi-automatic is quite simple to operate once you become accustomed to it. I had a ’51 Newport with that, and really you only use the clutch to shift out of neutral or into reverse.
I love the look of it just about the way it is. I would never restore it – just fix it. New top, yes. New seat leather, yes. Mechanical rebuild, yes. Repair the wood, put a coat of wax on the paint, and drive it away!
I agree! It’s a gorgeous automobile, and although restored one’s are great, they tend to lose something of their original selves. I’d give it a mechanical go over, a refresh and a lot of love.
I’ve never been a mopar fan, but I have had dreams (I’m talking actual rem cycle) about owning one of these cars. When they’re done right these cars a beautiful. Of course engineering from the 40’s was not what it is in modern times, like trundle and king pins, yet in they’re Day people had no problem driving these vehicles. My dad (rest his soul) drove a few dodges from the 30’s and 40’s.
Well sometimes my comments don’t show up. So I’ll try again. Never been much of a mopar guy, but these cars are just great. Wasn’t a fan of the trundle and kingpin set up. Engines were under powered, fluid drive was a pain, but one of these fully restored, now that’s something very pleasing to the eye. My dad (God rest his soul) drove Dodges through the 30’s and 40’s and even without power steering or power brakes he managed to motivate quite well in those cars. This car would have to be a trailer queen after restoration because of the difficulty getting body parts if damaged.
Underpowered? Have you ever driven one?
Yes as a matter of fact I have driven more than one of these and most other models from the 40’s up through the 90’s turning wrenches for a living. I still say under powered.
Wow…just wow! Can’t believe this car
was never found and restored until now.
Even run down, she still looks like the
grand old lady she was when new in ’46.
Dad had one back in the day, but sold it
when the wood started to go. Once over
coffee, he told me that he regretted selling it. But back in the late ’50’s, these
were just old used cars to be driven ’till
they dropped and then scrapped. Hope
this car finds a good home and restores
this grand old lady back to her impressive
original condition.
This era is just awesome. Technology no.
This was built with hand tools and determination.
Looks better than any old Porsche I’ve seen on this site of late.
It looks like all the wood is there, which provides templates for new wood.
I’m sure there can’t be any of these left hidden away. I agree with the comment Ken Carney made.
It would be neat to see this old girl come alive and know you are driving a town and country that hasn’t been shown or auctioned to death!
Really? I just bought one. Mecum, Dallas, 2022
In fairly recent auto auctions I have seen these T&C’s go for about $85,000 up to around $145,000. A good restoration would easily cost close to this upper figure, probably even bit more depending on so many factors. If a collector enthusiast just has to have a nice T&C, it might be a wise decision to buy one already restored. The convertibles came in either a six cylinder Windsor or an eight cylinder New Yorker. Our family had a standard 1948 Windsor four door sedan. And YES, it was slow, but so were just about all the others cars around you then. But it was also a great long distance cruiser. Driving one now in today’s traffic would frustrate the hell out of folks behind you taking off on a green light. I know, as I have experienced that with a friend’s restored 1950 Windsor six. But once they get rolling good………Hey!!
The Windsor version was only available in a sedan and was powered by a six cylinder
I’d love to have this car. If for no other reason than to do the wood work. My 51 dodge Mayfair is a similar body style and I’ve given strong consideration to doing woody sides and trunk lid on it. There never was a woody Mayfair but I kind of think that my car would be so cool looking done to appear as one. As for this car I would not replace all the wood. I’d sand and restrain what could be salvaged and cut and splice new wood in where I had to. I’d then coat the wood with a layer of weave fabrics and apoxy resin fallowed by three coats of clear to keep the resin from yellowing in the sun. I’d restore the rest of the car with original drive line, then paint the metal work red with a tan top and tan leather interior. As for my Mayfair if I go ahead with the wood look I’ll use red ceder for the panels and white ceder for the edge frames. Ceder is a wood that is very resistant to rot do to the tannic acid and other natural oils within the grains. Ceder also has a beautiful grain and colour and as with this car fiberglass weave fabric and apoxy resin would be a must on the wood, it makes it super strong and weather resistant. JMHO.
I agree, if the wood is salvageable, restore it. Cedar( notice the a), is very good for surviving the elements, as is teak,that’s why both are used in boat construction, and finally, it’s Epoxy. Atleast you spelled colour right! The wood trim on this car appears to be oak, so watch for slivers!
Well thanks for the spelling lessen Glen. You know I see spelling errors on here all the time, as well as grammatical errors, and Incomplete sentences. These errors are written by staff and commenters alike. So how come your singling me out and not correcting everybody. I’ve read comments that were so bad that you’d have a hard time figuring out what the writer was trying to say, but you don’t see me in there correcting other people. But again thanks for clearing that up for me.
Sorry, no offence,blame my Mom, as she was always correcting my grammar, and I have time to kill ,as I’m in the middle of a freezing rain warning! I have no reason to single you, or anyone else, out.
Know problem Glen, I know I’m not the best writer around. I usually prof my words before I submit. No harm no fowl.
As far as smoothness in a straight eight, it fires every 45 degrees of crankshaft revolution, just as a V 8 does. By it’s nature, Dave, a flathead straight motor has considerably fewer degrees of valve timing, improving idle quality but just about running out of pop at 4000 rpm
If you want to drool over your keyboard there are some gorgeous ones here:
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1946-chrysler-town-and-country-sedan-a-slave-to-fashion-and-varnish/
Magnificent cars, absolutely restore it and yes you will be North of 6 figures and so what. With regard to the wood issue, there is a company in Signal Hill (Long Beach California) that I believe has the smarts to to the woodwork as well as materials. Hemmings Motor News will put you together with the parts necessary and join the Owner’s Club. When the car is done get in, start it, put the top down and drive down the street. You won’t believe it.
Bids over $21k and reserve not met.
This is one of the most beautiful Chryslers ever built. I could go either way with regards to reviving it mechanically and cruising it with patina (which is not just for old farm trucks anymore), or I could definitely get with the idea that it’s deserving of a full and proper total restoration. If so, I’d go all-original, right down to the “old man” beige color, and as close to the original interior as I could possibly find.
It’s not right that the conversation so often turns to six-figure restoration costs, as if so many prospective future owners were no longer capable of doing even the smallest bits of labor themselves to save a few bucks on the total cost.
Also mildly aggravating that some dis this car because it doesn’t have modern mechanicals, has drum brakes, a 6-volt electrical system and that it wouldn’t be able to keep up in today’s rush hour traffic. Which is almost the point in owning it or even looking at a car like this in the first place.
I can’t even look at this/these when they come up I want one SO BAD. The chances of me hitting the Powerball or whatever the big, really big lottery is so slight that,, well, you know. But g*ddam they are beautiful cars, just beautiful.
I feel your pain, my friend. I’ve lusted after the T&C convertibles as far back as I can remember. Seeing them in the pages of Hemmings, and the like. Simply .. DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. At age 53, my chances of having one are near zero. Even as complete, and seemingly solid as this appears, the restore costs on this one will be huge. I do hope she gets the love she deserves, and gets to ride the roads again.
Back when I was 16 my aunt /uncle had a 48 NewYorker 4 dr., learned to drive on it. While the mileage was under 35,000 ran well, like sitting in your L.R., leg room in back seat one could stretch out. Was’nt fast but did well W/ 8, and thee transmission worked, had to put a “free wheeling” gear in it, easy!!
Then after 35-40,000 lost it’s git-up-go and needed an overhaul, Aunt got rid of it too big a car for her. But in it’s time was smooth, quiet, confortable.
Ended: Apr 16, 2018 , 9:00PM
Current bid:US $21,100.00
Reserve not met
[ 3 bids ]