1946 Chrysler Town & Country

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 1930s, 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. Chryslers success quickly became apparent and other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon. Ford and Mercury offered the Sportsman, Chevrolet offered Fleetline wagons, and Buicks Roadmaster wagons came closest to Chrysler in terms of luxury and style. But few could match Chryslers 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.