1948 Chrysler Town & Country

Long before the Chrysler Town & Country, woodwork was integral to the design and construction of motorcar bodies. The earliest wooden car bodies were simply carry-overs from carriage building, but as station wagons became factory offerings, style influenced the shape, and by the mid-1930s, most American manufacturers offered factory-built people movers with handsome, varnished wood coachwork. But Chryslers Town & Country of 1941 elevated the utilitarian wood structure into a symbol of affluence, thus creating a unique new, uniquely American class of motorcar.

To build the Town & Country, Chrysler contracted (and later acquired) Pekin Wood Products of Helena, Arkansas, to construct the wood body sections, which were then shipped to Detroit for hand fitting, finishing, and final assembly on New Yorker chassis. The T&C was labor intensive to produce, expensive to buy, and required specialized maintenance, but despite a 20% premium over a comparable New Yorker, it was successful enough for other manufacturers to jump on the luxury woody bandwagon though few approached the T&Cs stature. Town & Country cars from the late pre- and early post-war eras rank highest among collectors and are renowned for their build quality and superlative road manners. Those built between 1941-1948 also enjoy official Full Classic designation by the Classic Car Club of America and are very popular among touring enthusiasts.

Presented in handsome colors with a beautifully finished restoration, this 1948 Town & Country Convertible is an outstanding example of Chryslers luxury icon. While little changed over the previous year, for 1948 the traditional mahogany inserts were replaced with metal panels covered in Di-Noc a convincingly realistic decal material which eased production and maintenance costs without diminishing the Town & Countrys visual impact. Speaking of visual impact, this car delivers that in spades in its breathtaking Newport Blue paint scheme - one of our favorite colors on a Town & Country for its nautical-inspired charm.

This T&C is exceptionally well restored, with beautiful woodwork, superb paint and chrome, and a taut dark blue canvas convertible top. The body is accessorized with period correct S & M fog lights and a search light, and the steel wheels wear authentic chrome full wheel covers, shod with a full set of wide whitewall bias-ply tires, fitted in preparation for sale. The gorgeous interior is authentically restored in dark blue leather seats with light grey Bedford Cord inserts, a theme which carries over to the door panels and is complemented by matching blue carpets. A factory radio and a heater are also fitted, and the interior chrome and bright work are excellent.

Chryslers robust 323.5 cubic-inch L-head inline eight may have pre-war roots, but the low-revving, high-torque engine, paired to the 3-speed fluid drive system, delivers a sublimely smooth, relaxed driving experience just what you need when wafting off to the country home for a long weekend of leisure. The big eight sits in a clean and tidy engine bay, detailed with nicely reproduced decals and labels pointing to a high-quality restoration.

Beyond its iconic looks, the Town & Country is a well-built, luxurious automobile that provides a joyful and effortless driving experience. This example has been beautifully restored and is equally well-suited for concours display or for entry into various tours and driving events, including the popular Classic Car Club of America CARavan tours. Desirably equipped and brimming with character, this is stunning example of Chryslers iconic, genre-defining Town & Country woodie.

Offers welcome and trades considered.