1949 Chrysler Town & Country

Sold $44,800 USD

• Chryslers flagship post-war convertible, priced more than 20 percent above the comparable New Yorker
• One of only 993 examples produced
• Attractively finished in burgundy over a matching burgundy interior with a tan folding soft-top
• Powered by Chryslers 324-cid Spitfire straight-eight engine
• Well equipped with a push-button radio, heater, dual side mirrors, and chrome wheel covers

The Town and Country Convertible represented the pinnacle of Chryslers post-war lineup, blending luxury, craftsmanship, and exclusivity in a manner few American automobiles could rival. Priced more than 20 percent above the comparable New Yorker it was based on, the Town and Country ranked among the most expensive domestic convertibles of its day and quickly became a top choice for socialites, heads of industry, and Hollywood celebrities.

The 1949 model year marked Chryslers first comprehensive post-war redesign while also signaling the final chapter for the limited-production Town and Country Convertible based on the New Yorker. Although the celebrated wood-bodied appearance remained, the construction was significantly modernized. The structural white ash framework of earlier Town and Country models gave way to an all-steel body adorned with decorative ash trim and mahogany-style Di-Noc panels or painted body-color inserts. Chrysler promoted the redesign as offering greater durability, improved safety, and reduced maintenance while preserving the models unmistakable character.

Pekin Wood Products of Helena, Arkansas, fabricated the decorative wood trim before final assembly at Chryslers Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit. Beneath its elegant exterior, the Town and Country featured independent front suspension, a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Power came from Chryslers smooth and dependable 324-cubic-inch Spitfire straight-eight, paired with the refined Presto-Matic semi-automatic transmission. Luxury appointments included a waterproof ignition system, electric clock, cigar lighter, and two-speed electric windshield wipers. Production totaled just 993 examples for 1949, making surviving cars highly desirable today.

Finished in an attractive burgundy exterior over a matching burgundy interior with a tan folding soft-top, this Town and Country Convertible is handsomely equipped with dual side mirrors, a push-button radio, heater, chrome full-wheel covers, and wide whitewall tires that complement its elegant presentation.

One of Chryslers most distinctive post-war automobiles and among the last of Americas celebrated woodies, this rare Town and Country Convertible offers a compelling combination of luxury, craftsmanship, and exclusivity a rare, landmark design that remains an essential addition to any significant collection of classic American automobiles.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf26/.