1948 Chrysler Town & Country

Description

This restored 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible, #7406799, engine #C39-62781, is an excellent example of what the Classic Car Club of America considers to be a ‘Full Classic’. This car won the “Most Outstanding Open Car 1946-1954” at the 2014 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. It also won Best of Show in Tucson's 2015 Torquefest at the Pima Air and Space Museum. Series C-39. 135 bhp, 323.5 cubic inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, Fluid Drive transmission, front and rear coil-spring suspension with shock absorbers, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 127.5”. The car includes dual spotlights, amber driving lights, and ash and mahogany wood with leather and Bedford cord interior.

The owner rates the following on a scale of Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent.
Engine: Excellent Body: Excellent Chassis/Frame: Excellent Tires: Excellent Coachwork/Interior: Excellent Electrical Equipment: Excellent Transmission: Excellent Paint: Excellent Overall Condition: Excellent

The Classic Car Club of America has designated these as Full Classics. Despite their practical origins, woodies grew to epitomize distinguished living by virtue of their attractive bodies. The Town & Country holds true to this character and exemplifies the original Chrysler advertisement: “There"s an air about this convertible – a whisper of country clubs and moonlight rides – There’s poise in every line – a car that’s at ease in any company.” Production of the original, woodie Town & Country Convertible started in 1946 and ended in 1950. To say the Town & Country involved a lot of time-consuming hand labor is an understatement. For example, it took 12 workers just to install each convertible top. The woodie’s factory base price of $3,420 made it a gift worthy of a Hollywood starlet, and many silver screen personalities indeed claimed ownership of a Town and Country, from Bob Hope to Wallace Beerie to Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable, who had two (one for town and one for country). There is no doubt the wood-bodied Town and Country was Chrysler’s post-war star — as a convertible, it was priced $839 higher than the eight-passenger limousine, and at 4,338 lbs, it even weighed 297 lbs. more than the limousine, Chrysler’s heaviest all-steel model that year.