LOT 287 •
1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport Chassis no. 7411576
Estimate: US$75,000 - US$85,000
Lot 287•
1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport Chassis no. 7411576
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport
Chassis no. 7411576
Chassis no. 7411576
The Chrysler Town & Country woodie was a very exclusive but much desired American luxury car in the years immediately following World War II. Built in both convertible and sedan styles during 1946-1948, the T&C was produced only as a convertible in Chrysler's restyled 1949 Silver Anniversary line. The next year, Chrysler offered the Town & Country exclusively as a 2-door hardtop. The 698 T&C hardtops built for 1950 would be the last of Chrysler's illustrious and prestigious woodies.
Chrysler called their new 1950 two-door hardtop style the "Newport." Marrying the handsome Chrysler hardtop roofline to the T&C's wood-accented body produced a most attractive automobile. The metal roof was painted white, furthering the "convertible hardtop" look. A "Clearbac" wrap-around rear window design distinguished the Chrysler hardtop design.
In its final 1949-1950 rendition, the T&C body panels were steel, with a liberal application of richly varnished ash making up the exterior wood framing. This gave the car all the cachet of a true woodie, while eliminating the potential tribulations associated with fully wooden structures.
The 1950 T&C was built on Chrysler's New Yorker chassis and powered by that Series' powerful and smooth 323.5-cid straight eight engine. A Prestomatic transmission with Fluid Drive enabled semi-automatic gear changes. This large but extremely graceful car rode on a 131.5-inch wheelbase. Its 223-inch overall length made it the longest two-door American car of its era.
A rather amusing tale relates to the original purchase of this Town & Country in that it appears that the car was purchased new for the princely sum of $1, a bill of sale on file testifies to this, the car having been part of an exchange deal. Some years later the car came into what is thought to be the fourth ownership from new in 1990.
On close inspection this appears to be a highly original example and the mileage on the odometer of roughly 67,000 could well be from new. Unquestionably one of the best schemes for these cars of oyster white top over black bodywork it highlights the external wood trim and is enhanced by the plethora of chrome all of which still show well today. The interior upholstery and trim are clearly the originals and bear their age well, with just the carpets in both the interior and trunk showing actual wear. The wood similarly shows age but not deterioration to any major degree. When photographed the car started promptly and was running well, its gearbox selector was shown to need adjustment which we anticipate will be completed by the time of sale.
The historical significance of the 1950-only hardtop styling makes the final Town & Country an especially interesting example of Chrysler's famed wood-clad luxury cars.
Chrysler called their new 1950 two-door hardtop style the "Newport." Marrying the handsome Chrysler hardtop roofline to the T&C's wood-accented body produced a most attractive automobile. The metal roof was painted white, furthering the "convertible hardtop" look. A "Clearbac" wrap-around rear window design distinguished the Chrysler hardtop design.
In its final 1949-1950 rendition, the T&C body panels were steel, with a liberal application of richly varnished ash making up the exterior wood framing. This gave the car all the cachet of a true woodie, while eliminating the potential tribulations associated with fully wooden structures.
The 1950 T&C was built on Chrysler's New Yorker chassis and powered by that Series' powerful and smooth 323.5-cid straight eight engine. A Prestomatic transmission with Fluid Drive enabled semi-automatic gear changes. This large but extremely graceful car rode on a 131.5-inch wheelbase. Its 223-inch overall length made it the longest two-door American car of its era.
A rather amusing tale relates to the original purchase of this Town & Country in that it appears that the car was purchased new for the princely sum of $1, a bill of sale on file testifies to this, the car having been part of an exchange deal. Some years later the car came into what is thought to be the fourth ownership from new in 1990.
On close inspection this appears to be a highly original example and the mileage on the odometer of roughly 67,000 could well be from new. Unquestionably one of the best schemes for these cars of oyster white top over black bodywork it highlights the external wood trim and is enhanced by the plethora of chrome all of which still show well today. The interior upholstery and trim are clearly the originals and bear their age well, with just the carpets in both the interior and trunk showing actual wear. The wood similarly shows age but not deterioration to any major degree. When photographed the car started promptly and was running well, its gearbox selector was shown to need adjustment which we anticipate will be completed by the time of sale.
The historical significance of the 1950-only hardtop styling makes the final Town & Country an especially interesting example of Chrysler's famed wood-clad luxury cars.
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| • | Exempt from tax |
| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |