Ever since the first cars hit the roads, the American consumer has spurred sales by following trends in the industry. In recent times, muscle cars, minivans, and luxury trucks have made consumers happy and put money in the bank accounts of carmakers. In the 1940s, one of the more popular trends was that of cars with wood as a design feature. Chrysler led the way, but GM and Ford weren’t far behind in pursuing this popular market with wealthy consumers. Are you looking for one of the more distinctive postwar American sedans with a wealthy provenance? This 1948 Chrysler Town and Country for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Chicago, Illinois is a former estate car from the Breyer’s Ice Cream family and is being offered for a cool $45,000. Would you be willing to be this stunning car’s next caretaker? Thanks to Sam61 for the tip on this unique MOPAR?
From the first days of automobile production, carmakers extensively used wood in the construction of cars and trucks. Whether the whole body was made of wood or the framework underneath the sheet metal was of natural origin, wood was an integral part of construction in the early days. Ford’s need for wood drove the company to procure vast swaths of Michigan timberland to supply the assembly lines with this crucial component. With the average Model T needing 100 board feet of lumber, the waste produced was considerable. Ford, whose leader was never one to waste anything, converted that waste wood to charcoal (now called Kingsford Charcoal) and sold both bags of the fuel and grilles to customers in showrooms. Wood was used in cars well into the thirties and early forties, but the percentage of wood in the average automobile automobile shrank with each passing year. 1948 was the last year it was used as a structural component by a member of the Big Three.
Yet a curious thing happened on the way to wood’s automotive obsolescence. While wood was still used to make station wagons up to World War II, automakers such as Ford, GM, Packard, and Chrysler began to offer upscale models with eye-catching wood exterior trim. Chrysler’s Town and Country line became the most famous and widely seen of these stylish vehicles. The Town and Country name lasted from 1940 to its last appearance on a car in 1988. By that time the “wood” consisted of plastic trim and vinyl decals. From the period of 1940 through 1942 and from 1946 through 1950, actual wood panels were used in the construction of Chrysler’s upper-end station wagons, four-door sedans, two-door hardtops, and convertibles. Sales of these eye-catching Chryslers were modest in comparison to other models, but these cars brought in upper-crust buyers and were quite profitable despite the work entailed in building them.
The 1948 Chrysler Town and Country sedan you see here was part of the Breyer’s estate outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the ad, the seller states that it was purchased in 1948 by Henry Breyer, who was the grandson of the founder of Breyer’s Ice Cream. Somewhere along the line, the car went into storage for 55 long years. It was then mechanically restored by a California owner. Then, it was sold to the seller who performed a cosmetic restoration. The ad states that the seller is the fourth owner of the car, so there must have been another one somewhere in the car’s story.
The scope of the cosmetic restoration was to make the car presentable rather than bring it to show winning condition. The seller calls it a “rather nice, presentable woody classic for parades and car shows.” In the pictures, we can see that the car is in excellent shape for its age and was likely provided proper storage during its dormant period. The only glaring issue would be the upholstery in the back seat area. One would assume such an expensive car was upholstered in leather, but if any readers know for certain please let us know in the comments. What we see has the appearance of vinyl. The waviness of the seams and the uneven nature of the material suggest that the work was done by an amateur.
As for the exterior, 1948 was the year that Di-NOC vinyl panels replaced genuine Honduran mahogany in the inserts. The framing is assumed to be made of white ash to provide a color contrast. It was also the last year for the Town and Country sedan. Looking over the pictures provided reveals very few obvious flaws in this car. It lives up to the seller’s presentable description, but an inspection by an expert in wood-bodied cars would be prudent. There is regular maintenance involved in keeping these panels in good shape and even more work to prepare the car for concours judging. The craftspersons who specialize in vehicles such as this are rare and their labor does not come cheaply.
Wood-bodied vehicles are, once again, very popular among well-heeled collectors, and a car like this could end up being restored to perfection to make its rounds among upper-level automotive events. Having the Breyer’s history would also benefit the car’s chances at such events. Still, it seems a shame to restore such a distinguished car for the sole reason of chasing trophies. The seller states that they would like to get their investment in the car back, but they are open to offers. Maybe this is the right time to pick up a Town and Country before the upper class reclaims it.
Are you a fan of wood-bodied automobiles? Would you like to own this Town and Country sedan? If you did, what would you do with it? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Shhh, don’t talk like that, or you’re not going to get any ice cream!
Family friends had a similar 48 🤔 DeSoto Carryall ,designed with a fold down rear seat, providing extra space for long items. A great idea, especially since they wintered in Florida. Looks like this Chrysler might have that feature. While I have a fondness for DeSoto and Ice cream 🍦, I would not scream for this Woodie at this price, or WOOD I? 😉
That’s the vinyl-i-est vinyl I’ve ever seen.
One often sees a combo of leather/vinyl trim
with cloth plaid inserts, which is lovely.
Couple of things to unpack here.
First, the ad says nothing about a Breyer grandson purchasing the car originally. It only mentions Henry Breyer, who could have been either the son (William Henry Breyer II, 1904-1972) or the grandson (William Henry Bryer III, 1930-2019) of the Breyer’s founder. Since the grandson would have been 18 in 1948 seems more likely the car was purchased by his dad (44 in 1948) but the ad doesn’t say.
Second, these two sentences can’t both be correct: “… from 1946 through 1950, actual wood panels were used….” and “1948 was the year that Di-NOC vinyl panels replaced genuine Honduran mahogany in the inserts.” In fact, the DI-NOC panels replaced the wood some time in the 1947 model year and 1950 T&Cs just had the wood framing and no inserts.
As for the interior, the brochure says it was was leather and “Saran” woven plastic.
Oh my! Yesterday, November 22, was the day (in 1959) that my parents bought our 55 DeSoto, fresh from service as a family car at a local funeral home for our family car, while Dad got a new 59 Studebaker Lark to drive to work. Love at first sight for that Black Beauty DeSoto. As for the Lark? A genuine 🍋. 🎵 It’s odd what RECALL 🎶 and strange what we FORGET! 🎵But I will ALWAYS recall my Love affair with the last DeSotos. 💕
Incredible! Perfect example of a great Chrysler Corporation instead of the Fiat inspired POS Chrysler. I hope Stellantis goes bankrupt. Maybe they can plan another EV that no one wants?
Down boy.
Gawd that interior upholstery is HORRID! That this has been for sale for 12 weeks in a large metropolitan area tells you something right there too!
The only thing it tells me is the price is too high.
Very few pictures for a car that’s price is $45K, and not one single pic of its beautiful straight eight engine. It also lists trans as an automatic, when it was probably a fluid drive. Interested buyers of these cars have certainly dwindled.
Something about a car with wood. Sweet.
I’ve always been a fan of Chrysler woodies. All makes of woodies actually. I have wanted one of these Town and Country woodies for forty years but they have always been beyond my means. Since I’m not really sure what the “fair” price is for this is; I would consider paying for a professional survey if I were a serious buyer. Condition and originality are everything in the woodie market. As the author points out; wood work on these is not a job for the average person to undertake. Highly specialized woodworking is very expensive and craftsmen who have the skills and tools to shape and join the complex wood on these are a rare commodity. That said; the wood on this one looks pretty good from what I can tell from the pictures. From my admittedly limited knowledge; the upholstery is not correct if originality is the goal. The top is wrinkled too. These items need to be reworked as it detracts from the overall presentation. For me, the somewhat sketchy previous ownership means nothing. But because I will never be able to buy anything like this means my opinion is pretty much worthless. Also one other nitpick. The seller wants $45k for the car. So where are pictures of the engine and underneath? I mean you do want to sell it don’t you?
Not necessarily. The wife might have been nagging him to sell it for so long that in the end he gave up, told her he would sell it but then priced it so high that he could tell her that nobody wanted it, so he may as well keep it!
The price is no where nearly as crazy as the 55 and the Judge listed elsewhere today.
I thought Chrysler was still doing suicide doors in ’48. The interior would look a lot nicer with that beautiful Highland Plaid.
Agree on the transmission. If this is indeed a 48 T&C then it is based on the Windsor and would be a 6 cyl. They made New Yorker (8Cyl) sedans in 46 only, maybe 100. All 47 and 48 sedans were Windsors.