If you ask me, Chrysler built some of the best looking woodies ever crafted. The 1949 Town and Country is personally one of my all time favorites, but sadly they didn’t build many and they are rather difficult to come by. That being said, I’m extremely excited to be featuring this ’49 T&C Convertible as a BF Exclusive! Reader Dean M has decided to part ways with it and admit that after sitting for years, it needs a complete restoration. He asking $11,500 but is willing to entertain reasonably close offers! It’s currently located in Laguna Hills, California. If you’d like to make him a reasonable offer, be sure to email him here!
From Dean – This ’49 Town and Country convertible is one of a 100 or so that remain of the 993 that were made by Chrysler that year. This was the first year where they removed the wood veneers off the doors and trunk lid and had a lower ride height making for a classier look in my opinion.
This beauty came from the factory a black car with blue upholstery and a white top which is a great color combination.
This Town and Country needs a complete restoration and has some rust, primarily in the bottom of the doors and the rockers. Everything is there but there is significant damage to the driver side front fender and the front grill. I have 4 replacement fenders for the front and back and an extra hood that goes with the vehicle. A grill can be easily sourced as you can use almost any model of Chrysler grill from that year.
Almost all of the wood is there minus some areas that experienced some dry rot in the bottom of the doors. The wood obviously needs restoring. Interior is rough but everything is there and there appears to be no rust in the floor boards.
The engine is complete and untouched, I have not attempted to turn it over. There is nothing that is missing on the car that I am aware of.
Any trim piece that is not on the car is in the trunk or comes with it like the long ones that go over the rockers. I also have all of the loose ash wood pieces as well. Will consider offers close to asking price.
This Town and Country is in need of a lot of work, but I have no doubt it is more than worth the hard work! There weren’t many of these convertibles built and nice examples can fetch big money! If it were closer, I’d be extremely tempted to take it on. When will you have another chance to own a convertible woodie like this one? Just think how amazing it would be to put the top down and hit the open road in it once finished!
My Dad just called… Did You see that T&C on Barn Finds ?! LOL.
(I have Pop’s 49 DeSoto).
Huge money when completed and well worth it. Glad to see that most if not all of the pieces parts are included for replication templates. I sincerely hope that this goes to a loving respectful home and lives as it did in it’s glory days.
Stuff a Hemi in that sucker and slam it to the ground with air bags…..Give a matte black paint job and a thumping sound system……(Kidding please don’t lynch me)
Did you hear that?? The entire classic car world just gasped, nearly passing out!
Hemi, matte black and loud rap? Umm, no.
The wood restoration work would not be as hard to repair as it looks – a good wooden boat shop can do this kind of reconstruction – especially because it is not structural as most of their work is on a boat.
Capt. Doug I think the wood is still available in kit form. This is a fantastic car that needs a ton of work but well worth it as these sell for big buck once restored. ( if that’s your game ) I personally would want to keep it because it would be a challenging but fun project that for me would pull on all my skills. I think these were available with a straight 8 flat head engine and a straight 6 flat head as well. My favorite version of the T&C’s was the 1942 Suburban model with the barn door style trunk lid. I have a 1951 dodge Mayfair hard top that I’m restoring that I’m still considering adding wood to, to get this appearance. Great find .
That is the straight 8, wonderful engine. Many were used in Marine and industrial applications too.
Very cool car. We had one years ago, also a 49. I think the 48 and earlier cars bring more money. Ours had the funky semi-auto in it.
The problem with the wood is that you can’t just have your average boat guy do it. You need to get the color and grain correct or you wasted your money. Somebody that knows more than me can validate that but I’m fairly sure I’m right.
Never had A 49′ Chrysler, but I did have the gauge cluster from one that I center mounted into a 27′ Ford low-boy roadster powered by a Red Ram hemi with three deuces. I also had a 49′ Dodge Wayfarer roadster with same Dodge Red Ram engine in it.
Have you seen the James Bond film where the villain has a oil super-tanker where the front opens up and swallows nuclear submarines to hide them inside?
Look at the top photo of the Chrysler above and imagine it driving down the highway and that huge bonnet opens up to consume the car in front of it.