I’ve always marveled at business coupes such as this 1951 Dodge Wayfarer – a car that was officially known as a “Three Passenger Coupe”. The concept seems very foreign today, but it wasn’t in the era when this Dodge was assembled – most manufacturers offered a similar model. In storage for 30 years, the seller of what he considers to be a “rare” model is ready to part with this admittedly neat Dodge. San Jose, California, is where you’ll find and it’s available here on craigslist for $7,500. Thanks are due to Zappenduster for this tip!
Dodge’s wayfarer was a two-door only model offered between 1949 and 1952. Considered a sportier version of standard Dodge models such as the Coronet and Meadowbrook, the Wayfarer rode on a 115-inch wheelbase, more in line with the size of a Plymouth. Three body styles were availed: a convertible (roadster), sedan, and this coupe. As for that rare business, this Three Passenger Coupe is one of 6,700 produced, so I wouldn’t consider it rare. Maybe finding one today is a rare occurrence, but in 1951? Not so much so. Looking at this car’s body, you can see the idea behind its intended use. The long rear section, from the rear window to the bumper, allowed for a deep trunk that a traveling salesman could use for transporting samples or examples of the goods he was peddling. Surface rust on this example is obvious, but it’s from a burn-through of the finish which has affected all of the horizontal surfaces – lots of outdoor time in the California sun probably. Beyond that, the body looks to be sound with no indication of rot or crash damage. All of the trim, the cool ram’s head hood ornament, and the “Dodge” labeled hubcaps are still in place – this is one complete car!
The interior is suitably utilitarian in nature, but it seems to be in decent condition – the dash and instrument panel in particular. The seat and door panels don’t match, but one or the other was probably recovered somewhere in this car’s almost three-quarters of a century’s time here on earth. There is a small space behind the front bench seat that could also be utilized as a place for sample cases, empty beer cans, etc.
I’ll run with the assumption that the 103 gross HP, 230 CI, in-line, six-cylinder engine is a non-runner – the cobwebs are a bit of a giveaway. Connecting this dormant flathead to the rear wheels is a three-speed manual “Fluid-Drive” gearbox.
The seller concludes his listing with, “HAVE A CAR NOBODY HAS, GREAT LINES AND BODY.” Yeah, I get that, but I doubt I’d want to perform a stock restore on this old Dodge. I’d prefer to give it the business with an updated power/drivetrain and a new finish, but still try to maintain its stock bearing. Well, that’s my take; what’s yours?
Must be one of the largest trunk lids I have ever seen. Don’t see this non-runner at $7,500.
I’ve always liked the lines of any Business coupe. I like the proportions. I like cars that are restored to stock, but this would have good bones to make some sort of a hot rod. Even a hopped up Slant 6 and a 4 speed or better yet, a 5 speed would be neat.
Oh, if only these things could talk. Imagine the stories they could tell. Being a truck driver, I can say most of the “romance” stories were pure bunk, but I bet traveling salesmen had plenty of their own, some with merit, I’m sure. Remember, no innernet( gasp) or phones, TV, or any in your face advertising, it had to be done manually. The business coupe was more a machine than car for the salesmen to do their job. Very few survived. These cars racked up hundreds of thousands of miles, and yes, not all “overnights” were at the “HoJo” either. Nice find, got restore-mod all over it.
Great comments. The good old days. My brother has a completely restored 51
Business coupe as listed above. I was born in 51 and he has offered it to me for $10,000.00 He has receipts that total just under $9,500.00 to get every little thing working correctly. He purchase it about 8 years ago and the previous owner had all crome replaced including bumbers, and a newer paint job. Its a beautiful dark blue colour. My only problem is I need to find storage for it in Kelowna at an affordable rate.
Slip an aftermarket coilover chassis under it, squeeze a Hellcat under the hood, restore the body, add a custom interior, and have a blast!
Yezh, for 20 times the asking price!
Many have spent more than that and gotten much, much less in return.
I’m with you on that! There is nothing about the existing chassis and power train that I want. If not a Hellcat then a Hemi easily lifted from many scrapped pickup trucks.
Needs to have a lot of work done to it before $7500 is a fair price. More like $1500 in current state.
Looks like it has small Packard hub caps from a base Clipper?
Tom N
Clearly reads Dodge
Almost like the one I tried to buy from my friend Jonsey. His was a ’50 madel that had the usual amount of dings and rust, but Jonsey continued to drive it long after the new had worn off. I met
Jonsey in ’73 while home for a break from touring. That was just before I started touring with Marty Robbins later on that year.
He was a really nice guy who always made you feel welcome and send you home with a mason
jar full of fresh veggies he grew in his garden. And over the course of the next year and a half or so, I
tried my best to buy the car from
him, but he held fast and always
told me no. He did, however, let me buy a really nice ’57 Pontiac
Star Chief 4-door hardtop that belonged to his late wife. Compared to Jonesy’s coupe the
Pontiac was in near mint condition throughout. After she passed, he put the car in storage
and never drove it again. In fact,
When I first saw that car, Jonesy
had it covered with a high end tarp and covers on the seats. By
covers, I mean something like slip covers. He did start the car every week until I bought it. And yes, that was the same car I mentioned on one of my posts not long ago. Wound up letting my Mom drive it after the Machinists Union was giving her grief for driving her new Chevy love to work as the union forbade
it’s members from driving anything other than American made vehicles. And as for Jonesy, he died in 1980 and the coupe, who knows. RIP Jonesy,
you were a good friend.
IIRC this and its Plymouth sister were the last of the special business coupe bodies. They continued into the 50s using standard coupe bodies with no rear seats and sometimes a knockout to the trunk.
Well, if we’re going to slice and dice, why not do any of the above– or not– and chop up the massive fantail to put in a rumble seat and external spare tire as per my father’s old commuter (0.9 miles to the train station… ‘n maybe to the hardware store on Saturday), ’35 Plymouth rumble seat coupe? Oh, and maybe once a year to visit a train commuter friend of his who had a horse. After one of those trips, no rumble seat time for me, at least for a while! The garden sure liked it, tho’!
Sad to hear you say that Jim. That style is a part of automotive history. Another one will probably bite the dust.
Maybe the seller meant $750.00.
That seems about the right price.
I have seen a lot of these old coupes. The only one I ever owned was a ’49 Dodge. I paid $50 for it and replaced a rusted out brake line. I then flipped it to my friend Carlos (RIP) for the same $50, who drove it from NH to Costa Rica
I like the car and you pay $750.00 for a new bicycle today. and not even a 3 speed!!
My first car was a 1952 Dodge Wayfarer sedan (in 1975). These photos bring back memories. It had a “Gyro-matic”transmission where you had the option to use the clutch. From what I remember I had to install a few master cylinders!
The sedan was roomy in the back.