A solid and affordable business coupe is always difficult to say “no” to, and this ’49 Dodge Wayfarer is certainly an attention grabber with its solid original appearance. With very little changed in its lifetime other than a 12 volt conversion, this Business coupe is offered for a mere $5,000! Check it out here on craigslist out of Cedar Springs, Michigan.
The seller does not offer a whole lot of information on this Dodge, but he has indicated that the car is unrestored and features a 12 volt conversion with functioning lights. There are no photos of the engine compartment, or the interior, but the exterior offers enough detail to start fishing pennies out of your piggy bank. One confusing aspect is the seller has listed this car a 1946 model, but is at the least a 1949 model. Beyond that minor discrepancy, this Dodge is powered by a 230.2 cubic inch inline 6 and a transmission described simply as “other.” The seller hasn’t come right out and said it, but it would seem this Mopar is a driver.
Green with a charming face, this Dodge offers great looks, and the ever popular business coupe body. Overall this Dodge appears very original presented in a factory color, and with chrome that offers a luster that you can tell wasn’t plated in the last few decades. Although the lights are operational, it would appear there are a few missing lenses, and that the taillight lenses are baked and faded. Much of the paint has survived, with the only rough patch appearing on the driver side of the hood. The paint is gently rolling off and allowing surface rust to develop. Thankfully the only other rust to mention on this Dodge is near the front of the driver side rocker. Surface rust is present, but it appears there is no rot. The remainder of the rockers, and quarters appear in nice condition, really dialing up the allure of this great looking classic. Would you strike up this business opportunity?
Given what pictures there are, this little buggy looks like it’s in very good condition. It would have been nice to see a couple inside and, maybe one or two of the engine. I like it though. Nice post.
My mom had a 1950 convertible known as “The Bomb”. When I was a kid (When the earth was still cooling) it was the perfect car to have at a cottage we would spend summers at in Crescent Beach, Ontario. Good times and very different times. Thanks for posting.
When I was in high school, I had a 1948 business coupe. You could disappear into that trunk. It had a fluid drive transmission that I disliked passionately. The parking brake was located between the tail shaft of the transmission and the front of the propeller shaft and would not hold the car on even a slight incline. So to park the car, I had a piece of firewood I kept be hind the seat. When I got out of the car, I threw it in front of the back tire or behind the front tire depending on which way the slope went. We still had a number of dirt roads in our area at the time and it was well suited for those.
Those band brakes worked well……..but they had to be adjusted. Particularly if you forgot to let it off and got it hot. It would burn the jute under the carpet.
That’s one beautiful car, Brian! I wonder if they’d trade for a ’66 Lincoln..
Dont do it!
Assuming solid the price is about right. You can buy the nicest one in the world for 12-15k so you might be better off doing that however.
Price is a bit steep but it seems to be in terrific shape. Would want to see it in person, there’s just not enough photos and info in the ad. Those post-war Chryslers, there’s nothing to ’em. Easiest cars in the world to work on, and they look it, too. This one is so plain you could stare straight at it and still not see it, especially on a lawn or in front of a hedgerow. Just plan extra time to get wherever you’re going, they are not quick nor fast. Hope this one at least has a radio. Were it closer to $2500+/- I’d be on the phone.
Sweet! I wish I had a place for it. It would be magnificent slammed and equipped with a Gen III crate hemi!
Ask Frank from Antique Archeologists about paying $5k for one of these, then trying to turn a profit! Not me thanks.
Suckah! The definition of plain jane aka stripper.
Tough to say if it is a good deal without interior photos. I would guess it has a fluid drive if the tranny box was checked ‘other’. Fluid drives were sold in a lot of the business coupes as they were salesmen’s cars and racked up the miles. The 230 inch motor is not the original motor. The original would have been 218 cubic inches.
Perhaps a little engine fire at one time?
The first family car I remember, purchased the year after I was born. Had a small bench seat installed in the rear. Business coupes did not come with a rear seat only place for sample cases or small boxes. Many traveling salesmen had these. As a small child it was hard to see out when you were in the back seat. Our car was known as the “blue goose” (because of a after market hood ornament. Folks purchased a small place on a beach (a 8-hour drive from our home), so I remember many long rides in the “blue goose”) Traded for a new 1955 Chevy BelAir convertible.