When I hear the model name “Town & Country” (besides briefly thinking about a minivan, very briefly), I harken back to ChryCo’s glory days, when a T&C was a beautifully designed and constructed station wagon or sedan/convertible featuring exquisitely fit and finished wood trim. I didn’t realize that by 1953, the T&C had gone plankless, and today, courtesy of T.J., I have just such a presentation subject, a ’53 Town & Country New Yorker. Located in Goshen, Indiana, this high-quality wagon is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,750.
In ’53, the Town & Country station wagon was available on both the New Yorker trim level (1,399 units) or the lower echelon Windsor Standard (1,242 units) – either way, a low production model and one likely not found too often today. As for that missing exterior woodwork, Chrysler kept up the show inside, where the back of the folding rear seat and the cargo floor are paneled in a medium-hued wood with panels held together with stainless steel strips – impressive-looking! Beyond that, the seats appear to be upholstered in leather, and they’re passable but typically worn-looking after 72 years of existence.
The two-toned exterior is in fine nick and shows as being free of rust, finish-fade, or crash damage. I wouldn’t consider the exterior vibe to be overly adorned in the way some fifties rigs carry themselves, but this Town & Country isn’t exactly stealthy looking either. The finish still has a shine, and the chrome-plated bits, such as the bumpers, are fair if showing the expected effects of age. All of the trim is still present and accounted for, though pitting is evident on some pieces.
Now in its third year of production, Chrysler’s “Hemi” engine, in this case a 180 gross HP, 331 CI V8, is powering this family hauler. The seller adds, “Good running car, just had a tune-up. Brakes just gone through,” though I’m not sure what “gone through” means in reference to the brakes – does it mean inspected, adjusted, parts replacement, etc.? According to 1953 Chrysler marketing material, two transmissions were offered that year on New Yorker models, the new for ’53 “Fluid Torque Drive” and the “Fluid-Matic” – AKA “Fluid Drive.” The seller adds, “Has a clutch pedal for anytime the transmission is shifted between reverse, power, or driving.”
Often mentioned here on BF is the increasing popularity of older station wagons, though the Chrysler Town & Country isn’t one that surfaces often in the predominant sea of Country Squires, Impalas, Nomads – the usual suspects. And, of course, this version’s rarity plays a role in its seldom-seen nature, and that makes one such as this beautiful example all the more alluring, wouldn’t you agree?
This wagon was out of reach for most families in the little town in PA where I grew up – we did okay with a 1953 Ford 2 dr. Ranch Wagon. To put things in perspective, in 1953 Ford built 66,976 Ranch Wagons with a factory price of $2095. In 1953 Chrysler made 1,399 New Yorker Town & Country wagons with a factory price of $4077 – roughly the same price as a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe deVille. Bottom line, the featured wagon is a rare bird and very desirable to fans of early ’50’s Chryslers.
Agreed. This one must have been tucked away on an “estate”, well out of the elements. A rare find, especially in this condition.
Roundup Grandma and all 14 kids we’re going for ice cream!!!
That interior leather and those tail gate hinges-no nonsense durability-like an old steamer trunk! This is truly a high quality car. I wonder how well it stops?
This era MoPar high-end cars stop fairly well if equipped with the offered PowerBrake option, the Kelsey-Hayes ‘Vacu-Ease’ system. Sortof a hydra-boost setup, it’s a big Booster situated roughly underneath the Driver seat on the Frame-rail, with a long-ish Vaccum Hose running of course to the Intake Manifold. SanJose PowerBrake Exchange rebuilt the one in my client’s 1954 NewYorker Deluxe and it performed nicely..
My folks bought a new maroon `52 Saratoga sedan just before they got married that year. Dad said he couldn’t believe how smooth & powerful the Hemi was–his first OHV V8 of any kind!
OH YEAH!!!! I love it DANG, just when I’m looking for something else this JEWEL comes along. How may I contact the owner? Need to know a bit more.
Man, if this were closer to me, I’d take a good look!
How sweet it is! Those graceful and smooth back fenders and chrome seem to hug the body. Even the back up lights have a generous helping of chrome trim. Beautiful and simple but stout tailgate hinges seem to be ever lasting. Do you think I love this old Chryler’s display of QUALITY?
Just that view of the open tail gate and the stainless strips atop the wood is enough to make me appreciate this wagon. The price is right.
Great comments ,such a nice ole beauty.
Mopar
Massively
Over
Powered
And
Respected
Town and Country is the Pub where Slim Dusty had a beer with Duncan!