This 1951 Dodge D-41 Wayfarer sedan is a really interesting car. The Wayfarer, in general, is an interesting line of cars as they didn’t come in a four-door version, just a two-door business coupe, two-door Sportabout (convertible), and two-door sedan as seen here. The seller has this example listed here on eBay in Farmingdale, New York and they have a buy-it-now price listed of $16,500.
I know, the price is a little eye-watering but really nothing surprises me anymore. People asking $60,000 for Subaru 360s, old pickups selling for that much and more, cars that most of us passed up for $10,000 a few years ago are now skyrocketing in value, or at least in price. That being said, the seller has done a lot of work on this Wayfarer, mechanically. This car had been sitting since 1978 when the seller bought it and they’ve done a lot of work to bring it back to life.
The paint, though, is reportedly all original which is amazing after 71 years, several wars, and 284 seasons. The Dodge Wayfarer came in one generation, from 1949 to 1952, but the 1950 through 1952 models had an update which included new rear fenders and tail lights, new grille, and new bumpers. The first of the 1949 models came out in late-1948 and they weren’t quite ready for their debut but in mid-1949, the new cars were introduced. Post-war America was cranking as Dodge sold 257,000 cars and that was only 8th place of all new car sales.
The interior is… different, in that there is no overall photo of it, just detail shots. They do show the condition of the seats, or seat covers, which have seen better days but reportedly, the original seat fabric is perfect under those ripped seat covers. The back seat cover looks good. The seller says that there is no rust now that they’ve welded in new floor pans in the front. It looks like they did a good job so a little finishing up inside and this would be a nice weekend car to tinker with.
The engine has a recent valve job after this car had been sitting since 1978 and they say that this Chrysler 230 inline-six runs and shifts great. This one has Chrysler’s Fluid-Drive coupled to a three-speed manual transmission. It’s had all new brakes and master cylinder and a new gas tank and related fuel system parts. Hagerty is at $14,800 for a #1 Concours condition car so there’s no way they’re going to get their $16,500 asking price which is almost $2,000 above that, but this looks like a nice driver-quality car. Any thoughts on this Wayfarer?
Eye watering price? What from the laughter? While it’s a nice car that you don’t see many of, for that price it should be in top shelf condition.
Perfect listing for 4-20.
Just sayin’
My Father bought a brand new 1951 Dodge Wayfayer Sportabout brand new off the showroom floor. Making a 4 door on this wheelbase would have required new rear doors and I doubt Dodge would spend the money. The rear seat would have been cramped.
There were Desotos of this age that had extended wheelbases, long rear doors, and jump seats. There were used as cabs or limos, and often appear in 1950 era movies.
This car was for sale at Hershey this past October for $7000, but it wasn’t shined up like this, and all the mechanical work had been done after Hershey. Really neat car, in nice original condition.
My first car was a ‘51 Wayfarer just like this in green. My father had once had a white one. Interesting cars
In 2019 I sold a ’52 Wayfarer that was a near twin to this car. In fact I thought it was the same car, but our interior was slightly nicer and the rocker trim was blacked out. Ours was a running, driving car that needed tires and brakes. Very nice older repaint with no rust repairs. 70k miles. I advertised the car for 3 years at $3500, even listed it on ebay, and it finally sold for $3000…exactly what I paid for it! 14k gets you a decent convertible or even a roadster. Anyone who was remotely interested in buying it just wanted to drop in a 318 or 360 an an auto trans…
These are fun cars with unique styling. They’re a little smaller than a Chevy of the same year. They ride and steer nice. People are leery of the Gyromatic trans, but it’s fairly straightforward to operate and maintain. The flat 6 isn’t sexy, but they are reliable and easy to work on.
I love these Wayfarers. They’re just plain and simple, clean lines, easy to work on… But the seller has to get real about the price. Cut it by 50%.
$16,500 for a NOT SO COLLECTABLE, really simple, nice old car????? I DON’T THINK SO…….but the owner does so there you go…..
Missing RR hubcap. Missing anything that makes it worth the ask.
Auction/listing update: this one ended with no bids and presumably no offers that made the seller rethink their $16,500 asking price.
Re listed for $13,500.
Where can I find this car, link or information? Is it still for sale and running condition?