Beautiful and rare is one way to describe this 1950 Chrysler Windsor “Traveler”. As its name implies, it was a car for those on the move, complete with a commodious roof rack and a fold-down rear seat. Rare? Yes, according to autoevolution.com, only 900 were produced in ’50. The Rossini Brown/Catalina Tan two-tone finish is spot on for the correct Traveler’s finish, but the Town & Country wood trim is another matter entirely – other Travelers so far discovered are lacking this styling trait. Regardless, let’s give this specimen the one over. Defiance, Ohio, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,500. Thanks are due to Jim A. for this tip!
Chrysler’s lineup in ’50 mirrored that from 1949, as outlined in my post on a 1949 Chrysler Royal. The Traveler was an option on the Windsor four-door sedan, and as previously mentioned, amounted to 900 copies out of the approximately 111K Windsors assembled in ’50. The Traveler carried over into 1951 but put up a smaller volume, amounting to only 850 total units. The seller tells us that this Traveler was restored in 1997 and then adds, “vinyl added wood grain,” so that explains the Town & Country style wood applique – it’s not original. Regardless, the two-tone finish, stainless trim, and chrome-plated components make for an excellent presentation, and most importantly, the unique Traveler luggage rack is still perched on the roof, right where it belongs – understandably, that’s a tough item to source!
The interior is in immaculate condition and is upholstered in a maroon vinyl – what Chrysler referred to as “leatherette” three-quarters of a century ago. The environment is not well photographed, but what can be viewed appears to be in as fine a nick as this Traveler’s exterior. Of note is the dash’s central instrument pod with its half-circular speedometer and surrounding engine gauges – it is spectacularly typical for what was found in early fifties’ premium cars.
Traveling in a Traveler was accomplished with the help of a 116 gross HP, 250 CI, in-line, flathead six-cylinder engine, utilizing the service of a Fluid-Drive transmission. The seller states, “Last ran 5 years ago ( but needed some carb work), been in the barn since.” That’s right, the old “ran when parked” claim. The engine room image isn’t comprehensive enough to give a clear picture of the powerplant; it does look clean. The seller claims 76K miles of usage, but there’s no authentication of that recording.
When I first reviewed this listing, I thought the $9,500 ask seemed very reasonable for this car, considering its rarity and condition. I’m wondering if its market value has been suppressed as a result of the add-on wood trim? It’s hard to say, and speculative, but still, there’s no denying the scarcity of a Chrysler Windsor Traveler. So, what do you think, a good buy?
I’d like this if it wasn’t for that dopey vinyl “wood grain”! Really? C’mon, people!
I hear you but I don’t hate it. At least probably not from 20 feet. Saw one at Iola as a child (real wood) and was spellbound
The wood grain finish might not be original but whoever applied it did a wonderful job of it and I would love to own, and drive this car, just as it is!
They say beauty is in the eye of the beerholder, and I think this ones a beauty. You won’t see yourself coming the other way for sure. Pile all the grandkids in and go for ice cream. I’m sure you will find a lot of people to talk to. I’m not usually a fan of wood paneling but it looks good on this. If you really don’t like it you could probably remove it in an afternoon. But then it would look like all of the other Chrysler Travelers out there.
When I was a wee lad in the ’50s our family car was a ’48 Windsor Traveler. Two-tone paint, luggage rack on the roof — I remember my dad sanding and revarnishing it. My recollection is the upholstery was leather — at least when my dad had the front seat bolster redone it was done in leather. We took several trips in it but never used the luggage rack — the trunk was huge. Didn’t realize they made these after ’48. Never saw another one even back then.
The Facebook listing has been taken down, gone already? Somebody spotted a deal!
The fake wood is incredible. Great fake, I suspect, in real life, it looks as good as it does in the photos, from 20′ anyway, close up you can see there is no relief where the trim wood hits the panel wood, it is smooth, not 3D, but worth the price of admission. I had thought the last one was the ’49 with real wood, at least the trim/edge pieces, although the panels were probably di-cal over the metal. You could get kits for the ’46 ’48 Chevy coupes/convertibles so maybe this was a kit, if so, just WOW!
I was going to say the same, Charlie. It looks quality in the photos was just wondering if it looks as good in person.
Personally, I like it.
I had the non-Traveler version of this car only in DeSoto trim. Fond memories. At the time, it wasn’t the fastest, or the slowest, on the road but it certainly was a fine, “stately” ride.
As a representative of the era– and this is ALWAYS paramount– it represents the finest available in new car showrooms. Class, pure and simple.
not like the earlier 2 Travelers (1 Hudson, some 1 else made 1 too I believe) on the road? They were the 1st hatch(es) as the back opened in sucha way one could enter from there, have head near back of frnt seat & sleep (at least 2) feet inside the vehicles.
Another (not traveler) a Nash also sedan, hada frnt seat the back of which would fold down (I think U slept head to door, feet to other door) ‘under’ the steer wheel… ‘50s era Pops (born in teens/20s) didnt like the daughter to date guys drivin one…
Kaiser