When you hear the term “roadster” you usually think of a small, open two-seat sports car often built in England. But Dodge expanded the concept in 1949-52 with its Wayfarer line of cars, which included a 3-passenger convertible called the Sportabout. There was no back seat, just a wide bench seat in the front for passengers – and it was not a small automobile. This 1950 Wayfarer has been stored for 10 years and is said to run well, though it’s going to need some cosmetic attention. From a driveway in West Hempstead, New York, this Dodge is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $4,060, but the reserve has not. Another interesting tip from Larry D!
In post-war 1950s America, the automakers wanted you to buy new cars. In the dictionary, the word “wayfarer” means “a traveler, a transient patron of an inn or hotel.” So, the name was applied to Dodge’s least expensive cars at the turn of the sixth decade of the 20th Century, which comprised a roadster that was dubbed the Sportabout in mid-1950. It was the first true roadster built by the Big Three in nearly 30 years. Because of a lengthy labor dispute, 1950 production was somewhat compacted, with 2,900 or so roadsters/Sportabouts seeing the light of day that year.
With no back seat and an expansive trunk, the Sportabout was essentially a business coupe with a folding canvas top. Not practical if your family consisted of more than three people (the capacity of the bench seat). The cars were powered by a 230 cubic inch “straight-six” engine that was good for around 100 hp with a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission.
The seller has gotten this old Dodge to run again by way of an extended tune-up that includes a new battery, coil, plug wires, and ignition. The odometer reading is 97,000 miles, indicating a car that gave its occupants plenty of time out in the sunshine. The red paint looks to have been redone at some point and is missing some of its luster, while the interior is going to need work, such as a new cover for the seat. We’re told new wheel covers come with the car that have never been used. The seller clicked the button for “Rebuilt, Rebuildable & Reconstructed” when referring to the car’s title, so we don’t know if that suggests issues we’re not aware of. This could be a really cool car to sport around in, restored or otherwise.
Mom had one when my sister and I were kids. We terrorized Fort Erie, Crescent Beach, Ridgeway, and Crystal Beach, Ontario during the summers of 1963-1968. Good times. My first kiss with Carla and the start of a life-long love affair with Canada!
Transmission should be a fluid drive which was kind of almost an automatic. It could be left in gear without the clutch being depressed.
I’d forgotten about these Dodge roadsters! Now I want one. This one is a bit too rough and on the opposite side of the country but I’m going to start an internet search. Thanks, BF!
my dad had a 1949 Wayfarer that was a roadster with side curtains and not roll up windows. We three kids had alot of because we got to stand up behind the seat with the top down and wave our hands in the air like a roaler coaster.
Yup, A pal of mine had a Wayfarer with side curtains too. His red car was nicely updated with a slant 6 engine / Torqueflite tranny. On the engine he had an Australian cross flow head that was very cool. :-) Terry J
My Father bought a new 1951 Wayfayer sportabout in December 1950. I was 5 and got to ride off the showroom in the new car.( I was thrilled). The next week we visited a junk yard (I was thrilled), and bought a bus seat which fit in the rear. My mother reupolstered it in luxurious oilcloth.
We took many trips in the Wayfarer. I sat behind my Father and had to stick my head forward to see all the sights through his window. This got me closer to his Lord Baltimore cigar.
A redlight runner totalled the Wayfarer in December 1955. We went used car shopping on Christmas Eve (I was thrilled ). As the sun went down, my Father found the replacement; another 1951 Dodge. (I was not thrilled) This time it was a Dodge Diplomat 2 dr hardtop in metallic green. The Wayfayer had fluid drive. The Diplomat had Gyromatic; a semi automatic transmission, The Wayfarer was slow, but the Diplomat was glacial. At least I had my own window.
In January 1956, the Dodge was joined by a used 1955 Desoto Firedome 2 dr hardtopwith a Hemi V8. In 4 years, cars had changed greatly.
My 1st car ,a 49 wayfarer.I loved it but was a little ashamed of its tried /true 6 cyl when v 8s,we’re necessary to be any where near cool. I’d buy this one if it was closer to me. By the way I’m 84 yrs old-hope springs eternal.
It needs a rumble seat…
The Plymouth 1947 version of this was the wedding gift from my maternal grandparents to my parents and the first car I remember, red with a white C/V top so like this. Glad this one still exists!
Great car for a traveling salesman, and likely this may have been used for that, looking at the miles.