The Wayfarer Convertible was produced by Dodge from 1949 until 1951. Initially called the Roadster, Dodge took the decision in 1950 to rename it the Sportabout, and it maintained this name until production of the Sportabout ended in 1951, a full year before final production of the Wayfarer ended. You will find this Wayfarer Sportabout listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Ballston Spa, New York, it is being offered for sale with a clear title. The price for this Wayfarer has been set at $4,495, but the option is also available to submit an offer.
The seller states that the frame of the Wayfarer is solid, and rust in the floors appears to be quite limited. The rust that you see here in the trunk and spare wheel well appears to be the worst of it. There is some in the floors as well, but this looks like it may be able to be repaired without having to replace the floors completely. While it also appears that some of the exterior trim is missing, there is a photo in the ad which shows a lot of these pieces will come in boxes with the car.
The interior of the Wayfarer will also require a full restoration. The door trims appear to be missing, as does the original radio from the dash. Otherwise, everything appears to be present. The dash is in good condition and should restore nicely, while it looks like a new cover will do the seat the world of good.
The car has been sitting for more than 40 years, and while the 230ci straight-six engine does not run, the seller states that it does turn freely. The radiator isn’t in place, but it is included with the car. The engine is backed by the original manual transmission. The seller also says that the car rolls freely, and should be easy to load onto a trailer for transportation.
While this Sportabout will require a full restoration, it does appear to be a solid car that is basically complete. With reasonable examples hitting the market from around $15,000 and rising as high as $31,000, then this Wayfarer has a lot of potential at the asking price.
Last week this car was resting away in some forgotten junk yard. Put a oddball front chip on it and this week it’s a barn find. And at 4500 I wish someone well on this project.
What do you mean by “oddball front chip”?
I think he meant the front clip is not right because it doesn’t match the rest of thecar
The clip is from another car but it does look correct. These are quite handsome cars when restored, there no speed hounds but they’re drive lines and engines are bullit proof and reliable. This car is very similar to my fiftyone hard top and its rust looks like it located in the same places. The Convertables and hard tops both got more structural steel built into them to stiffen up the latch side of the door frame. I’m a big fan of these late 40’s early 50’s dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto, and Chrysler cars I just like there fat fendered look. I’d buy this if I was able the price seems within reasons. it would look great next to my hardtop.
To some this may sound odd, but this Wayfarer is WELL worth restoring for the right buyer. You’re either devoted to this era of MoPars, or you aren’t. Once done, this would be one rare model. Not many built from `49-`51, as most production went to the enclosed 2 and 4dr. Dodges. The later Sportabouts got roll up windows, while the early models like this had snap-in side curtains; not everyone’s favorite arrangement.
My Father bought a new 1951 Wayfarer convertible off the showroom floor. I was 6 and thrilled to ride out through the open doors . That was the fIrst year for roll up windows. There was no back seat. We visited a junk yard with a tape measure and bought a bus seat. I was thrilled with my first vist of many to a junk yard. My Mother upholstered the rear seat in somewhat matching dark red oil cloth.
In 1955 someone ran a red light and totalled the Wayfarer. We went used car shopping on Christmas Eve, and I had a blast. The replacement car was a 1951 Dodge Diplomat 2 door hardtop in dark green. It was soon joined by a 1955 Desoto Firedome 2 dr ht in 2 tone green. Flat head Gyromatic vs Hemi Powerflite.
While no car is unrestorable (given unlimited quantities of time and resources), some cars are fiscally unfeasible to restore (i.e. not ultimately worth the $$$ required to restore at the end of the restoration process). I believe this to be one such car. And on a more practical note, I do not see, the serial number tag in the drive’s door jamb, nor the firewall mounted tags denoting colour, trim and so forth. The ebay seller makes no mention of them either, and without those two little bits of metal, no reasonable/knowledgable person would entertain buying this vehicle, clear title or not. Vin on the title HAS to match the vin in the vehicle. No vehicle vin, no match, no sale.
This one almost beats out that 318 Gator top charger.
For being scrap.
Putting that front clip on this was a waste of time.
Paint it up, and use it in the local college’s next production of “Grease”.
Gooooo Greased Lightning…
A friend has one, basically unrestored, just well kept, fun, but the loosest steering I have ever experienced, other than an old IH truck. But once you get used to the constant corrections, you don’t notice it anymore. A strange body, with no back seat, but room for one. And Plexiglas side curtains, what was Dodge thinking?
49 & 50 Wayfarer’s were true roadsters. They didn’t have roll-up windows. My 49 had a Red Ram V8.
The 50’s like this one had rool up windws. Had a buddy in Mobile Ala that his father was the shop foreman/mechanic for the city gagage and he acquired one just lie this from a police impound sale for like 50 bucks. We home sprayed it red and put a viny seat cover o the sing front bench seat a new black ttop and had a ball with it. Very depemdable and I was nly 13 and 14 and just learing to drive and the fluid drive was great as it could be driven as a standard or automatic if you had trouble clutching and shifting. Man what fun and great memores. Sadly he and they car are gone today, “Rest in Peace Fred and thanks for may hours of fun and friendship