A Tale of Two Woodies
1947 was a very good year
Our first Woodie — a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country convertible. She occupies a special position in automotive history as the only wood-bodied convertible built in series on a luxury chassis. Originally conceived in 1939 by Dave Wallace and introduced in 1941, the Town & Country was initially available in only as a barrel-back station wagon with beautiful wooden bodywork.
In 1946, the Town and Country Sedan and its glamorous companion convertible debuted and were an instant success. Priced from $2,725 these elegant convertibles were the most expensive models available in the entire Chrysler model range and only 8,368 were produced from 1946 to 1948.
Produced only for the one model year of 1947, the C-39 Series Town & Country convertibles and sedans were the most distinctive production cars on the road and the convertibles sold for approximately $3,400. 3,305 convertibles were produced in 1947. With its white ash and mahogany trim, the Town & Country convertible evoked the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Powered by the reliable Spitfire 135 HP, 323 cubic inch eight-cylinder L-head engine and Fluid Drive semi- automatic transmission, the Town & Country drove and still drives, almost effortlessly while carrying a full load of passengers and cargo. It was built on a 127” chassis, with independent suspension, front coil springs, semi-elliptic rear leaf springs with rigid live axle, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
The other 1947 Woodie you ask? Another Town and Country –
Town + Country Cedar Homes, of course.
1947 – our birthday. We turn 70 this year!
More on that to come…
Thanks to our friends at SignificantCars.com
(BTW, they have one on consignment… )
