42 Chrysler Wagon

[Robin (UK)]

A friend just gave me an old calendar that included this picture of a 42 Chrysler wagon.

It must be an extremely rare and valuable car.

I'd never seen a picture of one before.

Just thought I'd share it.

[Young Ed]

Is that really a wagon? It looks short.

[Don Coatney]

I had the pleasure of seeing one up close and personal at the Auburn, Indiana ACD festival in 2004.

[55 Fargo]

This car was featured in Hemmings Classic car a few years ago too

[Rodney Bullock]

A friend of mine has this car in convertible. He is looking for a grill for this car. 1942 was a bad year for a hobbiest. The parts are very scarce.

This car is well perserved, fantastic. great pic's thanks

[BobT-47P15]

From Allpar......In 1941, Chrysler came out with the first steel-roof woodie wagon

, called the Town & Country. Less than 1,000 of this luxury four-door car were built,

in 9 passenger and 6 passenger versions, for city or estate transportation. As the company later wrote,

The celebrated 1941 Chrysler Town & Country would become the first luxury station wagon, appealing to affluent buyers with attractive design and interior fittings coupled to a larger and more refined cargo area than that found on competitor’s vehicles. Significantly, it was the industry’s first steel-roofed wagon. But to many this first Town & Country wasn’t a wagon at all, but rather a fastback sedan, a glamorous and soon-popular new type of car whose production run would sadly be limited to just 17 months by world events.

After World War II, the Chrysler Town & Country name graced a line of elegant convertibles, sedans and hardtops – but no wagons (Plymouth was the only Chrysler division to produce station wagons in the immediate postwar period, again featuring wood bodies supplied by an outside vendor).

In 1942, the sheet metal was changed but the woodie design was similar. Again, less than 1,000 were built, due to Pearl Harbor stopping production in December, 1941. These two models are considered the grandfathers to the recent explosion of minivans and SUVs.

Also referred to sometimes as the "barrell back model"...........

[48P15Annie]

I have the Hemmings this was in buried somewhere.

[B-Watson]

The 1941-42 Town & Country models, 6 & 9 passenger, were built on the regular 121.5" Royal/Windsor chassis, although one was built on the longer 127.5" Saratoga chassis in each year, apparently.

The "barrel-back" look, as well as gaining enough room to make the car a 9-passenger model, was by using the LWB roof line. If you compare the side view of the 1941-42 T&C with a regular WB 1941-48 Chrysler 6-window sedan, you will see the roof line extends far back on the T&C. Also note the longer rear quarter window.

A very beautiful and unique vehicle.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[thrashingcows]

Very cool...Thanks for the info and pics.

That barrel back door set-up is cool.

[DonaldSmith]

They used the metal roof from the long wheelbase sedans.

[HughForrest]

I think those also have the to-die-for Bakelite dash and steering wheel like this:

[Frank Elder]

I think those also have the to-die-for Bakelite dash and steering wheel like this:

That is freaking me out...wow! I likee:)

[PatS....]

There is a company in Australia "restoring" steering wheels that can do that effect on a wheel.

I cannot recall the name...it's very expensive but beautifully done.