1941: "Chrysler first introduces the Town & Country as a wood-paneled wagon. The Town & Country sports a rounded rear, side-hinged "clamshell" doors, and is the first "woody" wagon to feature an all-steel roof. This celebrated vehicle would become the first luxury station wagon, appealing to affluent buyers with its attractive design and refined cargo area." (Chrysler’s Facebook)
“1941 marked the
introduction of Chrysler's distinctive 'Town and Country Car', a new concept in
estate vehicles. The name was coined by Paul Hafer of the Boyerton Body Works,
who observed that the front looked 'Town' while the rear appeared 'Country.'…
The Town & Country 'station wagon' was manufactured for 1941 and 1942 only. After World War II, convertibles, sedans, and hardtops were manufactured instead. Of the 797 nine-passenger station wagons built in 1941, barely a handful or two survive.
The Town & Country 'station wagon' was manufactured for 1941 and 1942 only. After World War II, convertibles, sedans, and hardtops were manufactured instead. Of the 797 nine-passenger station wagons built in 1941, barely a handful or two survive.
It was built on the
standard Chrysler Windsor chassis and its wooden body was topped by the longer
steel roof used for a limousine. The framing is white ash, and Honduras
mahogany veneer was used for the contrasting panels. Briggs Manufacturing
Company supplied all the sheet metal and the cars were assembled at the
Jefferson Avenue Plant in Detroit.
Early examples produced from March to April 1941 were painted only Regal Maroon which was though to best complement the highly glossed finish of the natural wood.
It was built on a 121.5 inch chassis with identical front and rear bumpers and powered by the 'Spitfire' L-head six-cylinder engine with a 241.5 cubic-inch displacement and the new 'Fluid Drive' Vacumatic transmission.
Early examples produced from March to April 1941 were painted only Regal Maroon which was though to best complement the highly glossed finish of the natural wood.
It was built on a 121.5 inch chassis with identical front and rear bumpers and powered by the 'Spitfire' L-head six-cylinder engine with a 241.5 cubic-inch displacement and the new 'Fluid Drive' Vacumatic transmission.
The most dramatic
feature is the luggage compartment located behind two side-hinged doors meeting
and secured at the center behind the rear number plate. The clamshell doors
were also dubbed 'barrel-back' doors. The unusual interior of this car consists
of matching red Bakelite plastic dashboard, radio and instrument surround,
window wills and steering wheel.”
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