1946 Chrysler Town & Country

Model: Town and Country

Body Style: Convertible

Engine: Inline eight cylinder with L-head valve arrangement. 135 hp, 323 Cubic Inch Displacement

Transmission: Three speed manual

Chassis: Steel construction

Wheelbase: 127”

Wheels: Steel Discs

Tires: 8.2 by 15”

Body Construction: Steel with wood overlay

Exterior Color: Blue

Interior Color: Blue

The Chrysler Corporation was heavily involved with war production and when the war drew to a close, plans were put into effect to resume vehicle production. Like most companies, there was no time to retool for new models, so the new postwar models were largely upgraded and restyled prewar models. Immediate production was delayed due to material shortages created by the war. The days following the end of the war found the United States very enthusiastic and eager to purchase products they could not purchase during the war years. Automobiles were eagerly sought after so the companies continued building the prewar models – and most would not introduce new models until 1949. The revamped older models were well received and vehicle sales during the years of 1946 to 1948 were at an all time high-especially considering sales during the later prewar years were dampened by the Great Depression.

The Town and Country model was introduced in 1941. It was influenced by the early all wood station wagons of the 1920′s and 30′s. Its construction was essentially that of the production sedans with an elaborate wood overlay placed over the metal panels to give the appearance of an all wood body while making more structurally stable and sound than the all wood bodies of previous years. The initial Town and Country models offered in 1941 resembled the traditional station wagons of the era with four doors and a sloping rear section. They were offered in both six and nine passenger versions. This design was continued into the 1942 production year. When production of the Town and Country resumed after the war, the station wagon model was continued but a new model was introduced based on the two door hardtop and convertible coupe body styles. This design continued until the end of 1948 when it was replaced with the first of the new post war body designs.

The Town and Country line was the top model offering for the Chrysler from 1946 until it was discontinued in 1948. Today, they are considered milestone automobiles and highly sought after by collectors and museums.