Lot 168

Hershey 2015

1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan

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$148,500 USD | Sold

United States | Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Chassis No.
71002156
  • Winner of the Town and Country Class at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
  • Fully optioned with genuine period-correct MoPar accessories
  • Original chassis, engine, and body
  • AACA National First Junior in 2008
  • CCCA Full Classic

114 hp, 250.6 cu. in. L-head “Spitfire” inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed “Prestomatic” Chrysler Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission, independent coil-spring front suspension, solid axle rear suspension with hydraulic shocks and leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 121.5 in.

Understandably, this was Chrysler’s top-of-the-line vehicle and the pinnacle of post-war glamor. The Town and Country was built in limited numbers due to its high exterior maintenance and complexity, which, of course, add to its desirability today. Initially, Chrysler’s brochure listed five Town and Country body styles, but only two were widely available: the convertible and the four-door sedan.

Unique rear deck and taillights were constructed for the model, and its wooden parts came from Pekin Wood Products in Helena, Arkansas. From there, the cars were shipped to Chrysler’s Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit for assembly. The wood framing was assembled prior to being fitted to the body, which required extensive hand-formed contouring of the compound curved frames so that they mated to the metal body parts correctly. Bodies included white ash framing over mahogany veneer panels.

According to period documentation, this Town and Country sedan left Detroit on a ship bound for Duluth, Minnesota, in 1947. Upon its arrival at port, it was trucked to St. Paul, where it was sold new by Kemper Motor Company to Mr. William G. Kohls, also of St. Paul. The original sales order, which is included in the sale, shows it was equipped with a heater, a roof rack, a radio, dual mirrors, dual spot lamps, and fog lamps, all of which remain on the car today. The consigner has painstakingly sourced an array of additional genuine original MoPar accessories, many of which include original instructions, making this arguably the best-equipped Town and Country in existence. The extensive accessory list includes a sun visor, a reverse light, a "Jiffy Jet" windshield washer, an exhaust extension, and an extremely rare MoPar automatic battery filler. The sale also includes the original jack, lug wrench, and wheel chock, as well as a comprehensive history file complete with a Chrysler Heritage certificate, build sheets that confirm the matching numbers, an original invoice, original handbooks, and incredibly rare key code tags and original key blanks.

Following its time with Mr. Kohls, it was treated to a cosmetic freshening in the early 1980s when it was repainted, but it was otherwise left largely original, including the well-preserved original wood that, importantly, remains on the car today. In 2013, it was treated to a comprehensive, concours-level restoration to exacting standards by Ruozzi Brothers Collection, of Breinigsville, Pennsylvania. It is now stunningly presented in the proper Chrysler color of Sumac Red with the original specification red leather and taupe Bedford cord interior restored to a beautiful standard. As part of the restoration, great care was taken to ensure that it is to exact factory mechanical specifications and that it drives and performs as it first did in 1947. It has since been honored with a Best in Class award at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, judged among the very best Town and Country automobiles in the world. It has also been awarded Most Elegant Post War Car at The Elegance at Hershey in 2014, Best Wood Bodied Car at the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance in 2013, and Best Post-War American Classic at the 100 Motorcars of Radnor Hunt in 2013.

Exquisite paintwork, upholstery, artfully preserved wood, and elegant style combine to make this a beautiful example of one of Chrysler’s finest post-war cars. As an officially recognized CCCA Full Classic, it is ideally suited for the concours circuit, while the outstanding mechanical order would make it a fine choice for CARavan touring.