1946 Chrysler New Yorker 'Town & Country' Woodie Convertible
Chassis no. 7401313
Engine no. C39-12062

uch was the demand for vehicles in the immediate aftermath of WW2, that the 1946 Chryslers - like most other American makes - reappeared looking much the same as in 1942, though the wood-embellished Town & Country model, previously available only as a station wagon, was now made either as a sedan or two-door convertible on both the New Yorker (eight-cylinder) and Windsor (six-cylinder) chassis. With their contrasting ash framing, mahogany veneer and steel panels, and boasting a level if finish that would be the envy of the finest yachts, these Town & Country models were certainly very striking. They were also the best-equipped and most expensive models in the Chrysler range, and today are among the most highly prized American automobiles of their era.

First introduced in 1938 as the 'New York Special', the stylish New Yorker was based on Chrysler's up-market Imperial and used the latter's sidevalve straight-eight engine. In Chrysler nomenclature 'New Yorker' signified luxury, these models being distinguished by high quality interior trim and an occasionally adventurous choice of upholstery materials including Scottish tartan (on the New Yorker Highlander). The 1947 and '48 Chryslers exhibited only minor detail changes from the '46 line-up, though now the Town & Country Sedan was available on the six-cylinder Windsor chassis only, while all the T&C Convertibles were built on the eight-cylinder New Yorker chassis.

For 1949, the final year of the Town & Country Convertible, production was delayed until March and only 993 were completed by the season's end. Costing $3,765, the T&C Convertible was the most expensive model in the Chrysler range and even more costly than the equivalent Cadillac.

Assembled in Detroit, Michigan and sold new to Mr Jorge Bartholin Cuevas in New York, this spectacular Town & Country Woodie Convertible has the 5.3-litre (323.5ci) V8 engine. Mr Cuevas took the car to his residence in Biarritz, and in 1952 sold it to a Parisian who owned a second home in that city where it served to transport the family and guests to the beach in the summer.

In 1972 the Chrysler was bought by the passionate Brussels-based car enthusiast Mr Patrick Van der Stricht, founding member of the Historical Vehicle Club Belgium, who had found the car in Aix-en-Provence, France. It was restored in the 1960s; the leather seats remained original, although the cloth inserts were changed in 1973 (and recently the seats have been re-upholstered as they were too far gone). The wood was repaired though not replaced, apart from the boot lid, while it is believed that the engine has never been overhauled. In 1978 the T&C featured on the front cover of Le Fanatique de l'Automobile (June edition).

The T&C has been in the same family's possession until now. In 1991 the car was exhibited at the exposition L'Automobile dans la Bande Dessinée in Paris (photographs and the official programme are on file) and it has also served as 'movie car' in "Arrêt d'urgence", a movie by Denys Granier-Deferre with Marie Trintignant (daughter of famous actor Jean-Louis Trintignant) that was recorded in France in 1994 (photographs on file). It was also presented at Autoworld (the venue for our sale!) during the 'American Dream Car' exhibition.

The car comes with an owner's manual; Belgian Attestation from Chrysler dated May 1977; some hand-written notes concerning works carried out in 2020; Belgian registration documents; Contrôle Technique valid up to 2025; and a sizeable collection of photographs including those taken on location for the aforementioned movie.

One of the most glamorous and iconic of post-war American automobiles, this beautiful Town & Country Convertible is the perfect companion with which to enjoy the forthcoming summer.