Representing restrained elegance since 1941, Chrysler’s dashing, wood-bodied Town and Country entered its last production run on May 23, 1950. In addition to a Station Wagon for the Royal series, the Newport, Chrysler’s first hardtop model, was also available in Town and Country form within the top-echelon New Yorker lineup. As with the 1949 models, bodies were all-steel with decorative wooden trim. Nonetheless, a great deal of meticulous handwork typified the Town and Country assembly process, with its beautifully joined and finished ash hardwood overlays hand-formed and assembled prior to being fitted to each vehicle’s body.

The 1950 Town and Country also marked another end of an era as one of the last Chryslers powered by the marque’s venerable inline eight-cylinder engine. Delivering 135 bhp, this torquey 323.5 cid unit was mated to Chrysler’s smooth-shifting Fluid Drive transmission as standard equipment on the Town and Country Newport. Other Town and Country Newport highlights included Streamline Moderne interiors, a particularly attractive steering wheel, wooden trim, top-quality upholstery, and state-of-the-art Ausco-Lambert four-wheel disc brakes. Priced from $4,003, the Town and Country Newport was the most expensive American coupe when new, with just 700 built.

Exceptionally well preserved and offered with 67,768 miles at the time of cataloguing, this early production 1950 Chrysler Town and Country Newport features special-order Tuxedo Black paint. Reportedly sold new in Pennsylvania, it remained there under single family ownership until 1983, when it joined the collection of James Riley, a Chrysler dealer based in Stamford, Connecticut. Impressed by its originality and inherent quality, Mark Smith purchased the Town and Country Newport in 2012, continuing the handsome and rare Chrysler’s roster of caretakers. Rarely found in such fine unrestored condition, this magnificent Newport ought to appeal to the most discerning buyers – just as it did in 1950.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.