1946 Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler resumed automobile production in the post-War era using designs based on the 1942 models. The Chrysler lineup included the Royal Series - the least expensive Chrysler model, the Windsor - a higher trim level of the Royal, the Saratoga series - an eight-cylinder equivalent to the six-cylinder Royal, and the New Yorker - the top-of-the-line model. The New Yorker came equipped with all of the amenities and accouterments found on the Saratoga plus a carpeted front compartment and two-tone wool broadcloth upholstery. Body styles that mirrored the Saratoga included the coupe, club coupe, and 2- and 4-door sedan. Additional New Yorker body styles included a convertible, Town & Country sedan, and Town & Country Convertible. The roadster and club coupe had been advertised, but no plans or models were ever created.

The Saratoga and New Yorker were both powered by an L-head, five-main bearing, eight-cylinder engine displacing 323.5 cubic inches and delivering 135 horsepower at 3400 RPM. Prices began at $1,825 for the coupe while the same body style sold for $1,735 on the Saratoga. Both models rested on a 127.5-inch wheelbase platform and came equipped with a Fluid Drive and hydraulically operated M-5 transmission. They had four-wheel drum brakes, an independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs, and a semi-floating rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

Prior to World War II, the Town & Country model was only available as a station wagon but now embossed other bodies. The bodies were fitted with ash framing, mahogany veneer, and steel panels, and were the most expensive models in the Chrysler range.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020