Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
When World War II ended and automobile production resumed, most of the vehicles produced were of pre-War design. Some had slight modifications and it took several years for the automakers to introduce totally new vehicles. For Chrysler, that year was 1949, when they introduced their first postwar all-new styling change. 1949 also marked the company's 25th year in business.
In addition to the styling changes, Chrysler introduced a station wagon, a body style that had not been part of the company's lineup since 1942. In 1949, Chrysler produced just 850 examples of the Royal Station Wagon out of the 124,218 vehicles built by Chrysler. Chevrolet produced a mere 10,171 examples and Ford just 13,412 station wagons. Clearly, this was a small, niche market. They were rare when they were produced, and in modern times, they remain very rare.
Along with the station wagon, the Royal Series also included a club coupe, sedan, and a long-wheelbase sedan with seating for eight. Only 185 examples of the LWB Sedan were produced. The most popular body style of the series was the 4-door sedan, which saw 13,192 examples produced, selling for $2,020 (less options).
This example was purchased by the current owner from a New Hampshire-based collector in the mid-2000s at the AACA Eastern Division meet at Hershey, Pennsylvania. Power is from Chrysler's 'Spitfire Six' which offers 116 horsepower and displaces 251 cubic inches. There is a three-speed Fluid Drive semi-automatic gearbox, though a three-speed manual was standard on all Royals. The wheelbase measures 129.5 inches and there are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2011, this Royal Series station wagon was offered for sale at the St. John auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $55,000 - $70,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $57,750 including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
In addition to the styling changes, Chrysler introduced a station wagon, a body style that had not been part of the company's lineup since 1942. In 1949, Chrysler produced just 850 examples of the Royal Station Wagon out of the 124,218 vehicles built by Chrysler. Chevrolet produced a mere 10,171 examples and Ford just 13,412 station wagons. Clearly, this was a small, niche market. They were rare when they were produced, and in modern times, they remain very rare.
Along with the station wagon, the Royal Series also included a club coupe, sedan, and a long-wheelbase sedan with seating for eight. Only 185 examples of the LWB Sedan were produced. The most popular body style of the series was the 4-door sedan, which saw 13,192 examples produced, selling for $2,020 (less options).
This example was purchased by the current owner from a New Hampshire-based collector in the mid-2000s at the AACA Eastern Division meet at Hershey, Pennsylvania. Power is from Chrysler's 'Spitfire Six' which offers 116 horsepower and displaces 251 cubic inches. There is a three-speed Fluid Drive semi-automatic gearbox, though a three-speed manual was standard on all Royals. The wheelbase measures 129.5 inches and there are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2011, this Royal Series station wagon was offered for sale at the St. John auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $55,000 - $70,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $57,750 including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011
2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $55,000-USD $70,000
Sale Price :
USD $57,750
1949 Chrysler Royal Series Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Chrysler Royal Series
(Data based on Model Year 1949 sales)
1949 Chrysler Royal Station Wagon Sold for USD$56,100 2014 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale | |
1949 Chrysler Royal Station Wagon Chassis#: 70052545 Sold for USD$148,500 2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1949 CHRYSLER ROYAL CUSTOM 2 DOOR COUPE Chassis#: C4590415 Sold for USD$11,000 2013 Barrett-Jackson - Reno Tahoe | |
1949 Chrysler Royal Station Wagon Chassis#: 70051011 Sold for USD$57,750 2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns | |
1949 CHRYSLER ROYAL NINE PASSENGER STATION WAGON Sold for USD$101,750 2007 Worldwide Auctions - Houston Classic 2007 | |
1949 CHRYSLER ROYAL Sold for USD$14,250 2006 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions - February 25-26 |
Chrysler Royal Seriess That Failed To Sell At Auction
1949 Chrysler Royal Series's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949 CHRYSLER ROYAL STATION WAGON | 2020 McCormick's Auction # 68 | ||||
1949 CHRYSLER ROYAL STATION WAGON | 2020 McCormick's Auction # 68 | $35,000 | |||
1949 Chrysler Royal Station Wagon | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall | $51,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $64,892 range.
1992 LTI CARBODIES LONDON TAXI Chassis#:FX4NDR73688X Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1972 CHEVROLET C10 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:CCE142A134828 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194675S110198 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1971 CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:KE181S627289 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1998 Ferrari 456 GTA Chassis#:zffwp50a4w0111124 Sold for $64,900 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:20867s106948 Sold for $64,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Chassis#:124379n651761 Sold for $64,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1972 Chevrolet El Camino Chassis#:1d80j2b513503 Sold for $64,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1956 Chevrolet 150 Custom Chassis#:a56k110846 Sold for $64,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1962 Imperial Crown Convertible Chassis#:9223172452 Sold for $64,400 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1953 Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine MKI Sports Roadster Chassis#:A3013164/LRX Sold for $64,400 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Chassis#:JA3AN74K9VY003139 Sold for $64,400 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1941 BUICK ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:14161672 Sold for $64,960 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1962 Citroën 2CV Sahara Chassis#:0000344 Sold for $64,281 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1962 Amphicar 770 Chassis#:100204 Sold for $64,400 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2015 BMW i8 Chassis#:WBY2Z2C58FV392558 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:124379L520510 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 CHEVROLET NOMAD WAGON Chassis#:VC56K033568 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1971 PLYMOUTH GTX Chassis#:RS23U1G163935 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1957 CHEVROLET NOMAD WAGON Chassis#:VC57K153453 Sold for $64,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ |
1949 Chrysler Royal Series
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Chrysler Royal Series model years