1951 Dodge Wayfarer

The Dodge Wayfarer was one of the least expensive models within the Chrysler Corporation's hierarchy of models, selling slightly higher than most Plymouth models, and below DeSoto and Chrysler. Throughout its brief existence, from February 1949 through 1952, it was 'entry-level' Dodge model and, among the available body styles, was the first true roadster built by the Big Three since the 1930s.

All-new post-war styling was bestowed upon the 1949 Dodge models, with lower and longer bodies, standard Fluid-Drive transmission, and new optional Gyro-Matic semi-automatic transmission. The overall styling theme bestowed upon the 1949 Dodge vehicles was shared with other new 1949 Chrysler products.

The engine remained the tried-and-true 230 cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder unit offering 103 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. The wheelbase of the Wayfarer was shorter than previous models, measuring 115 inches with an overall length of 196.3 inches (for the sedans). Body styles included a two-door sedan, a two-door coupe, and a roadster. In 1949, the coupe was priced at $1,610, the sedan at $1,740, and the roadster at $1,730. The roadster, which entered production in May, featured detachable (removable) plastic side windows but later versions of this body style had vent wings and roll-up windows. The short top eliminated the need for rear quarter windows. Swing-out vent windows were optional. The need for roll-down windows quickly presented itself primarily due to California regulations on hand signaling, so roll-down windows were quickly implemented with many Californian market vehicles being retrofitted with this feature. The plastic side windows could be ordered as a 'delete-option', though few buyers selected this feature. The business coupe was the same as Plymouth's business coupe, but the other body styles were unique to the Wayfarer.

Helping to keep prices low, the Wayfarer lacked several common amenities, including electric-powered windshield wipers (used Vacuum power instead), a splash-proof distributor, a crankshaft dampener, the new Micronic oil filter, and rivetless brake linings. The exterior lock was located only on the right-hand door of all Wayfarer body styles except the Roadster, which had no exterior locks.

The 1949 Dodge D-29 Wayfarer
The Wayfarer accounted for Approximately twenty-five percent of Dodge's total automobile production in 1949, with the sedan being the most popular with 49,054 units sold, followed by 9,342 of the coupes, and 5,420 of the roadster.

The 1950 Dodge D-33 Wayfarer
Having introduced all-new sheet metal the previous year, only minor revisions were made for 1950, primarily to the trim. The grille was new and comprised of three horizontal bars, with the top bar curving down at the ends, and the second and third bars connected, forming a long oval with integrated round parking lights at either end. The wraparound bumpers were new, as were the rear fenders with the taillights mounted directly on them.

The two-door sedan was priced at $1,740 and 65,000 examples were built. The coupe, selling at just over $1,600, found 7,500 willing buyers and 2,903 examples were roadsters. The roadster name was changed mid-year to the 'Sportabout' as few were 'true' roadsters with the plastic side window. Although sales were only slightly higher than the previous year, it represented a significant improvement as Chrysler endured a 104-day strike, which lasted from January 25 until May 8, impacting all of Chrysler's production.

The 1951 Dodge D-41 Wayfarer
Significant styling updates were bestowed upon the 1951 Wayfarer, with a new slotted grille, new front fenders, and a new hood. A single chrome strip was placed on the front and rear fenders, the Wayfarer name could be found on the front fenders, behind the front wheelwell and below the chrome strip. The prominent wraparound bumpers had a rounded cross-section and continued to reside below the grille. The two-piece windshield was bigger and the dashboard was new.

Still resting on the 115-inch wheelbase platform, the L-head six-cylinder engine continued to displace 230 cubic inches (3.25 x 4.38-inch bore/stroke), with solid valve lifters, a Stromberg one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, 7.1:1 compression and delivered 103 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A Fluid-Drive transmission was standard with a Gyromatic unit optional ($95). A 3.73:1 rear axle was standard, with 3.90:1 or 4.00:1 optional.

1951 and 1952 Production
Production totals include both 1951 and 1952, and since 1951 was the final year of the roadster, and production of the business coupe was brief in 1952, their totals primarily represent 1951. The roadster (Sportabout) was priced at $1,885 and 1,002 examples were built. The two-door, six-passenger sedan was just under $1,900 ($2,095 in 1952), and 70,700 units were built. The coupe, priced at $1,760 ($1,890 in 1952), found 6,702 willing buyers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023