1947 Chrysler Windsor

As World War II came to a close and peacetime resumed, automakers quickly switched from war production to building cars, and to fill the demand for new automobiles. There was little time to design an all-new car, so most companies resumed production of their post-war products. For Chrysler, they made slight styling changes to their pre-war products, by extending the front fenders into the doors, which gave the postwar Chryslers a more aerodynamic appearance. Chrysler bestowed its vehicles with names that had an air of nobility, such as Royal, Windsor, Saratoga, and Town & Country. Body styles included coupes, sedans, and convertibles.

Production of the Windsor began in the pre-war years - in 1939, with the final Windsor being built in 1961. Production would continue in Canada until 1966. When introduced in 1939, the Windsor was a junior model to the larger Chrysler New Yorker. A long or short-wheelbase version of the Windsor was offered in 1940. Production ended in January of 1942 in preparation for war production.

The 1946 to 1948 Windsor models were similar to the 1942 models. Minor aesthetic changes included a new grille. Mechanical changes included a 17 (US) gallon fuel tank, full instrumentation, and a handbrake warning signal that alerted the driver that the handbrake was not fully released. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, coupe, and convertible. Power was from a 250.6 cubic-inch, 'Spitfire', L-head, six-cylinder engine rated at 114 horsepower. The wheelbase measured 121.5 inches and had a width of 208.25 inches. A four-speed manual transmission was standard with the semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmission available as optional equipment.

The interior featured a two-tone wool broadcloth upholstery with a fully carpeted front compartment. There was rear seat folding armrests on sedans, and an electric clock. The list of options was extensive and included an all-weather air control system, twin heaters, defroster, fan control, and highlander upholstery - to list a few.

by Dan Vaughan

Business Coupe
Chassis number: 70708702

Between 1946 through 1949, Chrysler produced a total of 1980 Windsor business coupes. It is unknown how many were produced year-by-year during this time, as Chrysler did not keep annual production records right after the war. The three-passenger business coupe is an iconic design of the 1930s and 1940s. Typically, they were offered only one of the least expensive series in the marque's entry-level model. Things were different for Chrysler, as the business coupes could be found in all passenger car lines from Plymouth to Chrysler. They were available in all series except the Imperials.

From 1946 through 1949, the business coupes were one of the more prolific of the body styles offered, representing a mere portion of the 330,000 cars produced during this period by Chrysler. The New Yorker was the most sought-after business coupe variant, as it was fitted with an eight-cylinder engine. The Windsor models were fitted with a six-cylinder L-head engine that displaced 250.6 cubic inches and produced 114 horsepower.

This vehicle's odometer reads just 10,988 miles since new. The spare tire is believed to have never been used and still has instructions for washing off its protective coating. The tires show very little wear. The exterior of the car is now painted Andante Green. There is an undercoat that has helped protect it over the years. There is some light surface rust on the frame, but overall it is in good condition. The doors close well and the chassis is straight.

This 1947 Chrysler Windsor 3-Passenger Business Coupe was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $27,500 including the buyer's premium.

In 1947, the Windsor was basically just an upgraded version of the Royal. It included all Royal updates and features plus the addition of two-tone wool broadcloth upholstery. There was an electric clock, a rear seat folding armrest on sedans, and carpeted front compartment. The convertibles included exterior 'goose-neck' mirrors. In comparison to their 1946 counterparts, little had changed. They were very similar to the New Yorker line, but without the larger engine. The price ranged from around $1,480 to just under $2400, without the addition of optional equipment.

by Dan Vaughan

Town & Country
Chassis number: 71002423

Chrysler's first Town and Country was introduced in 1941 on the six-cylinder Royal line. The body style was a wood-bodied, barrel-back sedan with a fastback profile with twin hinged 'barn doors' at the rear. There were exactly 999 built and 200 of them were in six-passenger configuration. The rest had three bench seats allowing up to 9 passengers. A similar lineup was continued into 1942, with nearly identical production despite the war-shortened model year.

When World War II came to an end, Chrysler planned to expand the range with five body styles. However, only a conventional trunk-back sedan and an eight-cylinder convertible coupe were built. There were just 100 long-wheelbase eight-cylinder sedans built and the rest were six-cylinder cars on the shorter Windsor wheelbase.

The second-series 1949 line dropped the Town & Country sedan, and for 1950 the model was only available on the eight-cylinder line in hardtop coupe configuration with painted insert panels. The Town and Country line continued for many years, thereafter, enjoying a long succession of Chrysler steel-bodied station wagons and minivans.

This example is a nearly original, 31,000-mile car. In 2009, it was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $52,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 70609560

The current owner's father of this Chrysler Windsor Highlander Convertible acquired it in 1975 and drove it home from New York to Canada. It is an original example and came into the current owner's possession after acquiring it from his mother a few years following his father's passing in 1994. Around 1989 and 1990, the engine was rebuilt.

Around 2016, the car received a restoration, including new paint, a new interior, a detailed engine compartment, and a new convertible top and tires. It is finished in Sumac Red with a tan canvas roof. it received a correct Highlander plaid interior at the time of restoration, in a similar fashion to as it was delivered when new. It has the Fluid Drive, radio, and heater, as well as whitewall tires, which became optional in 1947. There are tools and a jack in the trunk, along with the original trunk mat and the original spare tire.

Since the restoration was completed, the car has been driven 1,000 miles.

by Dan Vaughan