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.

Throughout the production lifespan of the Wayfarer, it was the 'base-level' trim, followed by the 'intermediate' Meadowbrook, and the 'range-topping' Coronet. The Meadowbrook and Coronet both rested on a 123.5-inch wheelbase platform, and all three Dodge models shared the 230 CID L-head six-cylinder engine.

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.

The 1952 Dodge D-41 Wayfarer

1952 was the final year of Wayfarer production, and they were nearly identical to the previous year. The business coupe was discontinued in February 1952.

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 Dan Vaughan

The Dodge Wayfarer was introduced for 1949 and was the company's entry-level vehicle. It was offered as a two-door, six-passenger sedan, a two-door, three-passenger coupe and as a two-door, three-passenger roadster. The roadster body style was initially offered with removable windows, which were superseded by roll-up windows with vents in 1951. The 1949 and 1950 Wayfarer are of the last production roadsters built in America, except with the exceptions of the Corvette and the Kaiser-Darrin.

Like many automakers, the Dodge vehicles were not ready with its first all-new postwar cars in time for the fall 1948 new car roll-outs. So the 1948 Dodges were sold through April as the 'first Series' 1949s. The second series of 1949 models were completely new, with the exception of the L-head six-cylinder engine found under the bonnet.

Sales were strong for Dodge during the 1949 season, with nearly 257,000 examples produced. This earned them an eighth place in industry volume.

The Dodge Wayfarer series rode on a 115-inch platform with total production reaching 63816 units for 1949. The most popular body style was the 2-door sedan which saw the bulk of the Wayfarer production, with 49,054 units produced. Just 5,420 were the roadster, priced at $1,725 - nearly identical to the price of the 2-door sedan.

The designs for 1949 were rather square, with lower and longer bodies than the 1948 models. The fenders in the front flared into the body while the rear fenders continued to be bolted on, and were capped by three-sided taillights.

Powering the Wayfarer was a 230.2 cubic-inch six-cylinder, five-main bearing engine that had a 7.0;1 compression ratio and a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor. Horsepower was rated at just over 100 with torque reaching 190 lb-ft at 1,200 RPM. The top speed was in the neighborhood of 75 mph. This base engine would have the same amount of power until the 1954 model year.

The engine was mated to a semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmission that had two gear positions: low, and high. The 'low' speed governed the first and second gears while the 'high' position took care of the third and fourth.

The 1950 Wayfarer received minor restyling to the trim and a new grille. The grill had three horizontal bars, with the top bar curving down at each of the ends. Sales continued to be strong, with sales exceeding 75,000 units.

The 1951 and 1952 Wayfarer models were virtually identical. The 1951 season saw the Wayfarer receive several styling updates which would remain through the 1952 season. They had a new hood, grille and bumper modifications. The bumpers had a rounded cross-section, the hood sloped smoothly to the grille, and a single chrome stripe was placed on both the front and rear fenders. The Wayfarer name could be found on the front fenders, and the Dodge crest was located in the center of the hood.

Just under 80,000 examples were produced in 1951.

The biggest news for the Wayfarer series for the 1952 model year was the absence of the Roadster body style. Though exceptionally elegant and visually pleasing, it was never a strong seller. Five thousand four hundred twenty were sold in 1949, followed by 2,903 the following year. For 1951, Dodge sold just 1,002 examples, prompting them to drop it for 1952.

1952 would also be the final year for the Wayfarer. For 1953, the Meadowbrook Series would serve as the company's entry-level vehicle.

by Dan Vaughan