1949 Dodge Wayfarer

The 1948 Dodge model lineup consisted of the Deluxe and the Custom both resting on a 119.5-inch wheelbase (137.5 inches for the seven-passenger sedan). Dodge had resumed civilian production following World War II using pre-war designs with mild styling updates. For 1949, they introduced the first all-new post-war styling, new model names, but continued to use the L-head six-cylinder 230 CID engine delivering 103 horsepower.

The 1949 Dodge Wayfarer was the entry-level model offered in two-door body styles. The Meadowbrook was only available as a sedan, and the Coronet had both 2- and 4-door body styles.

The two-door Wayfarer sedan had a base price of $1,740 while the coupe listed for $1,610. The three-passenger roadster had a factory price of $1,730. The 2-door, six-passenger sedan was the most popular Wayfarer body style with 49,054 sales. 9,342 were coupes and 5,420 were roadsters. The Wayfarer rested on a 115-inch wheelbase while the Meadowbrook and Coronet had a 123.5-inch platform. A three-speed transmission with Fluid-Drive was standard in all 1949 models.

The business coupe shared some design features with the Plymouth business coupe. The two-door roadster, which entered production in May, had removable plastic side windows instead of wind-down units, and a short top that eliminated the need for rear quarter windows.

The Wayfarers had longer and lower bodies than the 1948 models, with a checkerboard grille with a more pronounced peak in the center. The front fenders flared into the body and enclosed the 6.70 x 15 tube-type black sidewall tires. White sidewall tires were optional. The windows were initially detachable, but vent wings and roll-up windows were added in September.

Dodge would use the Wayfarer nameplate from February of 1949 until 1952.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020