In an age of cell phones, disposable appliances, laptops thinner and smaller than LIFE magazine, it’s hard to remember that we once drove large, slow, hand-crafted automobiles built with beauty in mind, excellence in every leather stitch and pride in final assembly. And while every one of the major manufacturers built luxury cars for a wide range of buyers, Chrysler built some of the most elegant and affordable luxury-minded recreational cars. Indeed, for those seeking a vehicle as an appropriate enhancement to their sophisticated country lifestyle, nothing could compete with the stature and adventure offered in the Town & Country.
Exposed woodwork has been a part of automotive coachwork dating back to the earliest automobile designs. The crafting traditions of wood, both as a structural material and cosmetic delight found its origins in elegant sailing vessels and motorized luxury yachts. The first automobiles were hand-built with wood frames and stretched materials over wooden framework. Over time, as steel production stampings improved and hydraulic presses allowed for larger body stampings, wood became more of a decorative treatment, but in the late 1940s, wood still offered a mass manufacturer a way to extend model variety using minimal tooling and artisanal hand labor. For wagons, coupes and convertibles, using wood as both a decorative and structural component was both financially viable and market-savvy.
Chrysler introduced the Town & Country in 1941 as a wood-bodied, barrel-back sedan. Offered within its Royal line and featuring an in-line eight-cylinder, the Royal came loaded with high-end features and refined finishes. Unlike most wood-bodied utility vehicles of the period, Chrysler’s Town & Country sported lavishly varnished woods, quality upholstery and chrome plated art-deco trim. Chrysler foresaw a market for an upscale production-based automobile that would attract wealthy buyers seeking both the “Town” and “Country” driving experience—pre-dating the modern SUV by decades. The Town & Country offered buyers a sophisticated alternative to production models, elegant for city and chauffeur driving, yet sufficiently utilitarian for country living. Chrysler’s designers created a wood-bodied car with the same basic lines as contemporary Chrysler steel-bodied sedans, yet with greater refinement, quality and a bespoke interior, reminiscent of wealthy country estates. As Chrysler had done with its pre-war station wagons, assembly was achieved using structural white ash, accented by contrasting panels of rich Honduran mahogany. All this was finished similar to fine furniture with exposed finger joinery, complex contours, and refined but sturdy hardware. The bodylines were lofted in keeping with many of the earlier period “Skiff”-type roadsters that literally were wooden boats grafted to the chassis of a car from the cowl line back. But in keeping with the more rounded features of the automotive times of the 1940s, contours were softened and rolled. This was an important manufacturing advantage as it allowed the hand craftsmen to be a bit loose in dimensions and contours, rather than following crisp and specific lines. In addition to the warmth and texture wood offered, the contrasting chrome plating and glossy painted surfaces created a dynamic visual that cars in this price range had yet to achieve. Not only did the woody convertible, wagon and sedans deliver vibrant contrast to the mostly bland post-war offerings, they aligned with the emerging recreational energy, camping and “discover America” marketing that young families were beginning to enjoy. As roadways opened up, National Parks expanded, and campgrounds invited motoring adventure, so the woody fit perfectly into the architecture of the times. 
Built on the New Yorker’s enormous 127.5-inch wheelbase, the Town & Country convertible was longer than the sedan, and included all the New Yorker features. Although production totals were not officially recorded, between 1946 and 1948, it is estimated that as many as 8,368 New Yorker Town & Country convertibles were built, yet fewer than 500 are known to have survived today. The hand-made process, however, did not last, as demand for station wagons grew and new methods of production had to be developed. By the mid-1950s and into the ’70s, the name “Town & Country” had become more of a brand than a statement of elegance, resulting in steel-bodied station wagons and minivans with plastic trim and adhesive wood finishes; a far cry from the handmade offerings of the past. 
Although times have changed, one need only gaze upon the distinctive elegance that accompanies these uncommon and dazzling Town & Country models. As your driving experience unfolds, you are literally transported back to a different time and pace of life. The surrounding luxury, and country charm remind you that these beautiful coachbuilt, post-war New Yorkers are every bit as much about an elegant past as they are an invitation to grab a wicker picnic basket filled with decadent delights, set a course for a quiet country road, and treat yourself to a little bit of Town & Country luxury.
