August Car of the Month: 1942 Chrysler Windsor Town and Country Barrel Back
When most people today of a certain age hear the words “Chrysler Town and Country” their mind probably goes to minivan and the ultimate symbol of all things soccer mom. However, the Town and Country station wagon that Chrysler debuted in 1941 could not be further from that mini van image.
An upscale model, it featured wooden doors and body panels. The interior was appointed with leather seating, interior wood door panels and a beautifully designed dash and gauge cluster. They were configured in six or nine passenger models as seen in this example. The bodies, built by the Perkins Wood Products Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan were built with a White Ash structure and paneled in Honduran Mahogany panels. As the roof skin and rear window from the Chrysler Imperial 8 passenger limousine was utilized, it dictated the shape of the rear of the car. Instead of a tailgate the rear entrance consisted of a pair of side hinged “clamshell” doors beneath the fixed rear window, creating the barrel back appearance.
To further enhance the usability of this family transporter, Chrysler added the metal and wood roof rack. Always built as a luxury model, Chrysler included four wheel hydraulic drum brakes, independent coil spring front suspension and rear semi-elliptical springs. As production ceased in January of 1942 due to a change to military production of Sherman tanks and other items, only 997 Barrel Back wagons were produced. Experts believe that only 24 examples exist today, making it quite rare and desirable.
- Production: 1941-1942 (pre-war)
- Assembly: Jefferson Avenue Assembly, Detroit MI
- Body style: 4 door rear wheel drive station wagon. 6 or 9 passenger
- Engine: 241.5 Cubic inch “Spitfire” L head inline 6 cylinder engine, single 1 barrel downdraft carburetor, 108 BHP at 3600 RPM
- Brakes: 4 wheel hydraulic drum
- Suspension: Independent coil spring front, live rear axle with semi elliptical leaf springs
- Transmission: Vacamatic fluid drive vacuum assisted semi-automatic or 3 speed syncromesh manual
- Wheelbase: 124”
- Base price: $1,492 ($31,887 in today’s dollars)
Interesting fact: Chrysler recommended wood be varnished every 6 months!
