1950 Dodge Wayfarer

1950 Dodge Wayfarer

During the years following the end of World War II, American automakers raced to end military production and return to civilian automotive assembly. By 1946, most Americans were still tooling around in 1942 or older models and were hungry for new ones, even if they were not completely new. Chrysler's new postwar models made their debut in 1949, including Dodge's Wayfarer.

This 1950 Dodge Wayfarer is decked out in Island Green (code 520) was made in Chrysler's Detroit, Michigan assembly plant. The car's paint and chrome trim, including the stone guards ahead of the rear wheels, are in overall good order and appears to be original patina. The chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body. The engine bay and cargo area are in good, original order. Spare tire and wheel located in the trunk. There is a spare review mirror stored in the glovebox.

Cars with split screen windshields like this one would become increasingly rare as the 1950s progressed, as one-piece windshields superseded them.

This Wayfarer rolls on new Cocker wide-strip bias-ply tires. Each one is mounted to a steel wheel with a chrome wheel cover. The tires and wheels are all in very good order. New parts include fuel tank and tailpipe. (Muffler back)

Under the hood is Chrysler's 230 CID straight six-cylinder engine with a one-barrel carburetor. This motor is backed by the company's “Fluid Drive” three-speed, semi-automatic transmission and a 3.73 final drive. With Fluid Drive, these cars do not change gears “automatically” but can be held stationary in any gear without disengaging the clutch. They can also be started in any gear without slipping the clutch, although third gear starts are painfully slow. Fluid drive advantages are:

The car can be driven by declutching and shifting in the normal fashion, starting in first, shifting to second and then to third

Downshifts from third to second are greatly reduced

In stop-and-go traffic, the car may be left in second gear with the driver starting and stopping merely by applying the foot brake and accelerator pedals, as is done in a car equipped with a modern automatic transmission

Acceleration from five mph up in third gear is entirely acceptable under most level-road conditions

Ascending moderately steep hills does not require downshifting

Wear on clutch parts is greatly reduced because there is no need to “slip” the clutch for smooth starts from rest

Fluid drive cars have a lower numerical rear axle ratio, thereby reducing constant speed engine RPMs

Inside, this car features a tan interior with broadcloth upholstery. The front and rear bench seats are in good, shape, as is the three-spoke steering wheel. The inner door panels are in decent condition but could use some TLC. The headliner and carpeting are in good, original order. The metal dashboard has a full array of ancillary gauges, an AM radio and a heater. Please note: fuel gauge and am radio are inop, wipers are vacuum and work slowly, brakes pull to the left under heavy braking.

For 1950, the D-33 Wayfarers (as for the entire Dodge lineup) received a facelift with a sleeker grille, new bumpers and new rear fenders with the taillights mounted directly on them. Model year total was 75,403 with the following breakdown of 65,000 sedans, 7,500 coupes and 2,903 roadsters/Sportabouts.

Documentation includes owner's manual, Dodge Passenger Car Shop Manual, assorted parts and more. Competition to this Wayfarer in 1950 included Pontiac's DeLuxe Sedan Coupe and Mercury's 8 Coupe among many others.

If early postwar Chrysler products are your bag, then you need to check out this 1950 Wayfarer. This one represents an excellent way to enter the classic car universe for a prospective owner. Driving it to a cruise night event or a local car show means you likely will not see another one like it.

VIN: 37090617

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.

Key details
Exterior: Island Green exterior (code 520)
Interior: Tan interior with broadcloth upholstery
Transmission: Three-speed Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission and 3.73 rear end
VIN / chassis: 37090617

Offered by MotoeXotica Classic Cars, 2340 Cassens Dr, St. Louis, MO 63026. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of MotoeXotica Classic Cars.