Dodge Wayfarer

First Generation
1949 Dodge Wayfarer roadster
Overview
Manufacturer	Dodge (Chrysler)
Production	1949–1952
Assembly	Dodge Main Factory, Hamtramck, MI
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door roadster/Sportabout 2-door business coupe 2-door sedan
Related	DeSoto Deluxe
Powertrain
Engine	3.8 L (3773 cc; 230.2 cu in) L-head I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115 in (2,921 mm)
Length	195 in (4,953 mm) (1949-50) 199 7⁄8 in (5,077 mm) (1951-52)
Width	73 in (1,854 mm) (1949-52)
Height	63 1⁄2 in (1,613 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Dodge Fast Four
Successor	Dodge Meadowbrook Special

The Dodge Wayfarer was an automobile produced by Dodge from February 1949 until 1952. It was discontinued without a replacement in the United States, although the Kingsway series remained available in export markets. The Wayfarer was the first true roadster built by the Big Three since the 1930s. However, the roadster concept was soon altered to the plusher Sportabout as higher comfort levels were demanded by the post-war auto buyers. 9325 roadsters and Sportabouts were built, out of a total of 217,623 Wayfarers of all bodystyles.

The "Chrysler Wayfarer" model name was also used by Chrysler's Australian arm for a series of pickup ("ute") models built between late 1958 and 1960 (AP2 and AP3 models, some perhaps built as late as 1961) in 1205 examples. Later, there was a ute called the "Chrysler Valiant Wayfarer". This model was built from April 1965 until August 1971.

The "true" 1949 Dodges were introduced in February 1949, after a long production run of the 1948s. The Wayfarer (known as the D-29 series), aside from its shorter wheelbase, shared the boxy corporate design of the new 1949 Chrysler products. While much improved over the earlier Dodges, the Wayfarer still had to do without features such as a crankshaft dampener, the new Micronic oil filter, a splash-proof distributor, and rivetless brake linings. The windshield wipers were vacuum-powered rather than electric, and only the right-hand door received an exterior lock - the roadster receiving none. The Wayfarer arrived with three different bodystyles: a two-door sedan, a two-door business coupe, and the two-door roadster (only entering production in May). The business coupe shared some bodywork with Plymouth's business coupe version, but the other Wayfarer's had unique pressings.

The roadster had removable plastic side windows instead of wind-down units, and a short top which eliminated the need for rear quarter windows. More permanent swing-out vent windows were available as an option. However, Californian regulations on hand signalling meant that roll-down windows had to be added quick and retro-fitted to Californian market vehicles. This happened in September, after which the roll-down windows became a rarely selected delete-option. A roadster with a rumble seat was even tested (with a bottom-hinged trunk lid), but the opening would have had to be moved and the cost of tooling up for such an option meant that it was soon dropped.

1949 production totalled 63,816, equalling 25 percent of Dodge's total number. Of these, 49,054 were sedans, 9342 were coupes, and 5420 were roadsters.