The Chrysler lineup received its first postwar restyling in 1949 to commemorate the marque’s 25th anniversary.

The 1949 model year also signaled Chrysler’s final offering of its prestigious, limited-production, New Yorker-based, V-8 powered, wood-paneled Town and Country Convertible.

The Town and Country’s white ash framing and genuine mahogany veneer panels were replaced in 1949 by ash pieces applied over an all-steel body with Di-Noc inserts or body-color painted panels.

This was the first “T&C” that did not include the white ash framing as part of the structure of the car, and Chrysler claimed greater safety, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Built in Detroit, the new-for-’49 Town and Country featured an independent front suspension with live rear axle and leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

Power derived from a 324-cubic-inch inline eight-cylinder “Spitfire” engine and “Presto-matic” fluid-drive three-speed manual transmission.

Other standard features includ...