Hot Rods 1949 Chrysler Traveler

I recently purchased this 1949 First Series Chrysler Traveler and was debating what to do with it. Drive it as is (Survivor) or Mild Custom. What to do? Feedback is welcome.

 

I'd leave it as is....but that's just me.

 

If it currently runs and drives leave it as is for now. Should you decide to upgrade everything mechanically to make it more reliable then do so ( it’s your car so do what makes you happy).

 

Would make a great bomb. It's quite a looker as is. That dash is drop dead gorgeous! E

 

Keep it as it is.

 

I’d leave it alone. But that’s just me.

 

I would use it for Uber service.

 

Actually, that would be pretty amusing.

 

Stunning ride . If anything maybe lower it a smidge .

but I would not touch a dang thing other then freshen up the mechanicals if required.

she’s a ‘beauty !!!!

 

That might be the only early '49 still in existance. The Town & Country guys could tell you.
Just split the manifold with 22'' Porters as far forward as they'll fit using 1 7/8'' tailpipes under the bumper. Other than that, just do some detailing & maintenance.
That is indeed one nice dash ....

 

HEMI!

 

Road trip!!!!!

 

sell it to me

 

Dual exhaust and any speed parts that could be found for the Chrysler engine would be really cool on here, although that stuff can be pretty hard to come by.

 

There's a head in the cl***ifieds. ...

 

I considered that. Early to Mid 50's Firedome

 

I was thinking a dual carb set up with Red's Headers would be old school.

 

Get a vintage wood canoe for the roof rack. There's a similar DeSoto Suburban that sits on permanent display outside Giggles Campfire Grille at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul.

 

Because no one else has said it yet...G***ER!

Of course I'm joking, leave it alone.

 

Because my father had one, in his car flipplng days, I'd use it as is.
We used to call it 'The Bomber'.
Looks like the shift knob has my favorite feature.
When p***ing some one, on the 2 lane, Stomp on the gas, hold the ****on in.
As the 'Rs' climb up, a solenoid pops it into second gear and you roar past those less fortunate.
No clutch required. After the p*** it would resume in high.

 

I don't know, that car has a lot of charm just the way it is.
I love those wheel covers with the Chrysler script. Just bought a set for my '53.

 

I personally love it as is. It is gorgeous and I think you will get soooo many more smiles with her that way.

 

Just curious, do you already have a DeSoto engine or are you just partial to them?

 

Nice car to save. The hard to find dash plastic trim looks pretty nice.

 

A 4 door mild custom is hard to pull off on any make, and historically these big Chryslers were terminal square or old man cars, not custom fodder. Engine swaps have been done, notably by @bigdad here, but v8s take work to fit into the long narrow bay. Here's mine from a decade back.
47 Windsor.

 

Tex Smith did a resto-rod version on a ~'48 Chrysler limo. Build-up was featured multiple months in a now-defunct restorer-type mag.(I forgot the name). A color feature was in Rod Action(maybe?) or Street Rodder. Very nicely done, flathead w/Al head & a few other mild mods, + OD, & mostly stock-type rebuild on things. Made for a fabulous daily-driver/reacher.
Marcus...

 

It is a 4 door ,,,,leave it as it is.Like it!

 

I am on the leave it camp because it appears to be a nice original car.
I love my rods & customs but I can appreciate a nice stocker the especially one you don't see on a regular basis.

If I were to do anything to it myself, everything would be reversible. Maybe a slightly louder muffler and a 2"-ish drop.

Side note not relating to your particular car. I love the picture of the DeSoto with the wooden canoe on its roof rack. I love seeing pictures of vintage Americana even if it's been recreated. I am kind of a weirdo I will drive a old car like a regular car and take it on camping trips, grocery shopping or maybe even commuting duty if I trust it's reliability. I mean that's what they were designed to do. My only fear is getting the car stolen or parts stolen when I am away from it for hours and it's parked in the open. But that's irrelevant Just thinking out loud
Anyways yes I think I would probably leave the car as is or do real mild things to it that just give it the right look. It's such an oddity in stock form I don't think it would take much to make it stand out if anything at all.

 

What would Tex Smith do? Nrgwizard beat me to it!

 

No. I do not have one. But if the old flat head should give up the ghost... That may be the direction I go.