Rare 1950 Dodge Wayfarer Emerges With Original Engine and Bad News Inside the Cabin

But the Dodge legacy also includes nameplates most of us don't even know existed. I listed a few of them in this blurb back in 2024. The Wayfarer isn't among them, but it could very well be.

Introduced in 1949, the Wayfarer was Dodge's entry-level full-size car. It slotted beneath the mid-level Meadowbrook and the range-topping Coronet. But unlike the latter, the Wayfarer went into the history books after only four years. In 1952, the nameplate was discontinued and never used again (although Chrysler offered a Wayfarer in Australia in the 1960s).

The Wayfarer was a relatively popular vehicle, selling 217,623 units over four model years. However, it is a rarely seen classic today, mainly because most were abandoned in junkyards. The convertible you see here is the scarcest iteration. Dodge sold only 9,325 Sportabout units over three years (the body style was discontinued for 1952).

Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, this drop-top is one of 2,903 convertibles produced in 1950. The Wayfarer has seen better days, but the fact that it's still in one piece turns it into a rare gem. These roadsters are usually plagued with rust and can barely be used as parts cars.

There's no info on whether the car is still wearing the factory paint, but the patina has an interesting pattern that may be worth preserving. However, the next owner will have to address a few rust issues on the rocker panels, upper front fenders, and engine hood.

The interior is the bearer of both good and bad news. The worst part about it is that the front seats are missing. The rear bench is still in the car, but it's pretty much a frame needing full restoration. The good news is that the lack of seats and carpeting allows a proper evaluation of the floor panels. Thankfully, they appear to be solid. The Mopar also needs a new soft top. Much like the floors, the dashboard and the door panels are rust-free.

The two photos showing the engine bay confirm the presence of a six-cylinder engine. The Wayfarer was sold with a 230-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) inline-six rated at 103 horsepower. I'm tempted to believe this mostly complete motor is the original one. The transmission is a three-speed manual, which is also correct to the 1950 Wayfarer.

The engine "runs with gas down the carb," according to the seller, but this also means it needs an overhaul for proper operation. He also believes the 45,620-mile (73,418 km) reading on the odometer is authentic.

The Wayfarer is listed for $5,000, which seems fair, but a full restoration to original specifications will probably cost more than the market value of a pristine example. The next owner could also take the restomod route and drop a modern crate Hemi under the hood. Is this Mopar worth saving?