When you think of grand touring cars, a 1949 Dodge Wayfarer probably doesn’t come to mind. In fact, hot rods and GT cars are generally two different animals: GT cars are all about long-distance comfort at high speeds, while hot rods are all about style and speed from stop light to stop light. If these sets ever intersected, Dan Zuccaro’s 1949 Dodge Wayfarer would be in that small area.
At first glance, the Wayfarer looks to big and heavy to be nimble, but then you find out it only weighs some 3,300 pounds. To put that in perspective, consider this: a new four-door VW GTI Autobahn weighs 3,113 pounds, so this car is just one adult male passenger away from the same weight. It was built in an era when manufacturers didn’t worry about things like high-strength steel, or side impact door beams, or even dual rear brake lights.
Under the hood lurks a 383 cubic inch small block Chevy, good for 425 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Zuccaro opted to cross brands since the Chevy motor was a good fit and has enormous aftermarket potential. Should he decide that 425 horsepower isn’t enough, more grunt is just a bolt-on blower kit away.
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The interior is mostly original, with the addition of modern amenities like air conditioning, cup holders and additional gauges to supplement the original art-deco ones. There’s no denying that the car has a certain presence and appeal, and it will certainly get you noticed even more than a worked Mustang or Camaro. It’s not for everyone’s taste, but we salute Zuccaro’s take on what makes a hot rod.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.