THE WAR YEARS

In the 1940s, American industry turned from consumer to defense production. Chrysler participated in may defense projects, most notably production of the 32-ton Sherman M4 tank. Chrysler produced 18,000 Sherman tanks, the main combat vehicle of the U.S. and its Allies in World War II. Approximately 500,000 Dodge trucks were also produced for the war. By 1945, Chrysler supplied more than $3.4 billion in military equipment to the Allied forces.

After the war, Chrysler responded to the need for increased car and truck production by building or buying 11 plants between 1947 and 1950. In the 1940s, Chrysler introduced the Town & Country sedans and convertibles and began limited production of its first hardtop convertible in 1946. In 1951, Chrysler introduced the first production power steering vehicle. Their first key-operated ignition and safety-cushioned dash were other Chrysler innovations of the early '50s, as well as the Torsion-Aire suspension system in 1957.

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