John Lennon, the former Beatle, world renowned recording artist and world peace activist, once owned a famous psychedelicly painted Rolls-Royce Phantom, an Austin Princess, an Austin Maxi, a Mini Cooper S, a Mercedes Benz 230 SL and a bright blue Ferrari 330 GT.
While living in New York City John and Yoko also owned this anonymous looking green 1972 Chrysler Town & Country Station Wagon.
John and Yoko affectionately named their car “The Dragon Wagon” or “The Green Dragon”.
It was said to be John’s favorite because of its modesty and practicality, allowing him to travel through life unrecognized.
Photography by Harold Montgomery
Apple Records ordered the wagon for the couple directly from Chrysler, custom built with faux wood trim delete, air suspension and hand picked Amber Sherwood Metallic paint, the same green hue it wears today. After rolling off the assembly line the wagon was unbelievably flown to New York in a privately chartered jet.
Lennon and his family relied on this car for grocery runs and daily travel, including bringing John’s many guitars back and forth to NYC recording session and rides between their Manhattan apartment, Long Island house and Pennsylvania farm.
The Chrysler was also taken on cross country trips to Los Angeles and San Francisco where they visited a Chinese acupuncturist who helped the couple stop using heroin and according to Lennon’s own statements, introduced them to a macrobiotic diet that made it possible for Yoko to get pregnant.
By 1978, the Town & Country was so worn from daily use that the Lennon’s personal assistant recommended they purchase a new car. This time Yoko selected a1979 Mercedes Benz W123 300 Turbo Diesel Estate Wagon. The green Chrysler was put into storage shorty after John’s death.
The wagon’s next owner was an infamous New York Psychic who purchased it at a Southeby’s auction in 1996.
The car was subsequently parked and used in seances where he attempted to channel lyrics for a posthumous Lennon album through the spirits of deceased husbands of rich, elderly, New York widows. Unforseen tax issues forced the psychic to sell the wagon.
The current owners purchased the Chrysler at auction at Braswell Galleries in Norwalk, Connecticut on January 1st, 2011.
They haven’t managed to channel Lennon yet, but the car has an endearing way of playing his music almost every time it’s taken out for a ride… coincidence?
The car looked like a time capsule, preserved exactly as it was when the Lennon’s parked it for the last time back in 1980. Some of the items found inside included their Mayfair parking sticker, New York State registration, vintage 8-tracks, and a set of original manuals.
Ashtrays were packed with L&M cigarette butts and matchbooks, and other personal items were found wedged under the seats.
A set of original bald tires were even stacked in the back along with the can of fix-a-flat Frederic Seaman mentioned in his memoirs.
The car now presents as it was during the Lennon’s eight years of use from 1972-1980, complete with dents, rust, scratches and imperfections. All mechanical and cosmetic work has been performed with care and an eye towards originality and honoring Lennon’s memory.
Climbing into the back seat feels like you’re about to take a ride with John Lennon. Imagine the song ideas that ran through his mind and the inspiration he found traveling through life in this unique wagon.
“The Chrysler was from a period when Lennon was trying to live a simpler life, relatively speaking. He owned the T&C longer than any other car, which definitely says something.”
— Jonathan Moore, Speedhunters
