Ford was one of the first U.S. automakers to release a whole new line of cars after World War II. The 1946-48 editions were largely warmed-over pre-war automobiles, but the cars were redesigned in 1949 to help meet the pent-up demand that existed. The vehicles were little changed in 1950 and 1951, including the seller’s Custom Tudor (the latter being Ford’s way of saying a 2-door sedan). It was in hibernation for 35 years but is running again though some cosmetic and more mechanical attention will be needed.
With the 1949 model introduction, Ford got a jump on Chevy and Plymouth by several months. The cars came in two trim levels, Standard and Custom, but were mechanically similar. These transports would become known as the “Shoebox Fords” for their slab-sided styling. Gone was any reference to running boards and the fenders and rear quarters were now all in one-straight line. A 226 cubic inch inline-6 was standard and the 239 “flathead” V8 was optional, like in the seller’s car which also has overdrive with the manual transmission (an automatic was still years away).
Why this Custom was kept out of the public eye since the 1980s isn’t mentioned. But it runs again thanks to a new gas tank, fuel pump, starter, tune-up, and other assorted parts and pieces. Nothing is said about the tires, so perhaps they’re as hard as rocks and the seller does say to bring a trailer to fetch this Ford home. A water pump and a carburetor rebuild are on the open to-do list.
There is some rust in the lower body panels, but the seller says the doors and floors are solid and all the glass is good. We’re told this Ford is 100% complete and has never been molested. Considering the investment that has been made to get the car operable again, the $4,700 asking price sounds attractive. At 73,000 miles, this Custom Tudor is in Antioch, Illinois, and is available here on craigslist. Is anyone up for a good Shoebox project, a tip brought to us by Tony Primo?
Love this cruiser, all I’d do is do a full Flathead mechanical rebuild, paint engine and under hood, replace the interior with all new, nice set of old school red hotrod rims and tires, keep it clean and drive as is.
My first car was a 1950 Ford 4-door which I bought in ’65 at the age of 15 for $10.00!! Convinced my Dad to tow it home since it wasn’t running and with the help of books from the Library had it up and running to take my driver’s license test in it. Paint, rims, etc. and sold it for about $150.00. That started my love of working on cars and selling them to move on to the next one. Unfortunately, age and sky high budget makes it pretty much impossible these days :-{
$4700 buck these days doesn’t get much in the old car department. If you look on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace people want 2 grand for for rusty hulks that have been sitting in the woods for 40 years. A running, driving 2 door, with a V-8 and a stick without big gaping holes in it is a bargain. It’s going to be a project, but most car guys can do a lot themselves and are pretty resourceful. You could have fun with this and not spend your whole 401K.
Just two nits to pick: Automatics came the very next year and Ford called the two trim levels Deluxe and Custom Deluxe. OK, nits are picked and I’ll go back to sleep now..
I remember Ford offering an automatic in 1951, but I hadn’t heard about the different trim levels. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Friend in high school got a bright red with white interior ’49 convertible for a graduation present from his dad. It might have been old but it was the best looking car in town.
Ford mightve got the jump on GM and the boys over at Dodge but Studebaker got the jump on all 3 by 2 years.
This would be fun just to get it running and driving cruise around for a year or two as you pile up parts for the restoration and A added bonus is the 3on the tree anti theft transmission
I like these shoe boxes , have had a couple, so always look when one is available. I think the price is about right and if you’re careful you could have a nice car for the time and money.
The 1949 Ford was inspired by a 1946 design proposal for Studebaker’s 1950 Commander.
Growing up , my best friend had a 50 ford with an olds j2 engine . it was a blast. He also had a 54 ford with a 390 and two 4s. He would tell me to go to town and take the 50 ford or he’d say take the 54. no matter which one i took he would say i told you to take the other car. to a 16 year old that sounds the same 50 ford or 54. Good memories
this is near where “classics” end for me. Just nother yr or 2 & then on back to late 30s.
This one – just B4 the ‘bulgem0biles’ of the rest of the decade (tri5 fits in there). Still very much in the shoe box ford or ponton (C the MB of this later name) post war era (ford beat cheb by 6 mo w/it & plymouth by 9). I’ve heard ‘slab sided’ to describe but us shade tree mechanics still find enuff rounded bodylines to find it hard bein the body work-guy.
I had a 49 Fordor about 30 years ago in about this condition, sold it for $500 when I discovered the cost of the interior restoration! Okay, not a Tudor, but still, better to buy one for twice the money or more to save money.