BF Classified: 1952 Ford Customline Fordor

• Seller: David B rill (Contact)
• Location: Cheshire, Connecticut
• Mileage: 80,000 Shown
• Chassis #: B2SR125713
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 239 cui Flathead V8
• Transmission: Automatic

This 1952 Ford Customline Fordor presents exceptionally well and has a genuine claim to fame. It has won the National Champion trophy twice at the prestigious AACA Nationals. It is a turnkey proposition that has only covered 80,000 miles in the seventy-four years since it rolled off the showroom floor. The current owner purchased the Customline in 2024, but it spends most of its time tucked away in a warm garage. They feel that it deserves better and have decided to send this beauty to a new home with someone who will get it out to stretch its legs more often. Therefore, they have listed this fantastic Ford with us at Barn Finds Classifieds for $20,500.

Following the success of the “Shoebox,” Ford released a new model range in 1952. Available in three trim levels, the Customline sat in the middle. Ford offered the Customline in three body styles, with this classic’s first owner selecting a Fordor. They enjoyed the car as its creators intended, then treated it to a meticulous restoration in the 1980s. They massaged the panels until they were laser-straight, then applied a fresh coat of the original Glenmist Green. They ensured that the trim and glass were spotless, and entered it in the 1993 AACA Nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They left the show with the coveted National Champion Trophy before selling the car to its second owner. Another trip to the 2013 AACA Nationals brought a repeat performance, making this Customline a double National Champion. That owner parted with the Ford in the late 20-teens, and the car saw regular service until the seller purchased it in 2024. Because it isn’t a trailer queen, close inspection will reveal minor paint chips, but the overall presentation is well above average. The paint shines beautifully, the trim sparkles, and there is no rust. The glass is crystal clear, and the steel wheels, full wheel covers, and Firestone Gum Dipped Whitewalls provide the perfect finishing touch.

The underside shots prove that this Customline is more than a pretty face. You won’t find many classics of this vintage with floors and a frame that are this clean, with no evidence of existing or previous rust problems. There are a couple of tiny spots of dry surface corrosion that would be easy to treat if the buyer seeks spotless presentation.

Ford’s 1952 Sales Brochure stresses the improvements to its 239ci flathead V8. The gains would have been measurable, because while a driver had access to 100hp and 187 ft/lbs of torque in 1951, those figures climbed to 110hp and 194 ft/lbs in 1952. This Customline teams its original flathead with a Ford-O-Matic transmission, providing an effortless driving experience. The restoration included detailing the engine bay to within an inch of its life, and the spotless presentation doesn’t flatter to deceive. Pull the choke, twist the key, and the motor springs instantly to life. It runs beautifully, with no smoke or odd noises. This classic may not feature power assistance for the steering or the four-wheel drum brakes, but the steering feels light and tight, and the brakes stop the car straight and true. It drives as nicely as it did in 1952, and is a turnkey proposition.

The interior didn’t escape attention during the restoration. The first owner refreshed the painted surfaces and retrimmed the seats in luxurious Green Velveteen cloth. The remaining upholstered surfaces feature contrasting two-tone Green vinyl, while the headliner is Dark Green. Interiors are a great indicator of the life a classic has lived, because abuse and neglect reveal themselves in worn upholstery and other physical damage. This Customline has no such issues, because the interior is spotless. It also reflects the period’s standards, featuring a clock and a pushbutton radio. The latter is a correct valve radio, and once it warms up, which they traditionally take a few moments to do, it works perfectly. In fact, this beauty has no functional shortcomings, and the seller is happy to negotiate in-person inspections and additional photos or videos.

The seller admits that this 1952 Ford Customline Fordor isn’t perfect, but its condition is well beyond what you might typically expect from a classic of this vintage. It would command respect at any show, and couldn’t help but attract plenty of positive, admiring comments at a Cars & Coffee. It has two further strengths that make it worth more than a passing glance. The engineering is elegantly simple, giving enthusiasts who want to be hands-on the opportunity to do most routine maintenance in a home workshop. With four doors, it is also extremely practical, a genuine concern for enthusiasts with young families. Setting those thoughts aside, it’s a beautiful classic that lets the new owner relive a wonderful era in American history whenever they slip behind the wheel. If that sounds tempting, reaching out to the seller could make that vision a reality.