One of the most enjoyable avenues in the classic car scene is buying a model that is not highly desirable and driving the wheels off without worrying about devaluing a more expensive model. The 49-51 shoebox Ford is a perfect example of this type of car. Base models are relatively cheap, plenty of parts are available, and you can design and build your car in numerous different styles and still fit it into many different sub-categories within the classic car community. This 4-door 1950 sedan is a perfect gateway into this idea. It is listed for only $1,750.00 here on craigslist, with offers being accepted. Thank you to reader Zappenduster for sending in this tip!
The 1949 Ford ushered in a new era of cars in the USA. It was the first American car to feature slab sides and do away with bolted-on fenders, which led to the moniker “shoebox.” Whether or not you prefer the curvaceous lines of the pre-war cars to the slab sides of the shoebox, the importance of these models is still felt today as vehicles are still being manufactured with this design. These cars also ushered in the optimism of the post-war boom found in the car designs of the early 1950s, cementing their status as one of the most important American cars.
Looking at the ad for this car may not lead you to believe this is a good deal, and an argument can be made to stay away from this ride. But when you take a closer look, this car has many things going for it that may cause you to pull out your trailer and drive up to Colorado to pick it up. The surface rust on the body is not a big deal; wipe on some of Vice Grip Garage’s Shine Juice, and it will be a cool patina ride. The listing states that the engine is locked up, but that’s no biggie; just hit your stash up for a small block to drop in and cruise with some reliability. But the real value lies in that this appears to be a complete car, so you won’t have to dig up many parts.
Full disclosure: I love shoeboxes. They are my favorite American post-war car, and I have my father-in-law’s ’49 more-door sedan sitting in my garage as we speak. This car has brought our family innumerable happy memories and much joy. So, I tend to look at these cars through rose-colored glasses. But that being said, I can confidently say that these are fun, reliable, and affordable classic cars that you can enjoy yourself and, more importantly, let others enjoy without worrying about someone breathing on your Ferrari. Some of the best memories from our shoebox are of my father-in-law letting small children climb all over his rig and seeing their joy about playing in an “old car.” Those smiles are priceless, and I hope they sparked more classic car fans. We need them!
Must admit I was not familiar with these but I kind of like it. Cheap enough if you live reasonably close. Unfortunately, I do not. It would be a bit of a hot rod if it were mine and it would stand out.
This would seem to be a lot of work for very little effect. I’ll pass.
“Some of the best memories from our shoebox are of my father-in-law letting small children climb all over his rig and seeing their joy about playing in an “old car.” Those smiles are priceless, and I hope they sparked more classic car fans. We need them!”
That about sums it up!
Agreed! Thanks for reading, ccrvtt!
This is going to be a labor of love restoring this, from the excessive “patina” to the very lean-burning flathead. I think the best course of action would be a drive train transplant, fix the rust-caused leaks and just drive the thing. I’d like to be seen in this!
Clear coat it!
My father’s first car, the Fordor. I have the original bill of sale. He paid extra for a heater and a windshield wiper.
https://imgur.com/vz1HWuc
Let’s see, four-door – Check. Six Cylinder – Check. Excessive surface rust may be hiding significant structural rust – Check. Will cost ten times to restore than what ultimate value will be – check! Gee, it checks all the boxes, I’m surprised no one hasn’t snapped it up yet!
I grew up riding in a 2 door Shoebox! Yes, many great memories and I really want to restore one of these. But first I need to clear out some room and finish a few earlier projects before I go to the better half and ask for a special depensation for a yet another piece of yard art!
I might have a couple dry Montana 2 doors for sale this coming summer. Liquidating a field of 1940’s and 50 cars.
Do have any post WW II straight eight Buicks?
I’m ok with the shoebox Fords. They were ahead of their competitors in terms of the new body design that would become the norm. So they deserve preservation IMO. I think that if you can’t “unlock” the engine then this becomes a parts car. Just the cost to get it back on the road will cost more than you paid for it. And that assumes you go full Derek Bieri.
I had a 49 version with the flat V-8 that looked a lot better than this that I sold for $500, but then the buyer stopped payment on the check when he discovered that he might need to rebuild the engine. He knew it was stuck when he bought it but said that the engine is why he bought it. So, I got everything back and sold the car and engine separately for about the same money. The person who later bought the engine called and thanked me. He took it apart and was able to use most all for a good running engine. That was about 30 some years ago. Times change. I still have some of the accessories from that engine. I need to unload a lot of Early Ford car and truck parts from late 40’s to early 50’s. Too much to haul to markets.
There was a 1950 Ford Custom Deluxe that sold on Hemmings on Jan 6, 2025. It had a flattie and overdrive and looked great. It had videos and under side pictures and sold for $6400 including fees.
Yes, it was a red one and was a good deal I thought too, much better than one that needs much more. Hemmings does come out with some surprises at times like that one. Often cars are overpriced. The 4 doors and manual trans have affected the sale likely. But a deal to us old times.
Four doors? An I-6? Standard gearbox? What’s wrong with this picture?
Back then– and I remember it well– those specifications fit the cars in nearly every driveway. Yes, there was Fluid Drive, Hydramatic and Dynaflow, but drivers licenses were issued in nearly every state by testing in a manual box car or else you’d get one marked something to the effect of not being valid for manual transmission!
Very few cars then could lay rubber even with the skinny tire patches we had so we learned to “think” while we drove and to adjust our driving to the extant conditions whether it’s pulling out into traffic or passing on a two lane road. We paid our money, had our wheels and we took our chances. It’s called survival of the fittest. Sad to say but it culled the herd, so to speak.
As for the ’49 Ford being the first slab-sided design, consider the prior designs from Crosley and Kaiser-Frazer.
‘Nuff said, ole man! Go take a nap.”
Will, I think picture #8 in the CraigsList ad shows the dashboard with three handles to the left of the steering wheel: One is the hood release, one is the parking brake, and the third one is the overdrive handle (pulled out). The chrome ring states “OVERDRIVE”.
I completely missed this! This feature alone makes this price well worth it
My grandmother and mother each had a “51 Tudor with the 6 cylinder and standard trans. About the same time, a bought a ’50 Coupe with flathead V-8 and standard and a friend of my mother’s had a lovely black ’50 convertible with V-8, standard trans and red leatherette interior. I loved them all!
My sedans were all Mercuries about 6 of them…and one Lincoln from the ’49 – ’51 years. All were V8 standards except the Lincoln. Never owned a shoe box but came close a couple of times. All the flathead Fords were great cars.