After World War II, automakers largely worked to shift from producing munitions and military vehicles back to cars. It took a couple of years to re-establish auto production. Cars from 1946 through about 1948 were, for the most part, barely updated versions of pre-war designs. Meanwhile, Ford had idiosyncratic issues. Edsel Ford died in 1943, and Henry Ford died in 1947, leaving the company’s management on shifting ground. So the 1949 production year marked a watershed. It was Ford’s first post-war design and the first post-Henry, Ford. Streamlining was all the rage – with car bodies far more rounded than in pre-war years. Ford’s interpretation of the design trend of the day is well expressed in the 1949 Ford Custom Tudor sedan, here on eBay, for sale with a bid of $4,495, reserve met. This project is located in Wheaton, Minnesota. We have Larry D. to thank for this tip!
Designer George Walker created a lower, longer line with slab sides that completely removed running boards. The hood, while still large by today’s standards, was shorter than previous models. The aerodynamic look was new to the market and earned it the nickname “shoebox”. The bullet-nose front end was adorned with the motor insignia – either a “6” for the inline six-cylinder or an “8” for Ford’s venerable V8. Unfortunately, this seller managed to provide no photos of the front straight-on, and in fact, almost all the photos are posted sideways or upside down. Hm. The seller does confess the body has some rust in the driver’s rocker, and a “light” dent on the driver’s fender – entailing an “easy fix” which of course always makes me wonder: then why don’t you fix it?
The motor is the optional 239 cu. in. flathead V8 making about 100 bhp (standard equipment was the 226 cu. in. in-line six). This car comes with a three-speed manual column shift with an overdrive. The seller indicates that the driveline has been rebuilt, and the car has new tires and Baby Moon hubcaps. Sadly, this car is being sold by the owner due to dementia, but we are told that it was originally purchased from the shop that did the driveline rebuild. It had been used for pleasure driving and parades before falling into disuse recently.
The interior needs work. I think that’s a bathmat on the floor; there are no carpets with the car. The seller emphasizes the “rat rod” possibilities of this car – but it’s a little too ratty for me. These cars look stunning when restored, but I can understand taking the low-investment path of clear coating the exterior, cleaning up the engine bay and maybe spending a few bucks on the interior. What do you think?
Visually the shoebox Fords have always appealed to me, mechanically not so much.
I bought one with a rebuilt drivetrain in 1980, drove it to work for a couple of years, had no problems. The overdrive wiring wasn’t hooked up & I didn’t know how to properly, so I just put the overdrive on a house wall switch & mounted it on the left lower dash, turned it on after 2nd wound up, wound it up again, turned it off & shifted into 3rd at the same time, wound it up & hit the switch again, then buried the 100 mph needle! So got 5 speeds out of it, it was a fun ride!
Ford introduced one of the best looking cars of the post war era in ’49 and then started piling on extra chrome and changing lights through ’52. they could have left the ’49s alone and done just as well. Would like to see the end result of this car’s restoration.
Chop it 4″ in front, 6″ in the rear and eliminate the B pillar to make it a hardtop. Lower the rear 4″, flush mount the fender skirts, nose and deck it with rounded hood/door and trunk corners, frenched headlights and taillights using 51 lenses. Candy green with a two tone light/dark green interior. Do a detailed engine compartment, candy green motor, aluminum heads, headers, three carbs on a aluminum intake, glass pack mufflers, flame throwers and some wide whites to finish it off.
Gary, will it still be a Ford once that’s all done? Seriously, that’s a lot of work for one machine! By chance, are you a fabricator?
Merely…
Excellent conservation.
I particularly prefer a slight dent to an “easy fix” so I know the size of the problem.
Thunder road moonrunner.
I like this model a lot for its simplicity. But hard not to see it in black and white with a gumball on the roof.
I can only think of positive comments for this car. Funny thing when you ask old-timers (even older than me) they say don’t get a 49, too many issues, get a 50 there a better car. I like the 49 the best. A number of years ago, I had a 51 as a daily driver. Maybe, if it was 49 I would still have it. If the price stays close to where it is now, some one is going to get a very cool car.
My favorite of the three years has always been the ’50. That’s partly because my dad owned two ’50s over the years. It’s also because the ’50 had better build quality than the ’49, and I like the single bullet grille and push button starter that weren’t still around on the ’51.
Gary’s comment would make a neat custom ride out of this one. Put a decent paint job on it and enjoy!
I like Gary’s idea. that and add a custom paint job on it would make a neat custom out of this one.
Too ratty? Nevaaahh!
A little work and beg Jay Leno for a job and you’ll be all set.
My father had ’50 2dr like this one, but with a six. He bought it in ’53 from my uncle (his brother in law). They decided to let my grandmother (my uncle’s and my mom’s mom) set the price. $300.00 bucks, I heard my uncle was a little upset, it only had 10,000 miles on it, but my grandmother told him to shut it, he didn’t need the money but his sister and new husband needed a car. My father said by 1957 it was so rusty my mother wouldn’t let him go faster than 50 mph.
Ford was a pioneer in a lot of things throughout their history, including as mentioned, the first car without running boards and pronounced fenders. This must’ve looked wild to people when new.
I would just clean it up, make any repairs and drive. But, clear coating patina is such a no no. It gives it a bizarre, shiny look, kid of negating the point of leaving it as is. I believe linseed oil is used sometimes, but I think I’d just deep clean it as best as possible and leave it.