In 1950 Ford introduced a new trim level to their lineup. It was meant to compete with Chevy’s new Bel Air and since Ford didn’t have the time to create a whole new car, they just had to update what they already had. So they slapped some new trim on their Custom Deluxe, added a unique two tone paint job, installed a vinyl top and called it the Crestliner Sport Sedan. It was really just a stopgap until the Victoria hit the market in ’51, so production was limited to just 1950. Seeing as it was purely cosmetic, it isn’t too hard to install the trim on a 2 door Custom Sedan, which is exactly what we have here. The seller’s father is a long time Ford collector and while restoring this Custom, decided to make it a Crestliner, so it was given a correct two tone paint job and all the correct trim was installed. It might not be a factory Crestliner, but no one would ever know seeing it on the street. You can find this clean Ford here on eBay in Thousand Oaks, California with a BIN of $9,700.
The Shoebox Fords, as these have come to be known, easily make it onto the list of America’s most iconic cars. The design is easily recognized by purists and hot rodders alike. Given the unique looks of the Crestliner, I’m actually surprised there aren’t more clones floating around. I imagine finding all the correct trim is difficult and expensive though, so that could explain it. Does anyone know if they are reproducing this trim or would you have to find a donor car to make a proper clone like this?
I know this car isn’t a survivor or even a real Crestliner, but it looks to be in amazing shape and these are just really cool cars. The 1950s were an interesting time in automotive history and while the Shoebox Fords are extremely well know, you don’t often hear about the Crestliner Sport Sedan! I’m not sure what makes these cars more sporty than their siblings, but the flathead V8 and 3 speed was quite sporty for the time.
What a great looking design and lovely car! I wouldn’t mind hitting the road in this one. I’ll admit though, I’d be happy to just own a base model ’50 with the flathead and the 3 speed. The two tone paint is cool and the trim really gives it a unique look, but the base car is good looking no matter what trim you slap on it. So how do you feel about this Crestliner clone? The asking price seems about right for a Custom Deluxe sedan, so would you leave it as is or would you rather have it in its original trim?
I’m digging the amber light in the middle of the bumper! You don’t see that too often unless you are into Tuckers.
Hi Rock On, I believe that center grill fog light turned with the front tires on some cars. I remember a kit you could buy for that. http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/03/CC-84-132-800.jpg
Dump the Olds aftermarket spinners and the C’kit, put a decent couple of colors on it and you would have something.
Nice car I’d just do the needed repaired repairs and drive it on nice days.
The Crestliner was also available in 1951 as well as 1950. It was in addition to the Victoria. Actually the trim on this clone is from a 1951 which differed from the 1950 trim.
Bob is correct ,the Crestliner was also available in ’51 . A friend had a ‘ 51 four door ,light grey and red with the Crestliner trim . I was not a Ford guy in those days , but it was pretty sharp .
It’s not original, but it is a cool 1950 Ford custom that looks really good.
No, I wouldn’t want those 2-tone colors or the spinner hubcaps on my current daily driver, but on this car they look right. So do the continental kit, the tail lights with the blue centers, the small diameter duals, the wide whitewalls, and the sunvisor. I remember seeing most of those things on some of my buddies’ cars back in the day. Lots of guys at my high school put some of those things on their cars.
For me this car is long on both cool and history.
Is it just me, or is there something going on with the driver side rocker? It looks like it’s either scraped badly or has bondo.
J,
I think what you’re seeing is the debris on the street reflecting in the paint on the rocker.
Interesting, but I’d take a clean shoebox first. Some of the Crestliner bits compete with the simplicity of the original car, such as the lower front fender trim that practically covers the front door cut.
I remember these when I was a kid, I didn’t care too much for them then, and I still have the same opinion, but you have to give an A for effort. I don’t ever remember one as a four door. Do remember the third headlight accessory, very radical for 1950.
I was raised in the back seat of one – It was a blah grey and I thought it was ugly when i was 2 or 3. It hasn’t grown on me yet – and we are the same age which is another reason. I’m looking for young chicks – lol.
This is just lovely! But I do not believe it is what has become known as a “shoe box.” I believe it is a Tudor Custom. See the size of the rear side windows? Compare them with those of a Club Coupe of the same year (which I believe is what has become known as a shoe box). Here’s one that was featured on your site in May, 2015: http://barnfinds.com/family-shoebox-1950-ford-custom-deluxe/ But maybe I’m wrong. No matter, I love this car!
Shoe box is a term given to all models of the 1949 to 1951 year Fords. Not just the club coupe.
Had a ’49 and ’50. Brother had two ’51 Vickie’s. Loved the flat-heads. We would hunt Junk yards for a wrecked crestliner to get the 4 spoke steering wheel and put it in our ’49’s or ’50’s.
Guess I’d “leave” this one. May be interesting to others as noted by the comments. My first car was a “plain jane” ’50 two door in that pale green they had. Flatty V8 & 3 on the tree. Tan cloth interior. Bought it for all of $100.00 when I was 12 and my Dad taught me “backyard” auto repairs on it. We had a lift so the engine was pulled and he showed me how to do one thing and I had to do the rest. Repaired or replaced everything on that car. When it was done I got to drive it around in our yard or over in the steel mills where he worked. Not legal at all, but I had learned to drive at age 9 on his brothers farm driving a tractor. Best time of my childhood, by far.