Before the ascendency of the tri-five “shoebox” Chevies as the hotrodder’s wheels of choice, there was another group of shoeboxes in the form of the ’49-’51 Fords. Though they preceded the Chevies by a few years, they were still very popular as hot-rodding/custom platforms right through the ’60s and into the early ’70s. For review, today, is just such a car, in convertible form no less, a ’51 Ford Custom that is harboring a bit of a surprise. This convertible, as found by Larry D, is located in Mount Union, Iowa and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $14,365. There is a make an offer option too.
The appearance of this convertible is pretty standard fare for the era, some of the badging has been removed (shaved?) and the grill has been altered with a custom horizontal bar. Beyond that, it’s pretty standard-looking. The probably not original finish is pretty faded but the body at least looks straight and mostly complete. The seller advises, “Some lower rust. Floors good. Frame is good“. The convertible top, sans rear window, is looking shaky but the scissor frame folds, and though power-operated, it is currently relegated to manual operation. It is claimed that this Ford has been sitting stored for decades and it looks like it judging from the dust. Regardless of top condition, it’s too bad it wasn’t parked with it in the up position, it’s easier on the interior that way.
Back to that surprise matter. Usually, a ’51 Ford will have a ginned-up flathead with some level of modification – there seems to be little to no limit as to what can be applied to that most venerable of Ford engines. Nope, the deal here is a Y-block, believed to be a 312 CI V8 (the seller doesn’t know with certainty) topped with triple carburetors. I don’t know all of the modification particulars of these shoebox Fords so I cannot say if this was a typical engine swap – regardless, it’s a nice substitution. It is stated as a non-runner that will turnover. It looks as if it has been silent a long, long time. A three-speed manual transmission is tethered to the back end of the engine.
Other than the “seen everywhere” three-spoke steering wheel, the interior shows as the original. I call it a “seen everywhere” item because they were years ago. They were inexpensive, easy to swap, and gave a car’s innards a little more pizazz. I think I had at least two for my mid-sixties Chevies. The upholstery is so-so as the front bench bottom is looking pretty weathered but the door panels look fine. It’s hard to get a good look at the floors – the mat has definitely deteriorated but the question remains as to what’s under it.
The seller suggests, “Good car to build…Great restoration or restomod project“. That may be the case, but the question for me is whether or not there is still interest in a Ford of this era. Sure, it’s a convertible, with an interesting choice of engine, but will that be enough to draw interest? I’m hedging on that thought, what do you think?
I’d make this run and stop, throw a blanket over the seat and cruise it.
Very cool and the mill swap is the icing on the cake. I’m not a fan of Y-blocks but I would make this run to the best of my ability and leave the rest, Like Grant said. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
A very tasty mild custom, like it has been said, make it safe and drive it. It needs nothing else.
A very tasty mild custom. As has been said, make it safe and drive it. It needs nothing else.
I had a 56′ Crown Victoria with a 312 and swore I would never own another Ford. But now is Ford’s time, love my Fusion.
When I was in school in the late ’60s, I think every high school had at least one ’49 to ’53 Ford in the parking lot.
I just missed I had a 55 custom-line.
Not to be picky, but the Tri 5’s Chevies were not referred to as “Shoeboxes.”. The ’49-’51 Fords are referred to as “Shoebox Fords”, Unless I have been misled my whole life, which I guess is possible.
I prefer the ’49 to the ’51 Shoebox but macht nicht.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/so-what-is-a-shoebox.157182/
I’ll have to disagree with your Chevy comment. I knew them as shoeboxes long before I heard the term applied to ’49-’51 Fords.
JO
JO-
Live and learn . I never ever heard the term “shoebox” applied to Tri 5,s . Very odd. I see some commenters on Hokey Ass agree with me and some with you. So apparently some of us know one thing and others another….figures right?! Oh well
Growing up in the 50’s I remember car folks talking about the “shoe box” Fords… and at the time they were talking about the 49-51 Fords. This was before the Chev’s in question came out.
But I guess it all depends on where in the USA that you were brought up or who was involved in exposing you to the “car life”.
54 chevy grill pieces…cool car
Back in the day removing the emblems from the hood and trunk lid was called “nosed and decked” where I came from. In high school, I had a ’50 Ford flathead V8/3 speed with overdrive. That thing was amazingly reliable. And, old tech or not, that flathead with manual choke would start in the cold New England winters when a number of my friends with brand new cars with automatic chokes wouldn’t (taking off the air cleaner and putting your hand over the carb and choking it manually would usually work if it wasn’t flooded). Replaced the ’50 with a ’59 Fairlane 500 with the 292/3 speed. Was never as reliable as the flathead and didn’t sound nearly as nice.
Back in the day removing the emblems from the hood and trunk lid was called “nosed and decked” where I came from. In high school, I had a ’50 Ford flathead V8/3 speed with overdrive. That thing was amazingly reliable. And, old tech or not, that flathead with manual choke would start in the cold New England winters when a number of my friends with brand new cars with automatic chokes wouldn’t (taking off the air cleaner and putting your hand over the carb and choking it manually would usually work if it wasn’t flooded). Replaced the ’50 with a ’59 Fairlane 500 with the 292/3 speed. Was never as reliable as the flathead and didn’t sound nearly as nice.
Sorry about the double post. Either I or my network is really slow today.
I’m certainly not a fan of the Y block. But love the old flat heads. There always was plenty of aftermarket stuff that you could do to a flat head to make it perform better.
One of my best buddies had a ’50 Ford convertible, we all loved that car… but it WAS a rag when he got it. Someone had to stand on the back seat and help lift the top up while another guy was pushing the “up button” on the dash, or it just would not move. Paint had all worn off (was a dark blue when new), windows were cracked and did not fit the top well, but the radio worked very well which was mandatory for us high schoolers. That was in the 60’s of course. BUT the little flat head NEVER let us down! It always started, and sounded great, seemed like it would run forever. FUN times!
In high school I had a ’50 Mainliner, 2 door, long trunk, nosed and decked, dual carbs and headers with glasspacks. It was black had dual antennas and moon spinner hubcaps with fender skirts. I bought it for $200 with 50K miles on it, this was in 1956 my first car. I was 16, It lasted till there was over 90K miles on the odometer.I still love that car. Shaun Silverio
This is just cool!! The grill is worth the price of admission!!