1949' Ford Custom

1949 Ford Custom The 1949 Ford Custom V8 (exc. Sedans) should be a Milestone car because of its adroit styling - albeit in part the work of moonlighting Studebaker people - and traditional V8 performance (the engine was much improved this year, though the horsepower rating didnt change). Can you imagine how great it must have felt in 49 to go for a summer evening drive in this Ford? Actually, Id feel pretty incredible going for a ride in it today! Dont get me wrong, back when it was new it would have been a wee bit nicer and cleaner. But it would not have the years of nostalgia attached to it along with the technology of the day to tinker with. A 49 Ford Custom ripe for the picking. Exterior Not unlike those old pairs of shoes you just cannot throw away because they still are comfortable to walk around in, this old Custom Coupe is well worn, but you just cannot put it down. Certainly, with its red exterior slab sided steel which has a wonderful patina, along with rounded fenders which become more integrated into the overall body with each passing version, big chrome and jet age front grille, it can run and drive just fine with all tight 1949 patina. The coming jet age front grille has the centrally located jet turbine smack dab in the center of the grille, and frames the bulbous hood, and side single headlight fenders. Chrome is nicely preserved and still shines brightly. On the steel slab sides is a trim spear which runs from the doors rearward to the oval tail light rear. A split front windshield backs up from the rounded long and large hood. Shiny lake pipes are mounted to the rockers, and wide whites wrap deep edge trimmed dog dish styled shiny wheel coverings. Adding some extra interest, old school painted flourish pinstripes adorn the car at the edges and in the trunk center. As for extra chrome bling, have a gander at the A pillar mounted rear view mirrors and the spotlights on either front quarter. Interior Silver painted sills frame the top of the red vinyl door panels with gray tuck and roll inserts for the centers and more red vinyl below. This carries through to the seats which are a split back bench for the front to allow access to the back, and these vinyl couches have red vinyl bolsters and gray tuck and roll inserts, and are in very good condition, for the front and rear. A full metal jacket silver dash in its original spear configuration has some rounded instrumentation, plenty of shiny pulls, and a big white bakelite steering wheel fronting it. Beautiful deep maroon carpeting floods the floors and above is a faded and slightly water stained creme cloth headliner. Drivetrain Surprisingly clean for the overall condition, a 239ci V8 Flathead engine is under the hood. This has dual 1-barrel chromed carburetors on top, a 3-speed manual transmission complete with overdrive, and a 4.101 rear axle. Hoses are like new, and the engine looks in good condition. The heads are painted maroon which goes nicely with the remainder of the polished bolt ons. Undercarriage Slight surface rust is noted in the framing but otherwise rust free floor pans and body hangers. Some invasive rust has taken over on the rockers on the inside panels. Dual cherry bomb style exhaust is now on for the exhale and provides some music for the motorheads ears. Independent coil spring front suspension, and leaf springs provide the ride for the rear. Drum brakes are seen on all 4 corners. Drive-Ability All was working just swimmingly for the test drive, and it took me back to 1949 where I felt like a million bucks! A nicely aged example, wonderful patina, a strong mill, and snappy interior along with some recently replaced parts like new king pins, steering linkage, gas tank heater core, starter, solenoid and battery, now all good to go and in old school style. Bring on the trim spears! VIN DECODE 98HA130141 98HA-Ford 6 Cylinder 130141-Sequential Unit Number