1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Convertible Is a Very Formal Shoebox

The 1949 Ford is one of the vehicles that revolutionized automobile design post-WW2. Unlike the old pre-WW2 cars, which had a rather bulky appearance, the 1949 Ford showcased a cleaner, more modern look with integrated fenders and a sleeker stance. I think it's the most beautiful vehicle of its era.

And that's precisely why I'm showing you this 1950 convertible, highlighted by YouTube's "Bobby Adams World." Not only is it a mostly stock classic, but it's also finished in black, arguably the greatest color for a "shoebox" Ford. The convertible body style makes it that much more appealing.

1950 was the second model year for the "shoebox" Ford. The company introduced minor changes that year, including a new crest badge instead of the "Ford" lettering. Ford also revised the trim nomenclature. The Standard model became the Deluxe, while the Custom was renamed the Custom Deluxe. This drop-top is a Custom Deluxe, meaning it's a range-topping model.

Ford also introduced the Crestliner, a premium variant of the two-door model. Aimed at the Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop, it featured two-tone paint and a vinyl roof. Finally, the two-door station wagon was renamed the Country Squire and received flat-folding rear seats.

Ford sold a whopping 1.2 million full-size cars in 1950, including about 821,000 Custom Deluxe models. Of these, exactly 50,299 were ordered as convertibles. Yes, this drop-top is far from rare by production numbers, but you won't see too many out there today. That's because the survival rate of early 1950s convertible is super low.

And while most survivors are in need of makeovers or fully blown restorations, this one's ready to hit any high-profile classic car event. The black paint is deep and shiny, while the two-tone interior is nearly flawless. You just don't find them like this anymore. Oh, and it also has a continental kit, one of the coolest features on a 1950s vehicle in my book.

What's going on under the hood, you ask? Well, the car still relies on the original 239-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) "Flathead" V8 (yes, it's quite an iconic mill). However, the powerplant is no longer stock. It has Offenhauser cylinder heads, an aluminum intake manifold, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, electric cooling fan, and Mallory spark plug wires.

There's no info on how much oomph hits the rear wheels through the three-speed manual transmission, but it likely generates a tad more than the stock 100 horsepower with all the upgrades.

If you fancy this lightly updated 1950 Ford, you can make it yours by winning the auction it’s offered through on Bring a Trailer. Bidding is at only $2,500 with four days to go, so it could end up being a bargain too.

According to classic.com, 1950 Fords change hands for an average of around $16,300 at public auction. A couple of stock and excellent-condition drop-tops have fetched over $50,000 in recent years.