Vehicle Description
This 1953 Ford Customline sedan represents the end of the line for
the venerable flathead V8, but Ford seems to have saved the best
for last. This is an attractive car that drives beautifully, and
proves once again that flathead Fords remain special vehicles that
everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives. And at this
price, there's really nothing stopping you from making this your
next favorite toy.
Restored sometime in its past, this is a very stock Ford. With so
many becoming customs with chopped tops and suspension-dragging
lowering jobs, this 4-door sedan has a refreshing honesty about it.
The black paint is an older respray but presents very well on the
curvy '50s Ford bodywork. It's not perfect, but why would you want
it to be? Instead, it has a clean look that looks like it's always
ready to have fun and you can happily take this car anywhere
because it fits right in regardless of the situation. The
sheetmetal reflects nicely and gaps are good, suggesting that this
car was never wrecked or seriously rusty. There's plenty of
original brightwork to make it seem upscale, including a handsome
grille that recalls the "bulletnose" Fords of just a few years
earlier. The stainless side trim is in decent shape, the heavy
chrome bumpers look big enough to go through a brick wall, and the
round taillights are arguably the beginning of Ford's fascination
with jets. It just looks great.
The multi-colored upholstery uses comfortable fabric and vinyl to
reproduce the '50s look. Dark green carpets are a tasteful contrast
that works rather well with the black bodywork and the low-gloss
gray dash top and garnish moldings are handsome as well as
functional. The simple instrument panel is a crescent of gauges
atop a half-circle of speedometer, all surrounded by a big, black
steering wheel. Ford had only just begun to offer an automatic
transmission, and the 3-speed automatic transmission below is
selected with a column shifter that works just fine here. The
secondary controls are arrayed to either side of the main
instrument pod, with a separate clock molded into the top of the
dash. Underneath the clock you'll find the original AM radio, which
remarkably enough is still operational. A spacious back seat looks
inviting for two and the big trunk will easily carry all your
luggage and includes a carpeted mat and spare whitewall bias-ply
tire, just in case.
In 1953, the venerable Ford flathead V8 had grown to 239 cubic
inches, which helped bolster torque output. It's easy to recognize
wearing red engine enamel, which offers a great contrast to all the
black under the hood. A correct oil bath air cleaner up top,
reproduction hoses, a newer fuel pump, and a proper six-volt
generator all make the driving experience very authentic today. It
starts easily and runs so smoothly you almost can't feel it idling
and the custom exhaust system with an original-style muffler has a
traditional "flatty" sound that will bring back memories of your
youth. The undercarriage is properly finished in satin black, so
it's durable but doesn't hide anything, and the stock suspension
really does ride and handle very nicely. Road manners are quite
good, assisted by a set of 6.70-15 bias-ply tires wrapped around
factory steel wheels that are adorned with shiny hub caps.
No surprises, just a clean, honest flathead Ford. If you've never
owned one, you don't know what you're missing and if you're already
one of the faithful, this is a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy an old
favorite. Call today!
