Vehicle Description
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 didn't change).
Can you imagine how great it must have felt in '49 to go for a
summer evening drive in this Ford? Actually, I'd feel pretty
incredible going for a ride in it today! Don't 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 door's
rearward to the oval taillight 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 motorhead's
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
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
