Vehicle Description
1951 Ford Custom Deluxe
For Ford's first introduction after WW2 they rolled out the
commonly referred to shoebox design, a slab sided, pontooned car
with its frowning chrome grille with the single bullet and Ford
crest, which would appear throughout the 1950's on numerous Fords.
Their new streamlined design with its integrated fenders and more
would usher in the modern streamlined design and beat the other
"Big Two" to the punch. This would help satisfy the voracious
appetite for something new in the post war recovering country and
make Ford a wildly profitable company.
Approaching this car it's difficult not to be taken in by its sleek
design, beautiful paint, and overall good looks. This 1951 4 door
has top notch metalwork, with few imperfections visible anywhere. A
beautiful interior, and very smooth-running Flathead V8, this is a
standout in our halls, and is priced right to move out of said
halls...quickly!
Exterior
Bathed in traditional black paint, these rounded fenders, roofline,
and chromed grille, all present very well. Just a few small spots
of some bubbling but none larger than 1/8 inch to be seen. Chrome
is near perfect, and upfront we catch the mini dagmar equipped
grille surrounded by extra chrome on the guarded bumper. The design
flows to the fenders with chrome bezel single headlights within
rounded integrated fenders where the beginnings of a trim spear are
seen down low behind the snazzy gravel shield just behind the front
wheel well. From here the spear flows rearward below the belt line,
and above are nice handles, a round side view mirror and locks for
the doors fully functioning. Another set of doors are aft, and then
we move rearward to the rounded rear fenders with a small bump out
which eventually ends in the horizontal opposing oval taillights.
These lenses are set into wrap around chrome bezels that flow to a
point mid rear quarter panel. Below is another fine guarded bumper,
and on the big round trunk lid is another Ford crest with more
chrome trimmings and the meeting point of the trim spear. The roof
is near perfect and surrounding the confines of the passenger
compartment are chrome trimmed windows in keeping with the aero
design. Ford badged wheel covers are wrapped by wide whites on all
4 corners and have red painted steel wheels peeking out from
underneath the covers.
Interior
Very soft plush light gray broadcloth with some buttons and light
and dark gray piping is abundant on the front and rear benches.
Door panels are a mix of a silver steel upper sill, light gray seat
matching broadcloth, dark gray broadcloth and slightly darker gray
vinyl, shiny handles and cranks. Feasting our eyes on the
beautifully restored metal dash it keeps all its original charm
with a single round gauge in front of the original steering wheel
fashioned from bakelite and on a simple metal column. Plenty of
knobs and pulls made from more bakelite in black are fashioned with
center aluminum mesh inserts. This mesh runs across 2/3rds of the
dash and also holds the clock, AM radio, a gold Custom badge in
your grandmother's script and a Ford crest. Our consignor notes
that the factory AM radio has been updated during the redux and now
operates without the nuisance of tubes. Below the dash next to the
steering wheel on the left is a nicely restored temp/fan controller
and the actuator pull for the overdrive unit and to the right is a
NOS tissue dispenser in chrome. Beautiful black carpet floods the
floors, and above is a lightly sagging light gray felt
headliner.
Drivetrain
A lift of the Ford crested hood, and we have revealed to us a
rebuilt 239ci Flathead V8. The block is showing well in a copper
finish and is topped by a single 2-barrel carburetor, and on back
an original to this car 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
which pushes power rearward to the 3.73 geared rear axle. Looking
good under the hood with an aluminum radiator on to keep things
cool and an optional windshield washer bottle for keeping the glass
clean.
Undercarriage
Showing almost no surface rust, just clean black paint and
undercoating, the frame and flooring remains solid. The rockers
appear new as well and we note a few repairs done to the floor
panels. New springs both front and rear for the independent coil
sprung front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension provide the
ride. Keeping things nice and tight are new king pins, shocks, and
A-frame bushings. Drum brakes are seen all around with new linings
and drums, and we note new dual exhaust with Cherrybomb
mufflers.
Drive-Ability
Simply put, a pleasure to drive, it fired right up with little
coaxing, but had a noticeable tap in the engine when cold that
disappeared once warmed up. This old cruiser ran like a dream
through our test track with smooth acceleration, bias free braking
that worked very well, and good handling for a turn of the 5th
decade car. All functions were working, and the plush cloth seats
were very comfortable.
A wonderful restoration of the 1951 4 door from Ford. A walk around
and you too will be impressed with its beautiful paint, wonderful
interior, and drivetrain that is all buttoned up. Start re-enjoying
Sunday drives to car shows, where you can turn heads, win awards,
and just have a great time hanging out with the like-minded.
VIN DECODE
B1AT149318
B-239ci V8
1-1951
AT-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
149318-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
