Vehicle Description
1949 Ford Custom Convertible
1949 was an important year for Ford in that for the first time, a
new design was set forward following World War II. Notably, the
"pontoon" style, (sometimes called ponton), was in vogue,
consisting of straight slab side body panels and doing away with
articulated fenders and running boards of previous models.
For consignment, a 1949 Ford Custom convertible that's been nosed,
decked, shaved, frenched, stretched, lowered, and fitted with parts
from other cars to make a completely custom, one off version of a
classic convertible. It looks good, and drives well having been
driven to the Traditional Custom Car Show in Indianapolis four
times!
Exterior
Let's start with the borrowed parts. The grille is from a 1954
Chevy and has extra teeth, the tail lights are off of a 1954
Mercury, the side trim is from a Buick, and the wheel covers are
off a Cadillac. Johnny Cash could write a song about this one! The
primary color is red with a white belly under the Buick trim piece
and a continental kit rides on the back. Trim has been removed from
the hood but in its place is some pinstriping on the front edge and
on the fender tops. The chrome bumpers look great as does the
bright work, including the spotlights which happen to be dummies.
Rear quarter panels have been stretched and custom fender skirts
cover the rear wheels, emphasizing the shoulder line of the car
which drops slightly from front to rear. Sport side mirrors add a
streamline feature and the door handles have been shaved. The white
canvas power soft top meets the windshield frame and hovers low,
adding to the sleek profile of this big car. Imperfections included
some cracking near a front wheel opening, a paint "run" in the
white section down low on the body, and some imprecise gaps.
Interior
Red and white dominate the inside too and start with vinyl clad
door panels in classic smooth and stitched panels of alternating
color and a body colored metal crown. Front bucket seats are based
in white with stitched red inserts, white buttons, and red piping
and this pattern is carried over to the rear bench seat, all
looking to be in fine condition. A red Lecarra 4 spoke steering
wheel, darkened with usage, is presented to the driver on a bright
red tilt column which leads directly to a shiny red dashboard.
Pinstriping and metal accents adorn the dash which houses the
speedometer front and center. In the center of the dash we find a
clock and an AM/FM radio just above a custom center console where
standard AutoMeter gauges and a Sun tachometer are embedded. A
horseshoe style shifter is floor mounted while the rest of the
floor is covered in plush, high pile red carpet. This carpet can
also be found lining the trunk along with a stitch vinyl sidewall
and spare cover replete with white buttons. The battery resides in
the trunk as well.
Drivetrain
A 350ci V8 engine is under the hood topped with a 4-barrel Holley
carburetor on an Edelbrock intake manifold. A TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission handles the mobility and sends power to the
10-bolt rear axle. Power drum brakes are found at all four wheels,
and power steering is supplied to the steering wheels. Appearance
wise, the engine bay looks pretty standard, clean but not as showy
as the exterior and interior. But as we know from the consignor,
this car is a runner! And probably stays cool with the electric fan
that's been added.
Undercarriage
Clean driver quality underneath with surface rust in some spots
including around frame welds. Dual exhaust travels from the engine
into a pair of Cherrybomb mufflers and then makes a beeline for the
back where two huge tips stretch beyond the rear bumper. Coil
springs handle the front independent suspension while leaf springs
take on the back. We note some oil on the flywheel cover but the
pan looks dry.
Drive-Ability
We hop in the lead sled and roll her out onto the test loop, the
350 singing through the Cherrybombs in a distant song coming from
the tailpipes in the next county! It's a big car, comfortable and
manageable as we make our way to and from the garage. The 350 might
not spin the tires, but it's got enough grunt to move the car
confidently down the straight away and the power brakes come in
handy around turns. You're looking over a long hood and have a lot
of real estate in the back too, so we're mindful of turn ins.
Everything works fine with the exception of the horn, the clock,
and the driver's door popper.
If you're looking for a one of a kind big bodied hot rod, this is
it! Unique modifications render a big presence and plenty of room
for the family, and their luggage! Johnny Cash said it best.
"You'll know it's me when I come through your town, I'm gonna ride
around in style, I'm gonna drive everybody wild, Cause I'll have
the only one there is around.".
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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