Vehicle Description
Not only does this 1951 Ford Deluxe business coupe have a cool retro look, but it offers modern upgrades to make it a lot of fun to drive. A rather rare body style today, it embodies all that was great about the first all-new Fords following the war.
You can see immediately why the business coupe is special, particularly in profile, where its sleek three-box design was fairly ground-breaking in 1951. The redesigned Fords that hit the market in 1949 were a huge success, but it is this design that's the biggest hit with customizers. Fortunately, this one led an easy life and thanks to a lifetime in California, it looks pretty darned good today. Of course, super clean sheetmetal was only part of the equation, and the repaint shows clear reflections, critical when the body is relatively free of ornamentation like this one, and they wisely chose to keep many the original details intact. Bright Performance Red paint certainly helps with the eye appeal and this neat little Ford is anything but subtle. All the chrome trim was likely restored at the same time as the bodywork, including the clean, simple grille, cool side spears leading to the taillights, and the clean rear bumper. Modifications include shaved door handles, hood ornament, and trunk ornament, and tinted windows, just to make it look sleek. From any angle, this car looks fantastic.
The interior was given a makeover that respects the original design yet adds a few modern functional upgrades. Bench seats fore and aft are trimmed in gray tweed fabric, so it has a '50s sensibility that's still a little custom and very durable. Matching door panels are likewise pretty authentic and all the factory moldings and levers were retained. That cool three-spoke steering wheel is pure Ford performance cool and during the makeover, the dash was repainted gray to give it a monochromatic look. The big central gauge pod keeps its original instruments that look cool and include speed, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature, with the auxiliary dials under the dash to do the actual monitoring. An AM/FM/CD stereo has been hidden out of sight so the original in-dash radio can stay in place, and the A/C system was installed underneath in such a way as to look like it was born there. This car's original appeal was the massive trunk, and it is upholstered in matching gray carpets and includes a full-sized spare tire.
During the rebuild, the original flathead V8 was replaced with a 302 cubic inch V8, keeping this Ford 100% Blue Oval. With about 6000 miles on it, it was given a .030 overbore, fresh internals, an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carburetor, and a Pertronix electronic ignition and now makes perhaps twice the power of the original flathead. Beautiful matching red paint, finned valve covers, and lots of chrome dress up the very clean engine bay and the glasspack-equipped exhaust system has a familiar sound. The front suspension is stock and has been upgraded with disc brakes and a rebuilt Ford C4 3-speed automatic transmission makes for pretty effortless cruising. With a Maverick rear end and highway-friendly gears, it goes down the road without working very hard. 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels were fitted with blackwall radials which really give it a clean, modern look.
Nicely built and sensibly modified, this 100% Ford custom offers tradition and comfort in equal measure. Call today!
