Vehicle Description
Credited as the car that saved Ford, the post-war "shoebox" models
were one of the first truly modern cars. With integrated styling
and a rounded, aerodynamic look, they remain popular with
collectors and customizers alike.
This 1950 tudor sedan is what you got when you walked into your
Ford dealer looking for either the most basic transportation
available or the hottest car on the road or both. The tudor sedan
was externally identical to a four-door sedan, except there were no
rear doors, although you can clearly see where they would have
been. The 2-door "post" body style was inexpensive and durable, so
it was a favorite of hot-rodders and always looks great in light
colors. The silver-gray paint looks period appropriate and gives
the car an upscale look that's extremely appealing, and we've
always liked the way chrome trim pops against silver paint like
this. Sheetmetal is in good shape with no rust or evidence of
previous damage, and there's a genuine honesty to a bone-stock old
Ford with no liberties taken with its look. Even all the chrome is
intact and shines up well. Accessory fender skirts make it look
longer and lower, but aside from the dual exhaust tips poking out
from under the rear bumper, it looks very much the way it would
have in 1950.
The interior has been given a similar makeover, looking stock at a
glance but showing a few clever modifications that improve comfort
and make this Ford stand out. The gray upholstery is very much like
what it would have used originally, particularly the striped fabric
on the seating surfaces. Custom door panels were created to tie it
together and the light gray carpets on the floors keep it bright.
Instrumentation is simple, with a big speedometer with the
auxiliary gauges around its perimeter and augmented today by a pair
of modern gauges down under the dash. You'll also spot a modern A/C
system tucked under the dash, an addition that makes this
smooth-running Ford an awesome cruiser that's especially
well-suited to road trips. This Ford is also nicely optioned with a
radio (now a modern AM/FM/cassette unit), heater/defroster, and a
clock, all of which were still optional in 1950. The spacious trunk
still carries a correct rubber mat as well as a full-sized spare
with jack assembly.
The real reason this car is so popular, however, is the sparkling
flathead V8 under the hood. Fans of the flathead claim that even
the bad ones are good and the good ones are great, and the
copper-colored 239 cubic inch unit here certainly lives up to the
hype. It starts easily, idles almost silently, and makes all the
right sounds when you romp on the throttle. Sure, the modern A/C
compressor and 12-volt alternator dominate the top side, but they
do nothing to change the bubbly, enthusiastic nature of the Ford
flathead. They took few other liberties with the mechanicals and it
remains pretty much as intended right down to the oil bath air
cleaner and 2-barrel carburetor. It's backed by a 3-speed manual
transmission with overdrive and well-spaced ratios, and is
perfectly happy to cruise all day at 60 MPH. It tracks straight,
rides smoothly thanks to relatively recent tube shocks, and the
purring dual exhaust with glasspack mufflers gives it a fantastic
'50s sound. For comfort, it wears 205/75/15 whitewall radials,
perhaps the only visible part of the car that isn't from the
'50s.
Take this clean 1950 Ford home and discover the car that led the
way into the future. Call now!