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1951 Ford Custom Deluxe

The Ford Motor Company invested $72 million and 10 million man-hours to develop the new Ford following World War II. By the close of 1949, it had earned the company $177 million in profits and help outsell Chevrolet by 100,000 vehicles. The 1950 Fords had similar appearances to the 1949 Fords, although they came with over 50 improvements. These changes included a recessed filler cap, a new hood ornament, button door handles, a three-blade radiator fan, lower parking lights in wraparound chrome housings, a Ford crest to replace the block Ford letters, more durable seat foam, and better-quality fabrics.

Ford models for 1951 included the base trim level 'Deluxe Series' with power from either an inline-six or a V8 engine. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, and a business coupe. The top trim level was the 'Custom Deluxe Series', also with six- and eight-cylinder power, with body styles that included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a Club Coupe, and an 8-passenger station wagon. It came with extra chrome around the window moldings, chrome horn ring, and chrome strips along the lower half of the body. Additional luxury items included two sun visors, armrests on the doors, and a strap to help passengers enter and exit the vehicles. Pricing began at just over $1,500 for the six-cylinder club coupe and 2-door sedan and rose to just over $2,000 for the six-cylinder station wagon. The V8 engine added about $100 more. Buyers who selected the V8 engine, could also purchase a 2-door Crestliner and a Convertible.

The 239 cubic-inch V8 delivered 100 horsepower. The L-head 226 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine offered 95 horsepower. Both were backed by a standard three-speed manual transmission with a semi-centrifugal-type clutch. An option three-speed manual gearbox with automatic overdrive was available for an additional fee. The optional Fordomatic Drive was a three-speed torque converter automobile, developed in conjunction with Borg-Warner, and was rather advanced for its era. It was a true three-speed that did not use the lowest gear ratio unless manually selected. In 'Drive' position, only the top two gears came into play.

The Custom DeLuxe proved more popular than the Deluxe Series. A total of 388,368 examples of the Deluxe were built compared to 818,371 of the Custom Deluxe.

Most of the 1951 Fords were given a new dashboard with a key-turn starter start to the left of the steering wheel. The mechanicals was similar to the previous years, with several hyperbolic names to describe some of the equipment. The list included the 'Equa-flow' cooling, 'Rota-quiet' valves, 'Silent-spin' three-blade fan, but these were actually ordinary technology.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Country Squire Woodie Wagon

The Ford Country Squire was produced only as a two door, eight passenger car with Woodie trim. This example is outfitted with a 239 cubic-inch L-Head eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 100 horsepower. It has a three-speed helical gear set and synchronizer manual gearbox.

For 1951, the Country Squire was the second lowest produced vehicle in the Ford Model Lineup with only 3.7 percent of the sales. This means they are highly collectible in modern times.

Woodies require extra care and attention as they are more susceptible to the elements. Their wood bodies often rot, warp, or become a meal for termites.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Victoria Hardtop

Ford's first two-door hardtop - the 1951 Victoria - was said to be one of the most well-proportioned cars ever to come off the Dearborn assembly lines - and it proved its popularity by outselling Chevrolet's Bel Air by nearly 7,000 during its introductory year.

Even though the 1951 models shared body components with the 1949-1950 models, there were a few trim changes that substantially set the models apart. The most noticeable exterior change was the replacement of the single large spinner on the horizontal bar of the grill with two smaller spinners. Inside, the 1951 model featured a completely redesigned instrument panel which grouped all of the instruments in front of the driver.

The Victoria was powered by Ford's 239 cubic-inch V-8 engine that produced 100 horsepower. While equipped with a standard three-speed transmission, Ford's newly introduced two-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission was optional for an additional $159 beyond the base cost of $1,925.

V-8 Sedan

At first glance, the 1951 Ford appears identical to its 1949-50 counterparts - the 'shoebox' Ford that was credited with saving Ford Motor Company.

Several key trim changes made for a significant change in appearance in 1951. In the front grille, two smaller spinners replaced a large spinner from 1949-50 and the taillights and license plate holders were redesigned. In addition, the instrument panel was all new for 1951.

Also new for 1951 was the Fordamatic transmission, key start, an 'automatic posture control' front seat and a counter-balance trunk lid. Under the hood was the legendary Ford V-8 flathead that developed 100 horsepower.

This car was built in Ford's Dallas plant and sold new in New Mexico, where it was acquired by the current owner.

V-8 Convertible
Chassis number: B1AT146666

After the Second World War, Ford found itself with mounting debt as the new Ford cost the company $72 million in investment and 10 million man-hours. However, by the close of 1949, the new model had earned the company $177 million in profit and had outsold Chevrolet by 100,000 vehicles. In the first three days of its announcement, a record 28.2 million people visited Ford dealer showrooms to check out the new model.

The 1950 Ford models had a similar appearance to the 1949 Fords, but received over 50 improvements that year. Minor changes included a new hood ornament, button door handles, recessed filler cap, a three-blade radiator fan, a Ford crest to replace the block Ford letters, more durable seat foam, lower parking lights in wraparound chrome housings, and better-quality fabrics.

For 1951, all Ford convertibles were powered by the 239 cubic-inch flathead V8 fitted with a Holley two-barrel carburetor and offering 100 horsepower. The engine, too, had been improved with the help of a new composite timing gear, revised pistons, a new crankshaft, and the fitting of rubber O-ring seals.

The current owner of this particular example acquired it from collector Dennis Carpenter. It has a rebuilt, correct V8 engine and a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. It has many options and accessories including a factory AM radio, a heater, rocker moldings, rear fender skirts, and a spotlight. The interior has been restored using correct LeBaron-Bonney leather materials, and the top was redone with Haartz cloth.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Convertible
Chassis number: B1LB119381
Engine number: 0476H51-119381

Ford introduced their new-for-1951 models to the public on November 2nd of 1950. The design, attributed to George Walker, featured a new 'Dual Spinner' grille with a new center bar and two smaller spinners. A Ford-O-Matic transmission was offered, the company's first automatic transmission. Another introduction was the Victoria, its first hardtop coupe body style.

This particular Deluxe Convertible is finished in Coral Flame Red over a tan interior. This color was only available to the convertibles for 1951. It has been apart of the Don Gibson collection since 1979. In 1988, it was awarded a Dearborn Award from the Early Ford V-8 Club of America, scoring a total of 987 points out of 1,000 for its restoration.

Since the car was given the restoration, it has been driven 2,400 miles.

This convertible is equipped with the optional heater and defroster, clock, radio, rear fender skirts, and whitewall tires. Power is from a 100 horsepower flathead V8 engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Crestliner
Chassis number: 0470CH51-41981

The 1951 Ford Crestliner was a variation of the Tudor sedan and available in four special paint colors. The interior featured specific artificial leather and craftcord seating. They had two-tone paint with a black or brown insert, special wheel covers, ribbed rear fender skirts, a vinyl roof, and exclusive side trim. V8 engines were standard in all Crestliners.

Just 8,703 examples of the Crestliner were built for the shortened model year.

This particular example wears the new-for-1951 color of Hawaiian Bronze with a Dark Brown insert. It has been a part of the Don Gibson collection since 1998. In 2003 it was the recipient of a Dearborn Award from the Early Ford V-8 Club of America.

This Crestliner has been given a restoration and been driven 777 miles since the work was completed. It has a flathead V8 engine, a three-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive, clock, and radio.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Victoria Hardtop
Chassis number: B1SP126695

The Ford Victoria Model 60 hardtop coupe arrived mid-winter 1950, two years behind General Motors and one year behind Chrysler. Production began the first week of February 1951 and 110,286 examples were sold.

The Victoria was an all-new body with styling by Auburn designer Gordon Buehrig. Engineers and designers from Ford and Wettlaufer Engineering Corporation collaborated on the car but were unable to complete it in time for the standard model introduction. The late introduction, however, was rewarded with headlines and publicity.

Power was from a 100 horsepower flathead V8 engine.

This particular example is Penrod Tan with Dune Beige interior. It has the flathead engine, a three-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive, and has traveled 388 miles since a comprehensive and authentic restoration to original condition was completed. It was an Early Ford V-8 Club of America Dearborn Award winner in 2008, scoring a perfect 1,000 points out of a possible 1,000.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Convertible
Chassis number: B1DA182829

Seven body styles were offered in the Custom V8 series with 793,763 built total and 40,934 of those were convertibles. This particular example has been restored and is a former AACA National First Prize (Junior) winner in Gainesville, Florida. Power is from the 239 cubic-inch, flathead V8 engine offering 100 horsepower and mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It is finished in the uncommon Casino Cream paint scheme with a tan convertible power-operated top. It has rear fender skirts, heater/defroster, clock, bright-work and trim elements, AM radio, color-keyed steel wheels with center caps and trim rings, and Firestone wide whitewall tires.

In 2018 the car was offered for sale at the Hollywood Wheels 'Amelia Island Select' auction where it had a pre-estimated value of $40,000 – $50,000.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Convertible
Chassis number: B1EG113558

This Ford Custom DeLuxe V-8 Convertible is finished in Coral Flame unique to this body style. It was acquired from a museum several years ago by Mr. Jack Dunning. After the acquisition, the engine was rebuilt by the late John Forsythe at Fremont Auto Parts in Fremont, Ohio, while his own shop rebuilt the transmission and clutch and fitted an overdrive. The interior was reupholstered with LeBaron-Bonney materials and the top was replaced. The front seats are leather and the rear seats vinyl, in similar fashion to how the factory did it in 1951. The car has been rewired and the power top works properly.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Country Squire Woodie Wagon
Chassis number: B1SP139823

This 1951 Ford Country Squire Woody Wagon is powered by a Ford 239 cubic-inch Flathead V8 engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. It is finished in Hawthorne Green with redone chrome trim over brown interior, with a natural wood exterior. There is a custom surfboard rack, power options and sound system, wooden dash with in-dash clock and radio, Fenton exhaust headers leading into a dual 2-inch exhaust with cross-over, Smitty's glasspack mufflers, and Jamco coil springs and torsion bars. There are Teflon lined rear leaf springs, oil bath type air filter, and black steel wheels with chrome trim and whitewall tires.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Convertible
Chassis number: B1CS146161

This 1951 Ford Custom Convertible is powered by a 239 cubic-inch Flathead engine. It wears an older restoration with a new interior, a new convertible top, and many other new items.

by Dan Vaughan

V-8 Country Squire Woodie Wagon
Chassis number: B1LB123145

This restored 1951 Ford Country Squire Wood Wagon is powered by a 239 cubic-inch Flathead V8 engine paired with a three-speed manual gearbox with overdrive. It wears a new green paint exterior and the exterior wood panels have been redone by Rick Mack of Van Nuys, California. The interior has also been updated with new brown vinyl upholstery, new carpets, and new wiring. The brakes are new, the chrome has been restored, and there are Coker wide whitewall tires.

by Dan Vaughan

World War II put automobile production on hold. Production ceased on February 10, 1942, and resumed in 1946. When production began, most vehicles offered by marques were basically carried over from pre-War development. It was not until 1949 until Ford began offering new designs. They featured simple lines that were clean and well-integrated into the body. In the front was a dramatic and artful bullet nosed grille.

The Custom Deluxe Series was introduced in 1950 and would continue for a total of two years. The Custom Deluxe Crestliner two-door sedan was Ford's top-of-the-line offering and included chrome window moldings, chrome horn rings, armrests on all doors, and two sun visors. Needless to say, there was chrome at nearly every available location. Two engines were available, a six- and eight-cylinder unit. The L-head six-cylinder unit produced 95 horsepower while the L-head V8 produced 100 horsepower. The standard gearbox was a three-speed manual; an optional three-speed manual with automatic overdrive was optional

The cars rested on a 114-inch wheelbase and passenger cars measured 196.6 inches. Station wagons were slightly larger, measuring 206 inches.

The Crestliner was a two-door special sedan that had a vinyl top covering. There was extra chrome, special steering wheel, full wheel covers and special paint.

by Dan Vaughan

The Ford Customline was produced from 1952 through 1956. It was a model placed between the Mainline and the Crestline and was available with either a six or eight-cylinder engine. The three-speed manual gearbox was standard with the automatic unit offered as optional equipment.

by Dan Vaughan