1949 Ford Custom Series

1949 was a big year for the Ford Motor Company as they introduced their first new product line since the end of World War II. Ford offered two Series for 1949, a base and a Custom Series. Both were offered with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine. The base series was the base trim level while the Custom was the top trim level. Additions to the Custom series were additional chrome moldings, a horn ring, interior B pillars, and two sun visors. The Deluxe Series could also be purchased in convertible or station wagon body styles - in addition to the two- and four-door sedans, and club coupe. The base series had two- and four-door sedan, a club coupe, and a business coupe, with prices that began at $1,415 for the club coupe and rose to $1,470 for the six-cylinder sedan.

The six-cylinder Custom was priced from $1,510 to $2,120, and the eight-cylinder versions listed for $1,590 to $2,265. The two-door sedan and club coupe had a factory base price of just over $1,500, the four-door sedan at $1,560, the convertible at $1,890, and the station wagon at $2,120. The two-door sedan was the most popular with 433,316 examples built, followed by 248,176 examples of the four-door sedan. The club coupe was also very popular with 150,254 units built. 51,133 examples were convertibles and 31,412 were station wagons.

The L-head, 226 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block, four main bearings, a Holley one-barrel carburetor, a 6.6:1 compression ratio, and delivered 95 horsepower at 3,300 RPM. The L-head eight-cylinder engine displaced 239 CID, had three main bearings, a Holley two-barrel carburetor, and 100 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission with a semi-centrifugal-type clutch was standard, with a synchronizer on second and their gears. A three-speed automatic with overdrive was optional.

The 1949 Ford passenger cars had a 114-inch wheelbase and a length of 196.8-inches. The station wagons had an overall length of 208-inches.

The 914,291 examples of the 1949 Custom Series represented over eighty-one percent of Ford's total passenger vehicle production.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 98BA350442

The styling for the 1949 Ford Custom was all-new and primarily the work of George Walker, a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art. Assisting Walker was Richard Caleal, Robert Bourke and Bob Koto. The designs featured slab-sided bodies earning the cars the nickname 'shoe box Ford.'

The cars were available with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine. In the front was a spinner-style grille and a large central spinner ornament. Ford engineers gave the cars an updated chassis and suspension with longitudinal mounted springs.

There were 51,133 convertibles produced in 1949 on the Ford Custom line with the base price selling at $1,885.

In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $15,000 - $25,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $18,700, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

For 1949, the Fords were built on a 114-inch wheelbase and given a ladder frame supporting a front coil spring suspension with longitudinal semi-elliptical springs in the rear. To increase passenger legroom the engine was moved forward. The antiquated torque tube was replaced by a modern drive shaft. Power was still from either a 226 cubic-inch flathead six-cylinder or a flathead V8 displacing 239 cubic-inches. The 6-cylinder engine offered 90 horsepower while the V8 version boosted power to 100.

by Dan Vaughan

Station Wagon
Chassis number: 98BA-694803

Ford had their 1949 models in production and ready for the public by June 948, beating Chevrolet by six months and Plymouth by nine months. Ford was America's number on auto manufacturer, with a production increase of over 300 percent from 1948 and an extended 16-month selling period.

The 1949 models were nicknamed 'shoebox' fords due to their new slab-sided bodies with flush-mounted fenders. They were the most modern looking of the Big Three low-priced cars for 1949. In total, 31,412 were the new Ford wagon. It featured an all-steel structure that nearly stopped the typical squeaking and much of the wind noise associated with a wood-bodied car. The design featured bolt-on, replaceable wood panels. Up to this point in history, all Ford wagons used solid maple framing, but the 1949's framing was steel-covered, with paneling that was created by using the latest in electronic technology. The parts were created by using a microwave bonding process that squeezed a mixture of phenolic resin-coated wood pieces together to form a frame blank. The panels were crafted by a layer of maple over an inner layer of ash. The roof was also made from steel. Ford offered the wagon in its highly-priced Custom series, but only as a two-door from 1949 to 1951.

This example is painted Midland Maroon Metallic over a dark tan interior. The car was restored in Oklahoma approximately 15 years ago and has been in its current owner's collection for the last six years. Power is from a 226 cubic-inch overhead valve 'flathead' V-8 engine offering 100 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Station Wagon
Chassis number: 98BA333878

This 1949 Ford Woody Wagon is one of the last Ford's from the late Floyd Moore Private Museum Collection. It was given a restoration in the early 1990s by the second owner on a well preserved 'barn find' specimen. It has been meticulously maintained and lightly used since 1993 by the Moore family in northern Wisconsin, not far from the Iron Mountain, Michigan hardwood forest where Ford grew their own trees for use on their woodies.

The car is powered by a Flathead V8 engine and fitted with a three-speed transmission with overdrive. It has the correct Midland Maroon Metallic paint and original woodwork. Inside, there is a dark brown interior and 3 rows of seating. There are rubber floor mats and correct linoleum in the rear storage area. It has a rare rotating center headlight, spare tire cover, whitewall tires, radio, heater and clock.

by Dan Vaughan

Custom 6 Two-Door Sedan
Chassis number: 98HA136528

This Ford Custom has a 226 cubic-inch 6-cylinder engine with a manual transmission. It has an improved steering linkage, an upgraded master cylinder, upgraded disc brakes, and a 6-volt system. There is a new grey interior and new Meadow Green exterior. The car has been lowered and there are wide whitewall tires.

by Dan Vaughan

Custom 6 Sedan
Chassis number: 98HA29015

This 1949 Ford Custom Deluxe was a movie and TV car that was used for background scenes in Hail Caesar starring George Clooney and was the hero car for Jessica Lange's character in American Horror Story. It is powered by a 226 CID engine with 95 horsepower and a three-speed transmission. The car is wired for 12 volts. The trunk and interior had been upgraded.

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