If you happened to stroll into the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in June of 1948, you may have been among the earliest to lay eyes on the first all new car from the American Big Three since the end of World War II. The 1949 Ford design completely changed the way automakers designed cars around the world, as it ushered in an era of integrated fenders and flat sides. A hit with consumers, Ford built their basic transportation as sedans, wagons, convertibles and coupes, such as this V8 example found on Craigslist in Northern Alabama, for what appears to be a deal at just $3,500.
The 1949 Ford for sale in this ad is said to be a complete car that includes its V8 and 3 speed transmission. Unfortunately, the seller mentions that they purchased it a few years ago and heard that it ran a few years before that… so there’s really no telling what condition the motor and the rest of the mechanicals are truly in, especially without any pictures.
As with any project of this caliber, you can expect to complete rebuilds or replacements of components in the brake, fuel, electrical systems, as well as any rubber belts and hoses. If you’re handy and need to get this thing into driveable shape to at least move it around as you work on it, the owner is throwing in a running flat six, but it is doubtful any new owner would want to leave that engine under the hood for too long, if at all.
From what can be seen of the interior, it looks to be in decent shape, though it is a full of miscellaneous parts that the seller says don’t come with the vehicle. Underneath it all are floors that appear to be too rusty to save, but a better view may prove otherwise. A decent cleaning could save much of what’s there, giving you a survivor grade interior that would cruise nicely after taking care of the rust issues.
The 1949 Ford remains popular with hot rodders and it would be unsurprising to see this one put on that path. But for such a complete car and at the right price, this one could be a quality candidate for restoration. If you were to bring this one home to your garage, what would you do with it?
