1949 Ford

The 1949 models debuted at a gala at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in June 1948, with a carousel of the new Fords complemented by a revolving demonstration of the new chassis. The new integrated steel structure was advertised as a "lifeguard body", and even the woody wagon was steel at heart. The convertible frame had an "X member" for structural rigidity.

From a customer's perspective, the old Custom, De Luxe, and Super De Luxe lines were replaced by new Standard and Custom trims and the cars gained a modern look with completely integrated rear fenders and just a hint of a fender in front. This way, Ford was the first of the Big Three automotive concerns to introduce all-new postwar popular model, beating Chevrolet by six months and Plymouth by nine months, and in addition, presenting the most modern-looking car of them.[5] The new styling approach was also evident in the 1949 Mercury Eight and the all-new Lincoln Cosmopolitan. The styling was influential on many European manufacturers, such as Mercedes Benz, Borgward, Austin, Volvo and many others. The all new 1949 Ford was said at the time to be the car that saved the Ford Corporation. Competition from GMH was surpassing the Old Ford designs. In some ways the vehicle was rushed into production, particularly the door mechanism design. It was said that the doors could fling open on corners. In the 1950 model there were some 10 changes in the door latching mechanism alone.

The car was met with a success and as a result, Ford sold 1,118,740 cars of 1949 model, taking the first place among American manufacurers, although an extended 16-month model year contributed to it.[5]

• 
  1949 Ford Custom Club Coupe
• 
  Ford 472 BWJ.jpg

1950 saw a new Crestliner "sports sedan"—a 2-door sedan with 2-tone paint intended to battle Chevrolet's popular hardtop coupe of 1950.[6] Another new name was Country Squire, which referred to the 2-door wood-sided station wagon. All wagons received flat-folding middle seats at mid-year, an innovation that would reappear in the minivans of the 1990s. The 1949 and 1950 styling was similar, with a single central "bullet" in the frowning chrome grille.[7] In the center there was a red space that had either a 6 or 8 depending if the car had the six-cylinder engine or the V8.[2] The trim lines were renamed as well, with "Standard" becoming "Deluxe" and "Custom" renamed "Custom Deluxe". The new Fords got the now-famous "Ford Crest" which appeared on the division's vehicles for many decades in one form or another. A Deluxe Business Coupe was also marketed.[8]

• 
  1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Fordor Sedan
• 
  1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Fordor Sedan
• 
  1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Convertible
• 
  1950 Ford Country Squire

The 1951 Fords featured an optional Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission for the first time (starting in November of 1950.)[9] Ford finally answered the Chevrolet Bel Air and Plymouth Belvedere charge with the Victoria hardtop in 1951, borrowing the term from the victoria carriage. The car was an instant hit, outselling the Chevrolet by nearly 10%. The Crestliner continued for one more year, however. All 1951 Fords sported a new "dual-bullet" grille and heavy chrome bumpers. This year Ford also added a new "turn-key" ignition.[10] Front suspension is independent coil springs.[11] Head room was 36.1 inches.[12]

• 
  1951 Ford Custom Tudor Sedan
• 
  1951 Ford Victoria
• 
  1951 Ford Country Squire

The 1949, '50 and '51 V8 models were also produced in Australia, offered in 4-door sedan and as a 2-door coupe utility body styles.[1] The coupe utility was a uniquely Australian variant, developed by Ford Australia. Australian content on the locally produced models had reached 80% by 1950.[1]

• 
  1949 Ford Coupe Utility
• 
  1951 Ford Coupe Utility

• Ford Zephyr Mark I
• Ford Taunus P1
• Standard 10
• Ford Forty-Nine