Unfortunately, the modern world has mostly forgotten about this iconic classic car. So if you’re looking to get caught up on the history of Ford, or trying to learn more about your favorite hot rod, here are 10 things everyone forgot about the 1949 Ford Custom.
10 – The Ford Custom Was Produced From 1949 To 1951
The 1949 Ford Custom wasn’t just produced in 1949 but until 1951. It wasn’t uncommon for many car makes to just be named by their model year, even if there were no major changes from one year to the next. So when one refers to the 1949 Ford, they’re likely referring to all three years of its production.
The 1949 Ford saved the Ford Motor Company, which is probably why Ford sold the car for three years with little to no changes. The old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” must have been believed at Ford
9 – The Ford Custom Featured The First Ford Automatic Transmission
One of the greatest advancements in cars throughout the 1940s and early 1950s is the automatic transmission. The Ford-O-Matic was the first automatic transmission used by Ford and was first featured on the 1951 Ford Custom.
Early automatic transmissions lagged behind their manual counterparts, but some of the components and engineering found in the Ford-O-Matic are still used today. So you can thank the 1949 Ford for the ridiculously fast cars with automatics today.
8 – The Ford Custom Used A Flathead V8
Most people associate the Flathead V8 with the Ford cars of the 1930s; or with the getaway cars of Bonnie and Clyde. The Flathead was still used postwar though, being found under the hood of the 1949 Ford for all three production years.
The Flathead V8 in the 1951 Ford makes 100 horsepower – not too shabby for 1940s standards. Ford finally upgraded to an overhead-valve design in 1954, keeping the Flathead in production for over 20 years.
7 – The Ford Custom Was The First New Car Post WW2
When America entered World War II in 1941, car manufacturers repurposed their factories to build bombers, tanks, and firearms for the war effort. Ford specifically built bombers and Jeeps throughout World War II.
When the car was over manufacturers picked up where they left off, building models from the 1941 model year. Ford became the first American manufacturer to produce a lineup post-war; building coupes, wagons, convertibles, and sedans of the 1949 Ford model