[speede5]

A 1949 Ford Coupe has caught my eye. Has anyone on here restored one and what should I look out for. Body looks solid with 'Usual rocker, front floor and body support rust issues'. I was reading a bit about them and they were not well liked back in the day, sounds like they were a pretty crappy car which Ford really improved for model year 50. I would be changing the front suspension, so I don't care about the stock issues there, and the frame can be beefed up. I like the size and with a 5.0 mustang drivetrain it would probably be a fun little car. Any thoughts?

[BlenderFreak777]

I like it, even if it is a ford...sorry, Get it! that thing would look nice, if you like lowered it or something, get the front chromed and paint it red...can you see it? lol i can...

[old fords]

If the price is good, I'd say go for it

[OneMoreTime]

If the price suits you..looks good to me and they were popular back in the day...The custom low-rider guys liked them with the fuzzy dice and fender skirts..lowered in the rear..curtains in the windows..Dual antennas..chrome spot lites..Yeah we did some strange things back then..

Can't forget the raccoon tails on the antennas either..Red and white tuck and roll or crushed velour button tuft interior..

Sam

[woodz428]

I'm not sure where you heard/read that they weren't very popular...they have been popular as far back as I can remember, at least into the 50s. They were the first"integrated body" without a distinct separate fender and body. I have built a couple and there are plenty of parts available for restoration and upgrading...more are always being released. I think there have been quite a few new upgrade pieces added since the last one I did a couple years ago.They are the same basic body until '51, I believe.

[speede5]

I read a blurb about them and it said there were a lot of issues with the 49 that were fixed in the 50 model year. Poor suspension, weak frame. Nothing that would really affect a custom as the body is the same and most pf the underside gets upgrades. I really am keen on the body style.

[matt167]

to my knowladge, they are the same car except subtle diffrences like the grilles, or.. viewed from the side and you can't see the grille.. '49's have gas caps where as '50-up has fuel doors

[trees]

Restoring and Street Rodding are apples and oranges. The Shoebox Fords make for nice rods and there are lots of repro parts available to help you along the way. My Bud had a 51 Business coupe that was restored but we then installed a Plain Jane 302 with a late model 3 speed overdrive and it became a very nice driver, even with the original front and rear suspensions.

As Woods28 said, they were a very popular car back when they were rolling off the show room floor. For the Big Three, they were the hottest thing going with their improved 110 HP flat heads and independent front suspension and lowered center of gravity.

Go for it!!

Trees