The year 1949 marked an important milestone in the history of the Ford Motor Company: the old, warmed-over prewar offerings were finally replaced by a newly designed lineup. These instantly popular 1949-'51 models are known today as the "Shoebox" Fords, due to their sleek envelope bodies that did away with separate fenders. Right from the start, the Shoebox Fords were a hit with hot rodders and customizers alike. A flathead-powered '49-'51 was the epitome of a late-model rod, until rival Chevrolet introduced its 1955 V-8.
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Traditionalists remained loyal to the venerable "Flattie." In the words of Fred Offenhauser: "There are street rods and there are hot rods. Street rods have a Chevy up front and a can of wax in the back. Hot rods have a flathead up front and tools in the back."
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The 1951 Ford Custom Deluxe Club Coupe presented here, VIN *B1RH104237*, one of 53,263 manufactured for the model year, is an exceptionally well executed example of the rare breed of traditional Hot Rods.
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A California resident all its life, it was owned for more than 40 years by a hop-up enthusiast from the San Joaquin Valley, a hotbed of rodding, and only recently put up for sale due to the owner's advancing age. Its current state of evolution dates back to 1969, and very few parts of this car are of newer vintage. Though not driven regularly for many years, the Ford was started frequently and the tags kept current until 2003. All we had to do after receiving this unique survivor was cleaning the fuel system, installing a fresh battery and a new condenser, and she purred like a kitten once again! |
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To this day, the Ford is licensed to a matching set of correct, black-and-gold 1951 California license plates. And, yes, the license plate light works!
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Accompanying documents include various receipts as well as a spec sheet, providing additional insight into the Ford's interesting history.
Let's now inspect this amazing car in more detail, shall we?
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Most appropriately, a powerful 24-stud 8BA flathead engine, displaying 239 cubic inches, resides below the shaved hood. Visually so much more rewarding than its successor, the overhead-valve Y-block, a flathead seems to have a soul and a voice. Cognoscenti will always be able to identify the unique sound of a flathead. Dual waterpumps feed the two cylinder banks, and there's some inherent beauty in all those chrome-plated head studs gracing the finned heads. Interestingly, like many hot rods, this car at some point in its distant past was powered by a Chevy big block, until the previous owner was lucky enough to find this remarkable and almost irreplaceable engine.
The value of a nicely "built" flathead today? Try $8-10,000.00!
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Originally rated at 110hp, this particular engine benefitted tremendously from the installation of a set of OFFENHAUSER high-performance heads and intake manifold, sporting twin STROMBERG 97 carbs, topped with Stellings & Hellings air cleaners. Ignition duties are handled by a MALLORY hi-po distributor amd ACCEL Super Coil. A CARTER Competition electric fuel pump and HOLLEY pressure regulator ensure adequate flow of go-juice at all times, while a set of custom headers handles the spent gases. The re-cored stock radiator is augmented with a flex fan, keeping the Flattie nice and cool, even on those hot Central Valley days. A 12-Volt system with alternator conversion takes care of all electrical needs. Note the beautiful job that was done rewiring the car.
A true hot rod motor, this power plant not only looks great, she also runs super strong, sounding better than any "modern" V8!
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Continuing to the exterior, we are happy to report that the car's coachwork presents itself impeccably smooth. Being a California Ford, there is no rust to be found anywhere, nor dings, dents, bubbles, or scratches. For a cleaner appearance, the Ford has been nosed and decked and the lower side trim was removed. The trunk opens via dash-controlled solenoid.
Painted steel wheels with dog dish hub caps add a tough look.
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Excellent Coral Flame Red paint covers the Coupe's smooth flanks. Very glossy finish makes this one a true eye catcher!
Chrome and stainless trim remains in very good to excellent condition, apart from the taillight housings, which show the usual pitting.
Notice the--barely visible--traction bars. There's also a Panhard bar and a chassis brace for added stiffness.
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Let's turn our attention to the car's cockpit now.
We really dig the vintage CAL CUSTOM steering wheel.
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Stark black means business! Note split windshield.
Hand-made, faded decal on dashboard reads: "This engine will self-destruct at 8,000 RPM!" Right on!
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Aircraft-like array of period STEWART WARNER gauges include fuel level, ammeter, engine vacuum, oil pressure, oil temperature, 2 x water temperature, clock, and speedometer. Tachometer is by SUN. Yes, all gauges work perfectly and emit an eerie, jet-fighter-like glow in the dark.
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More details:
- Both interior lights work
- ANSEN pedals
- Vintage HURST Competition Pro shifter with reverse lockout
- Factory Magic Air under-dash heater unit works perfectly!
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Front bucket seats, straight from a--then brand-new--1969 Mustang, look perfect and are very comfortable.
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Rear bench seat appears stock--this '51 is a Club Coupe that seats five adults.
Although for the most part 59 years old, Ford's interior is in superb condition, with excellent black carpeting and nice door panels. There's some minor sagging of the headliner near the left front A-pillar, so insignificant, we opted to leave it alone.
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we find out what it's like to drive a real Hot Rod, let's have a look at trunk and undercarriage.
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Large trunk compartment is free from the ususal corrosion. The car's long-time owner was smart enough to remove the rubber trunk mat, where moisture often gets trapped, resulting in a rusty trunk floor. Not so here!
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Yep, this one's all metal.
Note matching spare.
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Ford's undercarriage is that of the proverbial--and highly desirable--California car. The benevolent climate of the Central Valley is responsible for keeping this sled's sheet metal healthy. |
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Details of undercarriage
- Rear axle, stainless brake lines, 3" open driveshaft
- Polished, stainless steel Sonic Turbo mufflers. 2" dual exhaust system.
- Healthy front end, coil-over shocks, and sway bar.
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Monday, August 3, turned out to be a rather mild day here in San Buenaventura. It's nice to live close to the ocean!
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Hop in, get comfy. Flip the switch to turn on the electric fuel pump and once it's humming, pump the gas pedal twice. Turn the ignition key and the flathead fires up in an instant, settles into a mild rumble and immediately responds favorably to any input from your right foot. The Hurst shifter is precise and the Ford toploader 4-speed--from a '68 big block Mustang--with ANSEN clutch master cylinder and NHRA-approved WEBER clutch with 11" ZOOM disc requires a determined push. Give some input with the loud pedal, raise the clutch pedal and off you go in a hurry.
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The 3.55 gears of the sturdy 9-inch diff coming from a '59 Ranchero allow for a relaxed gear change, which means around town you won't need 4th until you cruise at about 50mph. Throttle response is superb, indicating excellent carburetor sychronisation. Acceleration is fierce and accompanied by the goose-bump inducing song of the mighty flathead. Brakes include Kelsey-Hayes front discs from a full-size '67 Mercury with a MICO truck proportioning valve, grab with authority. Steering is tight, and even reverse engages easily and with a reaffirming "click." This is definitely not a "Rat Rod," no ill behavior spoils the immense fun of piloting this 59-year-old, true old school Hot Rod, and you'll never mistake it for your grandpa's Country Sedan, either. We like it, a lot!
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Being car guys all our lives, we were utterly surprised how sensational the Ford was received. Enthusiasts of early hot rodding all seem to value it as a rare surviving example of a pure hot rod from a time when the term billet had no meaning to anybody but an aerospace engineer. And herein lies this car's inherent appeal and value! Anybody can build a car with parts from a mail order catalog, but it takes lots of time, money, and dedication to lovingly create a unique and well-balanced Rod like this!
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Not very often will you come across a vintage Ford like this one, where every component fits the theme perfectly. If you dare to be different, are more loyal to the blue oval than the General, and enjoy a fine flat-motored Rod, this fifty-one might be just the ride you've been waiting for.
Opportunity knocks. Are you ready to answer?
Addendum:
We sold this Ford in October 2010 to a customer in Omaha, Nebraska.
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