1949 Ford

Infobox Automobile
name=Ford


manufacturer=Ford Motor Company
production=1949–1951
predecessor=1941 Ford
successor=1952 Ford
class=Full-size Ford
wheelbase=114 in (2896 mm)
engine=226 CID (3.7 L) "L-head" I6
239 CID (3.9 L) "Flathead" V8After sticking with its previous model for far too long to suit its customers, Ford completely redesigned its namesake car for 1949. Save for its drivetrain, this was an all-new car in every way, with a modern ladder frame now supporting a coil spring suspension in front and longitudinal semi-elliptical springs in back. The engine was moved forward to make more room in the passenger compartment and the antiquated torque tube was replaced by a modern drive shaft. Ford's popular 226 CID (3.7 L) "L-head" straight-6 and 239 CID (3.9 L) "Flathead" V8 remained, now rated at 90 hp (67 kW) and 100 hp (75 kW), respectively.

1949

The 1949 models debuted at a grand gala at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, 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.

1950

1950 saw a new Crestliner "sports sedan" — a 2-door sedan with 2-tone paint intended to battle Chevrolet's popular hardtop sedans of 1950. 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. The trim lines were renamed as well, with "Standard" becoming "Deluxe" and "Custom" renamed "Custom Deluxe".

1951

The 1951 Fords featured an optional Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission for the first time. Ford finally answered Chevrolet's Bel Air charge with the Victoria hardtop sedan in 1951. The car was an instant hit, outselling the Chevy by nearly 10%. The Crestliner continued for one more year, however. All 1951 Fords sported a new "dual-bullet" grille and heavy chrome bumpers.

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