California From New 1949 Ford Road Test

I take a quick ride in this time capsule 1949 Ford Business Coupe.

[@verdict1163]

What a neat little piece of Americana. I love how basic it is.

[@hothatchpa]

What a little beauty. Business coupes of this era are some of my very favorite cars.

[@BillySBC]

A nice example of a basic car from that time period. Thanks for posting this.

[@rogerhilberg9404]

my dad had a 49 coupe!! it was black!! I will always remember on the grille in the middle he took out the center round emblem and put in a orange fog light!! it fit in there perfectly!!! I thought that was so cool!!! I remember when he traded it in. I was in the back seat of the new 1961 Chevy Impala! looking back I saw the 49 Ford felt so bad. just love the body on the 49 Ford!! i was about 13 years old!!

[@mannyj4751]

It's 3 years older than me...but starts easier than I do on a cold morning😊

[@originaloldpop8405]

know the feeling too well

[@marstondavis]

For people that have never been in one, they have a very nice road feel. Not harsh, nor sloppy. Just a comfortable ride. You can drive one 300 miles and when you get out, you're not tired. If they made them like this again, and they could, they'd sell everyone.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Those of us over a certain age sure would, but the only way the younger set would is if they had power steering, power brakes, automatic, etc. They don't know how to shift gears and they aren't strong enough to handle a full-size car without power assists.

[@nodak81]

A few years ago I rented a Nissan Altima that ended up being the most comfortable car I've ever been in. I drove it from Chicago to Cape Cod straight through without stopping for anything but fuel. When I got there my back felt great and I wasn't nearly as fatigued as I am driving other cars. Not that I'm comparing an Altima to a '49 Ford but I'm just saying there are still comfy cars being made today.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@nodak81 I have driven some of those, the early ones. They weren't bad, but if the later ones are anything like a 2010 Toyota Avalon, they are NOT very comfortable.

[@MetalTeamster]

Liberals won’t allow it. Too hard on the planet. Meanwhile, they fly in personal jets to their swanky destinations

[@kateathend]

If someone could get past all the restrictions. Make and sell cars for those of us that can still turn our neck around and not require a backup computer. The last video I watched on new car safety auto stop equipment involved some driver falling asleep in a VW. But alas roll down windows might require manuals on instructions for use? Aside from re-tooling if it were possible to make these wonderful steel machines again I wonder if they could be sold for less money than what we see manufactures charging now for all their Barbie plastic? If that were so then you just might have a winner.

[@johnwade5747]

I love the business, coupes, or coupes in general because the Side windows look so much cooler than the plain two-door sedan, which almost looks like a four-door with the back doors, welded shut, some what.

[@Greatdome99]

No passenger sunshade, no back seat. Room back there was for sales samples.

[@kayemtee5312]

Brings back such memories; my dad’s first car was a 1950 Custom that he bought in November of 1949. I was born in 1955, so, because his had a back seat, I grew up up in.

[@bryan17293]

Beautiful Ford born in 1949 same as me.

[@markiesmith4537]

Column change looks pretty tight as well - Lovely!

[@emmettcunninghamjr.5207]

😄 Ohh, how i would love to drive this beautiful Ford! Thank, you.

[@fasx56]

What a rare Jewel in such beautiful Condition, love the sound of those duel exhaust pipes. Appreciate that Roy up loaded this short video to see such a rare car still running .

[@paulmitchell2005]

My father used to have one of these as a company car in the 50's when he was a movie theatre sound system techrep for Altec. I remember going with him a number of times in a similar car. Thanks for sharing.

[@waregraham8335]

Altec: Voice of the Theatre!

[@christesta2521]

Beautiful '49 Ford. My dad once owned a btand new '51 Ford. As your aware they had a similar body style. Enjoy this one. Looks fun to drive. How simplistic they were. Thanks for sharing.

[@thomaswilkerson2518]

My father had a 1950 Ford tutor he took my mom to the hospital when she went labor with me. And that’s the first car ever rode in when he picked me and my mom up from the hospital in 1972

[@swather777]

My first car was a 1950 Ford coupe. I bought it my senior year of high school 1972. It was a fun car to drive but I hated the vacuum operated windshield wipers...LOL

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Should have installed the optional double-action fuel pump.

[@rogermetzger7335]

Vacuum wipers worked just fine except while accelerating or going uphill.

[@beaurex4756]

Those wipers were bad. Quit, when you needed them most.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@rogermetzger7335 If you had a double-action fuel pump, they even worked while accelerating and going up hills.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@beaurex4756 If you sprang for the double-action fuel pump, they worked fine.

[@Underwaystudios]

My parents had one before I was born. Dad always said that it was his favorite car!

[@markw208]

Thanks for the drive.

[@barrywinslow9798]

Great vid...great car.....thanks for sharing that wonderful '49. God bless

[@RickGTI2019]

My dad had a 46 coupe. We loved that car too. Thanks. Rick…..🌴

[@MrDavidknigge]

I remember sitting on my daddy's lap while he proudly drove his lightly used '49 Ford back in 1951. The sight of that steering wheel, speedometer, and sound of the engine triggered my memory 73 years later. I wish they still made and sold basic transportation, with seat belt of course.

[@DocRiedenschneider]

Revolutionary design on par with the 1953 Studebaker and 1957 Plymouth.There were still many on the road in the late 50's to early 60's.Love the "three on the tree"! This one is a beauty and glad it is well cared for!

[@donwilkinson6450]

Just a car. My dad was a Ford mechanic in the early 50s and loved these things. Came out of the army as a mechanic.

[@The1cdccop]

It's nice to see someone once, who knows how to properly shift one of these old girls. Not one clash of the gears.

[@josephwright9087]

How could you not love the sound of a flathead .

[@geoffreystearns1690]

I learned to drive in one of these beauties...when it was only slightly used back in '55

[@richardwilliams2111]

I had a 1950 in high school. I would race those Chevys that had split manifolds . Much fun for a sixteen year old !

[@brushbros]

I was in the back seat of an identical car when mom and dad brought my sister home from the hospital in 1953. I myself came home in a 1946 Ford.

[@alexclement7221]

Business coupes had no back seat. That's literally the definition of "business coupe"....

[@redtra236]

It doesn't have a back seat...

[@robertgad3269]

When I was 14 years old (quite a while ago), my father had a black ’49 Ford Tudor towed to our house. It had been owned by some relative who had died, and my father assumed the responsibility of disposing of it. The car was a non-runner, supposedly with a seized engine. While he was usually smarter than that, my father said to me that if I could get the Ford running, I could keep it and drive it around our property. It turned out that the engine was not seized, it just had a couple of valves that weren’t interested in closing. Barring the engine over and then pounding the recalcitrant valves back down (with some healthy doses of Marvel Mystery Oil) did the job. I “borrowed” the battery from my mother’s car, put some water in the radiator, and when my father got home that night I was driving back and forth up and down the driveway. His initial response when he saw the car moving would not have been approved by my mother. Anyhow, my father was good to his word, and I drove that ’49 back and forth until I was old enough to get a license and a real car. I then sold it to a local gentleman farmer, who used it as a farm truck for many years. Thanks for the memory.

[@americanrambler4972]

The 49 Ford car has never been a car I ever really found attractive. But the importance to Ford and its place in the history of the success of Ford brand I have no doubt about. I am pleased this fine example is still around and fully operational.

[@vishouscat]

Beautiful machine, I have the four door version of this car with the base 237 inline 6 cylinder, with the only two options being the magic air heater and AM/SW radio.

[@davidvelen9835]

Very cool, interesting how they had push button start back in those days. Thanks for sharing.

[@cliffbarnhouse4913]

Neat! I had a 51 Ford in high school. Wish I still had it.

[@ronaldhaugen5967]

Came across America in a 48 Ford split window in early 50s❤ I can still smell the cloth seats

[@aaroncostello8812]

2:45 Ah....the lost art of the double-clutch downshift.

[@Skedawg88]

I owned one just like it, same color same model. Mine however was a 1950. Fun car.

[@tedlahm5740]

gas cap hidden inside the fender. change to the front grill. 1950 model.

[@rand49er]

That was a good year ... says the guy whose 76th birthday is next week.

[@terrystewart2070]

Nice shoebox! I had a 49 in the mid sixties as my back up ride for when my "good" ride was broke down. In fact it was the same color as this one, but a 2 door sedan rather than business coupe. It was actually fun to drive, and the updates that Ford did to the flathead starting in 49 made it a whole lot better, and especially way easier to set the points and whatever else in the distributor. This sounds totally different with those Ardun heads (and much better I might add LOL). A dangerous quirk they had was in the door latching system.....there was a road that I traveled daily then that was a short uphill section, with a gentle left turn at the crest, and the outside edge was cambered downward (on the passenger side) and the body would flex just enough for the passenger side door to fly open. First time it happened I almost lost my buddy out the door. After that we knew what not to do. Lean on that door right there LOL Also, there was absolutely nothing structurally wrong with that car. I'm in California, it was a California car, I worked in a gas station, I'd had thing up the air and inspected every inch of it. No rust, no issues. Just flexed enough with those crappy door latches to be dangerous.

[@mikedrown2721]

Ford never called this a shoe box

[@jebsails2837]

My Aunt and Uncle had one. They worked for the Newport Casino (now Tennis Hall of Fame). When approval was given to Jazz promoter, George Wein, for the 1st Newport Jazz Festival, they loaded casino valuables into their business coupe so they wouldn't be damage by the jazz "ruffians". Narragansett Bay

[@crosslink1493]

Nice rig, out of my price range. Love the minimal dash, just a few essential controls and not all the garbage 'bells & whistles' that you see today. From the way you're driving it looks like a non-synchro'd transmission that requires you get a feel for the engine speed and let the trans gears & motor slip together.

[@georgealaska559]

I had a 51 the seats were like sitting on a really comfy sofa. A 49 was in the Smithsonian as an example of revolutionary auto design.

[@waregraham8335]

Such a clean design and so different to the ‘48’s

[@sjanzeir]

I would happily daily drive this!

[@davidwood351]

I would love to have that car. Simple elegance.

[@toplarry]

Beautiful

[@thepurpleufo]

I love those Fords of that era.

[@Rick1959]

Forever BEAUTIFUL Thanks! 🙂

[@mikedrown2721]

Henry Ford never called this a flat head. He called it a V8

[@robavz5621]

I really like having three on the tree...wish it were still available.

[@paulsullivan6392]

Flatheads forever. I noticed minor customization. AMber lenses in the front parking lights and duals. It sounds great by the way.

[@tedlahm5740]

1958 for amber lense?

[@macmac8249]

@@tedlahm5740I believe that the 1956 Ford had amber park light lenses (on the front) but that might have been an option or possibly after-market.

[@kellykonoske91]

What a beautiful old "shoebox" Ford! My Grandpa had a '50 sedan.

[@choward5430]

Sweet Flathead!

[@jamesstuart3346]

My dad had one in dark green. He also inherited an identical car from his dad, only a 1950 ☺️

[@bruceferguson6637]

My grandmother had a ‘49, same body style but a maroon color. In ‘61 she traded it in for a Fairlane two-door. The 292 Y-block had a noisy valve train and hardly made much more power, IMO.

[@JamesMarkin-fv2dw]

My favorite car! I would love to own one.

[@leinad5243]

Seat looks comfy!

[@williamfairchild8119]

My $25 ford ran good but burneb oil like crazy. My 49 $100 ford was made into a Ranchero. N Ran good looked good came with speed parts in a box. A 3/4 isky cam tri power manifold and carbs and other stuff. Next was a 52 wagon 6 three speed for $60. Great car never any problem kept for 1 year sold it for $150 still good. Next was a 53 merc woody trim wagon with rebuilt v-8 and merc omatic for $80. Was like new inside and out was a great car 9 passenger with fold down seats.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

What a cutie! (The car of course 😀) IMHO, from a simpler time.

[@glennford4483]

Great Shoebox👍

[@mikedrown2721]

Ford never called it a shoe box

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Beautiful 👌🇦🇺✌️

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

My late husband stole a 49 Mercury and used it to rob a bank in 1953. Got away with almost $500 dollars. But he got caught and spent 17 years in prison. Died a year after he got out.

[@redtra236]

Sorry but thats karma

[@pony053]

What a treasure you have there! What, no touch screen!

[@mtnman3MTA3]

I really wanted to bid on this. You don’t see low mileage, original paint, no rust shoebox Fords very often. If it hadn’t been a heater delete car I might have tried to win the auction. The new ‘49 Fords were pretty much the first modern cars.

[@Aztec73]

Nice ride, that year Ford is a favorite of mine #Aztec73

[@rgbigdog]

The car that saved Ford Motors.

[@danielburke4113]

Very nice. I heard mentioned of the stock interior. Has it had a repaint or is it original. Beautiful simple car.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

Wonderful!

[@StanHere1]

My mom regularly took me shopping and to kindergarten in this same; 1949 model & color Ford in 1951 in Los Angeles before the city-of-fools set fire to itself!!!!

[@beaurex4756]

1949, the year I was born in Dearborn, half a mile from where Henry was born. They used to make good cars.

[@donaldbrittsan984]

Same color as my grandma's, I can still smell the upholstery!

[@warringtonfaust1088]

Nothing like the smell of mohair on a rainy day.

[@BigDale]

Car has 6 volt battery. Starts up very well!

[@pilsudski36]

Business Coupes were the company cars and salesman's cars of that time. Sample cases went behind the front seat and the business coupes were the lowest price models, which the accountants likes.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

I think my dad owned one before I was born. He had a tire and wheel he kept in the garage for years and when I asked him what car it belonged to I think he said 49 Ford. It was cream colored with white side wall. It's gone now only memories.

[@Jdm3518]

Love it. Thank you

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

I learned to drive with a three-on-the-tree. This one is a real time capsule!

[@ghoster3078]

I had a 1951 Tudor loved that car . I was 15 drove all over.

[@richardmerriam7044]

Being a business coupe, it wouldn't have a back seat. Cool car for a band member-just enough room for guitar, amp, and gig bag.

[@josephp.carlino3021]

I’m remembering a car like this in high school for $100. On a used car lot. Should have bought it. I was 12. Lol

[@BrucesShop]

This is the first car I ever drove. I was 14

[@ericcriteser4001]

Was almost my first car for $1500 in 1993. Dad said no. Ended up with a 1987 Ford Escort diesel.

[@BlackPill-pu4vi]

Condolences. Your first car might still be in the family if you could've gotten it. A Ford Escort of any type? A throw-away car for sure.

[@workingTchr]

What a beautiful car, but I would like more interior visibility. I know its sacrilege, but cutting into the roof on the front and sides and adding more glass would be a great upgrade.

[@nlpnt]

Randomly sent by the algo, instant subscribe!

[@Steve-ou8nw]

I miss the "three on the tree" shifter.

[@edgarcook9607]

They still offered a Coupe body, business or back seat version as late as 1952. But then that was it. This one! Has an oil filter, big deal at the time, and those dual carbs! Yeah baby!

[@Haffschlappe]

Sadly California just banned all Gas cars!

[@cellpat7392]

I wonder if old man Henry had a peek at a prototype of these before his passing.

[@redtra236]

The air filter is definitely not stock but thats a cool car

[@neetknight9954]

Easy to drive!

[@EricBrushaber-x9p]

Nice car

[@petewidener3354]

My older brothers loved them , hell even my mother and pop loved the old fords. I have a 52 F 1 , flat Head , love it , need brakes so can't drive ?!

[@1940limited]

Definitely a bare bones model: Only one sun visor! My cousin had a stripped 59 Chevy Biscayne like that. No arm rests, either. 6/2tick.

[@RobertBockey]

My dad had a 49 Ford.

[@1940limited]

49 Fords didn't have dual exhaust. Too bad someone put aftermarket lights on it. Turn signals can be adapted to the original lights. Aftermarket air cleaner, too.

[@SoCalBlueTrucker]

Nice shoebox Ford.

[@MetalTeamster]

What did those do for fuel mileage? I would guess 13-14 around town, 17-18 at 60 mph on the road. Slow down to a steady 50 and you or get 18-19…..? Oil change intervals? 2500 for short trips, 3500 cross country?

[@edfulginiti8798]

Cars from this era…say late 40s to mid 60s…are my most favored. Every car manufacturer looked specific to their make and model whereas today’s cars all look similar…like gumdrops.

[@bertroost1675]

I wish we had simple cars again.

[@Greatdome99]

Flathead V8 sounds great, but based seeing the replacement dry element air cleaner, I'd wager it has a more "robust" exhaust system.

[@alexclement7221]

Yeah, there is little "stock" about that engine; a flathead of that era had about 120 hp GROSS, which would be roughly 90 hp net, or about what a Corolla has...

and hop'd up......cool

[@Byron-yo4tz]

Robert Ryan, Ida Lupino : On Dangerous Ground, or was tha a 1950?