1949 Ford Convertible

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

Gasoline

This 1949 Ford Custom convertible gets a lot of attention on the road, but still needs some TLC to get the details right. Someone spent a lot of time and money getting it into its current condition, but it has a few needs, which is why the reserve and Buy It Now prices are so low. Book value is between $27,000 and $39,000, and the reserve is well below the low value. I am selling this car for a friend of mine who purchased it last spring, but will answer all questions to the best of my ability. We have many photos that we have not posted here, so if there is something you would like to see in greater detail, please let me know and I will get you the pictures. Finished in what we believe is original Fez Red, the bodywork and paint are good and the car shows nicely. There is some evidence of repairs in the quarter panels, but the finish is good and I don't see a problem with it aside from some slight waves. Trunk and hood fit well, doors fit just OK because of the the poor design of the latches on these cars ('49 Ford fans know what I'm talking about). You have to be careful when you slam the doors to make sure they latch correctly. If the latch is properly set, the doors close just fine, but people who don't know about the latches tend to slam them too hard and then they don't close correctly. Perhaps this can be adjusted, but we don't know how to do it. Paint is shiny and looks good, even up close, and there aren't many signs that it has been driven, no notable scratches or chips. Accessory fender skirts, tailpipe tip, bumper guards, and fuel door guard. A lot of the chrome is new, including the bumpers and parts of the grille, including the bullet. The stainless trim is nice, and we know the bright trim on the taillights is from a later model, but that's how it was when he got the car and it looks good. Plastic on hood ornament is intact and looks great. The tan canvas top and clear plastic rear window are brand new, and we just installed new hydraulic cylinders at a cost of over $1500, so the power convertible top works perfectly. There's a matching tan vinyl boot to cover the top when it's down, which looks like it was made at the same time the interior was restored. The interior is new tan vinyl that looks good and there's almost no wear and definitely no damage. New matching door panels were installed at the same time. Black rubber floor mat is probably a reproduction of the original. Dash has been nicely painted, but gauges are original and none of them seem to work except the oil pressure and temperature gauges. Speedometer is not working, so the mileage is not known. Radio present but not functioning. All windows go up and down, although passenger's door window gets a little tight. Three-speed manual transmission on the steering column, and very nice steering wheel that looks restored. Good horn button, and all the knobs and handles are present. Clock not working. Engine appears to be a later model Mercury flathead, and someone spent a lot of time and money getting the engine bay detailed correctly. Copper paint on the block, heads have 8CM and "Mercury" cast into them, with casting date of ND218. Intake manifold casting number 8BA-8RT 6520. Correct generator, hoses and clamps, air cleaner and Ford carburetor, and lacquered spark plug wires. Radiator in good condition and we installed a new fuel pump two months ago. All the power top hydraulics on the firewall are rebuilt and function properly. Recent battery with cut-off switch. It runs OK, but needs some fine tuning. There's no smoke or bad noises from inside the engine and it doesn't overheat. Transmission shifts, clutch feels good and doesn't slip, brakes are firm, generator charges. The owner says it has factory overdrive, but I haven't tested it at high speed, so I can't confirm whether it works. The exhaust appears newer and we installed a new hanger out back, which was missing. Suspension feels kind of loose going down the road, and our mechanic says it is due to a loose kingpin in the front suspension, but we have not pursued it more than that. Tires are in good condition, and there's a matching spare in the trunk, along with a jack assembly and rubber trunk mat. Solid undercarriage with no structural rust or damage, no rust holes in the floors or trunk. The owner has not owned it long and purchased it in is current condition, so there is no ownership history or restoration receipts. The car looks good and gets a lot of attention, but it needs someone who will get the gauges working, tune the motor, and sort out the suspension. For these reasons, the car has a reserve well under book value because we understand that it isn't perfect and that the new owner will have to spend some time and money making it right. All it needs is some elbow grease and some know-how, because all the expensive work is done. Vehicle is located in Cleveland, Ohio and you are welcome to inspect it with 24 hours' notice. All sales are final. Please do not use your bid as an excuse to inspect the car and then decide you do not want it. Your bid is a contract and we will pursue all remedies possible if you default. This user name is new because I am doing this for a friend who has never used eBay before, but I am a long time eBay user.