Raymond Arsenault on Life and Business: Hemmings Find of the Day

1950 Ford Custom DeLuxe for sale. From the seller’s description:

FANTASTIC FOOR DOOR FORD ! Tired of looking for a 2dr ShoeBox Ford that’s in decent shape, or at a decent price ? All the good ones are already owned by someone else, and those that are for sale make one shudder when seeing the asking price ! Right ?

Every body style of this series Ford was a great looking vehicle, and these photos prove that the 4 door model can hold it’s own at any car show. In August, at the 30th Annual All Ford Show held at Bloomfield, IA, this car won a 3rd place trophy – voted on by registered Ford participants at the show. In September, it won a trophy as one of the 10 Best Cars at a Verizon sponsored car show in Kirksville, Mo. Just two examples to prove that people like well done cars that have more than 2 doors !

I am the 3rd owner of this fine vehicle. The previous owner knew the original buyer, who owned it from 1950 until he passed away in 1985. The 2nd owner decided the have the car restored about 12 or 13 years ago to a solid classic condition, but not museum quality. He wanted to be able to drive it to shows , take the grandkids for rides, and actually use the car without worry about a little scratch here or there. Also, he intentionally left a few small scrapes in the bright metal trim that the 1st owner had done – a way to remember him he said ! Only the front and rear bumpers have been rechromed. The balance of the bright metal trim has been buffed and returned to the car.

The restoration work was done by professional shops. The exterior was stripped to bare metal, finding the body to be in fine condition. The repaint is exceptional quality. This shop removed the doors, did all door jambs, and door edges, the dash including inside the glove box door, inside the trunk , inside the gas filler door, and even the gas cap ! This work was done at approx. 33,000 miles, and now with over 47,000 miles on the car, it still looks outstanding. This is the original color for the car . For the interior, again the owner took it to a professional shop. The fabrics chosen are of top quality, tho not exact Ford matching material . The patterns are laid out following the Ford design for 1950, however, and all the door trim for the doors was polished and returned to the doors.

Because the car had sat idle for several years ( garaged ) a decision was made to remove the engine and pull it apart for inspection & repairs as needed. To everyone’s surprise, the engine needed nothing. After carefully measuring and cleaning and checking, it was decided to hone the cylinders, install new rings, lap the valves, and reassemble the engine with all new gaskets. It runs very well.

During the past year a complete tune up was done including new plugs, plug wires, dist. cap, rotor, condensor, points, hoses and a fan belt. The carb and the generator were rebuilt. All new brakes were installed, including a new master cylinder. A new gas tank sending unit was also installed. Four new tires are now on the car.

Many parts were added to upgrade the car including new front shocks, custom made load leveler rear shocks, stainless steel hub caps and beauty rings, new door skuff plates , and several new emblems installed on the car.

This car has an interesting history, and now it’s ready to begin a new chapter with you ! Here is a sedan that you really can go cruising in, take another couple out to the country club for dinner, or go for a pleasant drive out on the country roads ! Although it doesn’t have overdrive, it will easily motor along at 60 MPH without strain, and return good gas mileage.