Last updated on July 21, 2023
Today’s car is a 1949 Ford Custom Club Coupe owned by Jim Fitzpatrick. I photographed this car at the LA Roadster Show, in the Specialty Parking area, held at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA. It is finished in Fez Red with a black and white vinyl Interior. It is powered by a 325 hp, 392 cu in, Hemi Chrysler Engine, with a 4-bbl fuel injected system, mated to a 3-speed GM TH400 automatic transmission and a narrowed Ford 9 rear end with a 3.10:1 gear ratio. Slowing this baby down are disc brakes up front and drum in the rear. It has independent front suspension with dual A-arms with coil springs and a one piece rubber mounted stabilizer. The rear suspension has longitudinal semi-elliptical leaf springs.
Today’s car is the 1949 Ford Custom Club Coupe owned by Jim Fitzpatrick. I photographed this car at the LA Roadster Show, in the Specialty Parking area, held at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA. It is finished in Fez Red with a black and white vinyl Interior. It is powered by a 325 hp, 392 cu in, Hemi Chrysler Engine, with a 4-bbl fuel injection system, mated to a 3-speed GM TH400 automatic transmission and a narrowed Ford 9″ rear end with a 3.10:1 gear ratio. Slowing this baby down are disc brakes up front and drum in the rear. It has independent front suspension with dual A-arms with coil springs and a one piece rubber mounted stabilizer. The rear suspension has longitudinal semi-elliptical leaf springs.
I was parked behind this car and noticed it was very clean looking with some subtle modifications. First was the dual exhaust was a larger diameter than usual for a 1949 Ford. Second was the rear tires were wider than stock. Then usual stuff the hood emblem and bumper guards removed give it that clean appearance. Then there was the engine! What a Hemi! Is that power steering? Yes! After talking to the owner he was very proud of a couple of things; There was no sheet metal cut to get the Hemi in the engine bay and the wider tires fit inside the fenders without any wheel well tubing!
The 1949 Ford is referred to as the “car that saved Ford Motor Company.” A total of 1,118,740 1949 Fords were produced. It started the company on the track from losses to profits in the post-war period. The total number 0f Club Coupe produced was 154,424 with 4,170 of them being 6 cylinders. The MSRP was $1,415.00. The inline flathead 225.8 cu in and 95 hp six had a published top speed of 84 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 18 seconds. This is a great example of a a period correct Shoebox Ford. What a great car to take to car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or just a cruise around town. Thank you for riding along. Frank
