1953 Ford Customline 2-door

If you're looking for an entry-level hobby car that's all sorted out and ready to enjoy, perhaps this '53 Ford will be the answer. Don't be fooled by the slightly lowered stance, this car is a very original V8 Ford in great shape that's a lot of fun to drive. Aside from a repaint sometime in the not-too-distant past and a freshened engine compartment, it's pretty original, including the interior. Not a perfect car, but a nice cruiser that runs superbly and runs easily with modern traffic.

The two-tone blue paint is apparently this car's correct color combination and it looks quite good in person. Not perfect, but certainly good enough for local cruise nights and you'll enjoy polishing it up on weekends. I believe all the bodywork is original and it seems quite straight, although I'm not enough of an expert in these cars to determine whether the fender skirts are original or an aftermarket addition (I suspect the latter). The continental kit adds some big car drama to the relatively compact Ford and if you're a fan of the '50s, well, it seems to work just fine. Chrome and stainless trim is quite good, including the hood ornament and attractive rear fender moldings.

I believe the interior is entirely original, and aside from some age and a tear in the front seat, it's very nicely preserved. I'm kind of on the fence about replacing that front seat cover, since a new one might stand out, but yes, you're right, that tear is kind of a bummer. On the other hand, the door panels and back seat are excellent and the gauges are so bright and crisp that it would be easy to believe they've been restored. The steering wheel celebrates Ford's 50th anniversary and the original radio has been replaced with a modern AM/FM/CD unit that powers a pair of speakers on the rear deck. I'm guessing there's a power inverter in there somewhere, because it still runs the original 6-volt electrical system.

The engine is the erstwhile 239 cubic inch flathead V8 that is so beloved among Ford fans. It was recently detailed and looks quite stock under that oil bath air cleaner, and despite the vast aftermarket of hop-up parts available for these cars, this one seems completely stock save for a very mild dual exhaust system. It starts easily and idles so smoothly and quietly that I accidentally hit the starter after it was already running. That's pretty impressive. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts easily and this little car doesn't mind keeping up with today's traffic. Brakes are firm and work well and while I don't like the "tail-dragger" stance, it's just a set of lowering blocks that could be removed in about an hour to restore it to factory specs. Wide whitewall radials have been fitted, which really do make a difference in ride and handling.

We're asking a very reasonable $19,900 for this really nice little car. For the price of a 3-year-old Hyundai, you could be driving something like this instead. Thanks for reading!