What kind of car is this?

[broklan]

I was recently given some old family pics (1958) that has the car I remember my mom talking about, her "red sports car" the Uncle Lou cracked up. I always wondered what it was... and now I still do not. I think it says Ford, but not sure. Can anyone help me with the year, make, and model? Thanks a bunch!

[kbeach]

1951 Ford convert.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

It's actually a 1950 with some extra chrome trim on the rear fender and tail light windsplit.

[Marty Roth]

No!

It is a "shoebox" Ford, but not a 1951. The chrome parts leading toward the taillights may have made it appear to be a 1951 ,

however the pictured car you included is either a 1949 or 1950 with chrome parts added above to create add-on tail-fins and the 1951-style rear trim.

From this angle, you can see the chromed Gas Cap, below the trim and body line.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTI62skHuQNnGaaJNrA3E9vqQb-DwS_QDR9t9PZDwzDJdYaJdnY:www.theavanti.net/topten/1949_ford.jpg

A true 1951 would have had the gas fill above these parts, and would have been hidden behind a "lift" lid as part of the body's sheet metal, as follows:

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3GQEpI7rczYahCCTiEKQTI9KcznQ9diyKbVyYTGGRRPWwPJzq:clubs.hemmings.com/nirg-earlyfordv-8/Gallery-Cars/1951%2520Ford%2520Convertible%2520-%2520Dotty%2520A.jpg

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQd4Y92LQrj8nthWW-M9x6R_i5hjqGmk9kTnDZxF8p0ppI_soyF:shoeboxford.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/51ford.gif

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKPsgMdb59iOPwHUPZx1RX2a5oSaYniQIuENdEq-GNAZ4Qbo2T:www.americandreamcars.com/1951ford2drsd062108.jpg

The earlier models gas cap was ex

If we had been able to see the front of the car, another differentiation would have been, that the 1951 had TWO (2) "Bullets" in the grille bar, where the 1949 & 1950 had only ONE (1). Another difference between those, is that the 1950 had the Ford Crest above the center Grille Bullet,

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMF4XAfWpsmcTKXJsX_BS4puVLyhAVORetjKAmDqG-1lWwUHOpgw:www.fiftiesweb.com/cars/50.ford.crestliner.jpg

while the 1949 had the name "FORD" spelled out above the bullet:

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSF_8_PvJbuMlzW-QuL34n7lU8Ff3A82vu63d7MytNm7uYKXr5rJw:static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1949-ford-custom-v-8.jpg

I hope this helps

PS: I see that Dave added his comments the same time as mine - and that we agree -- thanks, Dave

Edited September 2, 2013 by Marty Roth
add comment per Dave's post - same time (see edit history)

[john2dameron]

I have to say '49 Ford as the '49's were the only ones with the exposed gas filler cap; '50 and '51's had the cap covered with a lift-up door. I also think I am seeing a chrome trunk lid handle, the '50's had a painted handle. The bar in the '49 grille ended at the parking lights; the '50 grille bar curved around the fender 3 or 4 inches which made it visible from the side of the car; I do not see the end of the grille bar in this photo so I say '49 with added chrome trim on the rear fender.

[junkyardjeff]

Its a 49 with some JC Whitney or Western Auto add on chrome parts.

[Guest Skyking]

Another way to tell it's a '49 is the trunk hinges are chrome and externally placed.

[broklan]

Thanks all for looking at this post. I did find another somewhat obstructed picture. Thanks again

[bhambulldog]

'49

[john2dameron]

Still '49. '49's had the letters F-O-R-D on the hood; '50 and '51 models had the crest, on the hood and trunk lid, that Ford began using in 1950.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

49s had pull out handles. 50 had the thumb push button

[Dave Mellor NJ]

49s had pull out handles. 50 had the thumb push button. 50 also still had the external trunk hinges, but the gas filler cap and the lettered hood give this car more of the 49 features.This convertible is 100% 50.

[smithbrother]

I think if the truth were known, the owner would probably rather have a Buick. LOL Who wouldn't...

Dale in Indy

[Marty Roth]

Yes, Has the hood of a 1949 Ford...

[john2dameron]

49s had pull out handles. 50 had the thumb push button. 50 also still had the external trunk hinges, but the gas filler cap and the lettered hood give this car more of the 49 features.This convertible is 100% 50.

Dave, that is a beautiful photo of a beautiful car, the best looking of all the '49-'50-'51 Fords IMO.

[Guest my3buicks]

The yellow one kind of reminds me of a 2000 Ford Taurus - now I remember where they got the jelly bean look.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I like the 49 cause that's my year

[ex98thdrill]

49s had pull out handles. 50 had the thumb push button. 50 also still had the external trunk hinges, but the gas filler cap and the lettered hood give this car more of the 49 features.This convertible is 100% 50.

Was this picture taken at the Glenmore Gathering in Canton, Ohio??

[john2dameron]

I just noticed the ridges on the fender skirts. Back in that era I don't remember ever seeing skirts like that on a '49 but saw them often on '50's. Guess the owner of this '49 liked them.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Was this picture taken at the Glenmore Gathering in Canton, Ohio??

I can't tell you that, I just got it off the internet. Sounds like you recognize the setting.Other Makes : Bug Silver in Other Makes | eBay Motors

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Was this picture taken at the Glenmore Gathering in Canton, Ohio??

I can't tell you that, I just got it off the internet. Sounds like you recognize the setting.