The 1950 Ford Coupe had the same classy body style as the 1949 model

except for a few minor changes. The Ford lettering on the hood was

replaced by the Ford "Coat of Arms" emblem. Turn signal lights were

added to the lower front grille. The shiny bullet nose remained.

The major changes Ford made in 1949, brought sales up tremendously

for the auto maker. They dropped their use of the cross style frame for the

ladder style frame chassis. Coil springs replaced the traverse leaf springs.

They advertised their new chassis design as "The Lifeguard Body". The

wheelbase of 114 inches remained the same, with the engine moved

forward by 5 inches, allowing for more passenger room.

The 1950 Ford Coupe was sporty as well as stylish. It came with the

newly designed six cylinder 95 horsepower engine, or the powerful

flathead V8 at a 100. The transmission choices were 3 speed manual,

or optional overdrive. The Ford Coupe came in two body styles. There

was the six passenger Club Coupe with a back seat and front split bench

seat, and the single bench seat Coupe that was advertised as the

"Businessman's Car". The area where the back seat should have been

gave the owner added cargo space.

The convertible Ford Coupe was a beauty. It had two more interior and

exterior color choices than the other Coupes. You could choose Matador

Red Metallic exterior paint, with Matador red leather interior, and

Sportsman Green Metallic with black leather interior. Some optional exterior

body features were wheels in the same body paint color, and chrome trim

around the windshield and back window.

Standard interiors in the Club Coupe had gray metallic instrument panel

and dash. Standard interior upholstery came in gray and rust striped mohair,

or gray and blue stripes on gray broadcloth. The one seater Coupe standard

interior dash color was also gray. The standard interior colors were almost

the same with the exception of the broadcloth color being tan instead of gray.

More expensive interior choices were two tone tan leather, tan leather with

Bedford cord, red and black all leather, or the combination of leather and

Bedford cord. Many custom body colors were available.

The newly designed chassis, body, and powerful engines of the 1949-1951

Fords were reputed to be the cars that saved Ford. It was the post war boost

that the industry needed. Ford began its new slogan, "There's a Ford in your future".

These Cars were loved by hotrodders and the general public alike for their sleek

look and powerful engines. My father drove a shiny black businessman's Coupe

for many years. If you are lucky enough to find one for sale today, you can expect

to pay a "lot more" than my Father did in the 50's.

Learn more about this author, Mary Vance.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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