The 1949 Ford was unveiled at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York on June 10, 1948. It won an award from the New York Fashion Academy for its innovative styling, and it also won the hearts of many Americans. Over one million units were sold that model year, and one of them is now featured on AutoHunter. The 1949 Ford Custom Convertible is listed for sale by a dealer in Annandale, Minnesota.
The 1949 Ford captured the nation’s optimism as the automaker’s first new design since the end of World War II. Manufacturing was shifting away from a military focus and toward everyday consumers, and the 1949 Ford became a staple of Americana. The car’s body boasted a slab-sided (sometimes called “shoebox”) look as opposed to having distinct fenders with running boards between them. There were other innovations, too, like an independent front suspension.
The Nebraska City News Press ran a story that said, “These are the first pictures of the new 1949 Ford cars. They show a radical change from previous models, featuring a sweeping silhouette so low that rear fenders have been eliminated.”
Exterior features include an aircraft-inspired grille, chrome bumpers, black retractable top, antenna, split windshield, driver side mirror, body side moldings, fender skirts, continental kit, dual exhaust outlets, and steel wheels wrapped in wide whitewall tires.
Interior features include red and black vinyl upholstery, lap belts, aluminum door sills, push-button AM radio, clock, manual-crank windows, and trunk mat.
Under the hood is a 239ci V-8 with dual single-barrel carburetors, and the transmission is a three-speed manual with overdrive. An aluminum radiator and electric fan have been installed. The odometer shows 7,249 miles, although the title reads mileage-exempt.
It is fitting that we appreciate the iconic deign (and cultural significance) of the 1949 Ford on Independence Day, because the car truly marked a high point in not only the automotive industry but in America’s post-war culture. This top-down cruiser would be right at home in summertime parades and excursions.
“Come in, see it, drive it. You’ll agree the new 1949 Ford is everything the fashion experts say,” dealers said. And the car remains just as fashionable today, 77 years later.
The auction for this 1949 Ford Custom Convertible ends Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
