The 1949 models showcased the first new designs for Ford since World War II had ended. Some of the design elements even included aircraft-inspired trim, like a distinctive front grille with a central “spinner.” Our Pick of the Day is a car that rolled off the showroom floor over 75 years ago and is still on the road: It’s a 1949 Ford 2-Door Convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Burlington, Ontario. (Click here to view the listing.)
“A true American classic from the post-war era,” the listing says. “I’ve owned the car for over 20 years, and it has always been garage kept and properly maintained.”
According to historical information from Ford, the 1949 models were of particular significance. The company produced 1,118,762 vehicles that year – a strong recovery from the challenging times of the war. The article reads, “The car was unveiled to the public at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on June 10, 1948. The 1949 Ford won the Fashion Academy award for overall styling. It was advertised as Car of the Year, and its innovative body styling drew in buyers in great numbers.”
Leveraging that “Car of the Year” publicity, Ford included similar language in its magazine articles from the time. Many of them said, “There’s a new Ford in your future,” and talked about the car’s “sofa-wide” seats, optimal visibility, 19 cubic feet of luggage space, “mid-ship” ride, coil-sprung suspension, and available engine choices.
This drop-top is well-presented; some of the features on its streamlined exterior include chrome bumpers, body side moldings, an antenna, a split windshield, rear wheel skirts, a black retractable top, a dual exhaust system, and wide-whitewall tires. The cabin has two bench seats upholstered in saddle-colored vinyl, with matching trim used for the door panels and carpeting.
Up front is a flathead V8 mated to a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. The listing doesn’t mention the car’s engine’s displacement, so we’ll encourage interested buyers to verify that important detail with the seller, but it is possibly a 239ci flathead that was used in cars of the era and produced around 95 horsepower.
“Smooth, drives great, and gets attention everywhere it goes,” the listing says. “Perfect for cruising, shows, or collectors who appreciate originality and clean presentation.”
Find out what made this Ford “Car of the Year.” Better yet, make it your new car of 2026. The asking price is $25,000 USD or best offer.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
