Ford was the first among the Big Three to bring an all-new postwar car to market in 1949. Beating Chevrolet by six months and Plymouth by nine months, Ford’s 1949 models were in production and ready for delivery to the public in June 1948. Its reward was to claim the distinction of America’s number one auto manufacturer with an increase of over 300 percent from 1948 in an extended 16-month selling period.

The cars were fondly nicknamed the “shoebox” Fords, thanks to their striking new looks with slab-sided bodies and flush-mounted fenders. Despite the nomenclature, the new cars were easily the most modern looking of the Big Three low-priced cars for 1949 and the public responded accordingly with 31,412 deliveries of the new Station Wagon.

The new Ford featured an all-steel structure that virtually stopped the typical squeaking and much of the wind noise associated with the previous wood-bodied wagons. The design was much less complicated with bolt-on, replaceable wood panels in lieu of those that were structurally part of the car. The new wagon used a steel frame while wood parts were bonded together by a microwave process that squeezed a mixture of phenolic resin-coated wood pieces together to form a frame blank. Similarly, the panels were crafted by a layer of maple over an inner layer of ash. The roof, too, was now made from steel. Ford offered its latest wagon in the higher-priced Custom series, though only as a two-door model from 1949 to 1951.

This 1949 Ford offers the best of old and new: vintage looks with modern drivetrain and updated conveniences. Under the hood resides a late-model 302 cubic-inch small-block V-8 with performance upgrades. These include an Edelbrock aluminum intake, Rochester four-barrel carburetor, auxiliary fan, and dual exhaust. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission with floor shifter. Further improving drivability are power steering and power front disc brakes, air conditioning, and auxiliary gauges.

Finished in Coronation Red over a brown and tan interior, classic elements like a windshield visor, wood-grained dash with clock, sliding rear windows, and a rear-mounted spare with metal cover enhance the classic look. Proper wheel covers and trim rings along with wide whitewall tires complete the presentation. Some photos taken during restoration are included, along with the original owner’s and radio manuals, 1948 New Car Delivery Report, 1948 Owner’s Service Certificate, and a 1949 repair order.