1952 Ford Customline Club Coupe

Description

There are still plenty of interesting hobby cars out there that don't cost much money. Take a look at this handsome 1952 Ford Customline club coupe, which is a very attractive body style that was restored a few years ago to original specs. Not over-done, not modified, but a nice, clean little Ford with an unusual six-cylinder powerplant that has a lot of heart.

The colors are Desert Tan and Moroccan Brown, and they work rather well on this neat Ford coupe. Redesigned in 1952, the Fords had a very modern, sleek look and the club coupe with its wrap-around rear window was a sporting choice that still looks great today. The restoration is a few years old, but it's holding up well and the car wears an honest look that's certainly appropriate for Ford's best-seller. It's affordable, but a professional wet sand and buff would make it look a lot more expensive than it is and could really add value. Bodywork is decently done, and you'll note that the crease in the quarter panel above the fender is sharp, the gaps are good, and the panel alignment is quite good overall, suggesting a car that didn't need major reconstructive surgery. The front and rear bumpers were painted body color (it's possible that this is how they came from the factory, we can't find any documentation to confirm or deny), but the rest of the brightwork has been buffed up and looks great against the subtle Desert Tan paint. Blue dot taillights appear to be the only modification, but they're period-correct and old-school guys will smile when they see them.

The tan cloth interior has a very jaunty 1950s appeal to it, with striped seat covers and simple patterns throughout. There are a few signs of age and use, of course, because this is a car that gets used on a regular basis, but the simplicity is a big part of the appeal. A handsome steering wheel with a horn ring, an orderly instrument panel with an arched speedometer housing that would set Ford's styling trends for the rest of the '50s. Three-on-the-tree shifting makes it fun to drive and the original AM radio still lives in the dash. There's a good-sized back seat, which was why it was called a "club coupe" and a spacious trunk with rubber mat and full-sized spare make it a good choice for your next old car tour.

Most '52 Fords you see have a flathead V8, but in 1952, Ford introduced a thoroughly modern overhead-valve inline-six that displaced 215 cubic inches and made a robust 101 horsepower. That was nine fewer than the V8 but where the six excelled was in torque production and smoothness, and this car doesn't give up anything to its 8-cylinder siblings. The engine is nicely detailed with Ford Red paint and large oil bath air cleaner, which is also fitted with a reproduction decal that completes the look. Parts are still easy to find and there's no question that this is a reliable powerplant, going about its business without complaint. Brakes were recently serviced, including an upgrade to a dual-reservoir master cylinder for safety, as well as the usual stuff in the drums. The undercarriage is original, but there's no shame in that when it's in good condition and with 215/75/15 whitewall radials, it rides and handles rather well for being more than 60 years old.

Entry-level cars are out there and you don't need to start with a project or a goofy '70s 4-door. Get a '50s Ford with a lot of panache instead and calltoday!