1949 Ford Single Spinner Utility

Description

Like virtually every American car manufacturer, Ford’s immediate post-war offerings were mildly updated versions of their 1942 models and little changed from 1946 until 1948.  It took until 1949 for the Blue Oval to develop an all-new design, based around a brand new chassis wrapped in a cleanly-style, aerodynamic new shape.  Underneath the same six-cylinder and flathead V8 engines remained but the transverse springs were done away with, replaced by coil springs up front and longitudinal springs at the rear for a much improved ride.  Two trim levels were available in 1949, the base level and more upmarket Custom and – for American customers at least – the model range consisted of both two and four-door sedans, Club Coupe, convertible and stylish Station Wagons with timber-panelling.  Fed by a Holley two-barrel carburettor, the well-proven V8 was rated at 100 horsepower at 3600rpm, allied to a three-speed column-change manual gearbox with automatic overdrive optional.  Ford’s Australian arm famously pioneered the first Coupe Utility in 1934, starting a tradition that continued for many decades and the so-called ‘Single Spinner’ 1949 model’s styling was particularly suited to the concept.  Offered in both standard and Custom models, the latter proved far more popular and 1,960 were sold in 1949 according to one set of figures.  Surviving examples of this uniquely Australian ute are few and far between, particularly in original condition such as the example offered here and they make fantastic club cars, with plenty of support available to owners.