Lowered, whitewalls, custom paint, and a V8. This particular 1951 Ford is an absolute clinic in postwar hotrodding. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)

The 1949 Ford was the first new full-size car design from the Blue Oval after World War II, as the company retooled from the War Effort. The blank page approach ushered in a host of modern features, notably a sleek, contemporary exterior—which Ford called the “Lifeguard” body, but hotrodders quickly nicknamed “Shoebox” thanks to its slab-side styling.

We’re calling this a 1951 because of the “Dual Bullet” grille and bumper treatment that was unique to the 1951 model year. The word “Custom” is on the fender spear too. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)

First revealed to the public in June of 1948, these Fords were only produced for the 1949 to 1951 model years and came in a coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon (the latter which still featured wood paneling on the body). You could choose either a Ford 226 L-head six or the venerable 239 Ford Flathead V8.

Though side-mount “Lake Pipes” are a popular choice for Shoebox Fords, these fishtail exhaust tips are a delightful alternative. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)

Despite their short 1949-51 production run, Ford Shoebox coupes and Woody wagons quickly became popular with the street rod and custom crowds, being used as canvasses for everything from stripped-down street machines to candy paint lowriders.

Take special note of the louvered hood here. It’s a hotrodder’s trademark that’s extraordinarily difficult to do correctly, requiring precision stamps for each individual louver with no margin for error. This Shoebox nails the look perfectly. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)

So when we saw this 1951 edition roll into the Summit Racing Retail Store outside Akron, Ohio a while back, we had to run out and snap some pics. And in honor of the Shoebox Ford’s June 1948 reveal date, we figured now would be a good time to show you—enjoy!

And what classic hotrod would be complete without a set of “Frenched” taillights. (Image/OnAllCylinders – Patrick Miller)

Keywords
Ford, Hot rod, Lot Shots, Shoebox
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Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.