1951 Ford Custom Deluxe

This 1951 Ford Custom DeLuxe has won at least as many awards as ‘Oppenheimer’ and has more medals, ribbons and gongs to its name than a North Korean General.

It is a multiple winner of the ultra-prestigious Dearborn award in the US – a coveted concours trophy that says this car is officially, certifiably pretty much the best of the best and is as correct and functional as it is stunning to behold.

It is in quite superb condition, inside, outside and underneath, and it’s so mechanically accomplished that you’ll struggle to believe that it’s now 73 years old.

The vendor bought it in 2017 and imported it to the UK. It had previously been the subject of an exceptionally high-quality, ground-up, bare metal restoration in the US, which was carried out to standard that allowed it to win so many awards.

The vendor bought it as a birthday present for his wife, who hails from Central America. 

Her father bought one of these brand-new in 1951 and her first trip in it was on the way back home from the maternity ward where she was born.

The car has covered several thousands of miles both in the US and here in the UK since being restored, so while its condition and quality are entirely beyond reproach, it is arguably no longer at the absolute peak of its concours supremacy.

Today, the car has an alternator (but it still has a 6-volt battery), a fuel pump, a line pressure gauge, and full rust-proofing treatment - by way of entirely acceptable concessions to modernity.

It has also had a higher compression 1953 Mercury block fitted.

But it has retained the majority of its original features including, quite remarkably, a still functioning valve radio.

We have driven the car and can attest to its phenomenal comfort and ride quality. 

The car doesn’t have PAS, but the steering is only noticeably heavy during low-speed manoeuvres.

The Ford-O-Matic gearbox is smoother than Cary Grant listening to jazz in a cocktail lounge.

The condition of the bodywork is really extremely good and there are no creases, dents, crumples or other aberrations of significance in evidence.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are nothing short of a revelation in a car that rolled off the production line in 1951. 

The doors close with degrees of weight, authority and precision that would be impressive in a modern car built at Zuffenhausen by lasers and robots, never mind something that’s 73 years-old and was built by people called Chuck and Billy-Bob.

The glossy and lustrous blue paintwork is following the same script in terms of unimpeachable quality and condition.

The car’s wheels are excellent and very handsome, and the tyres appear to have plenty of life left in them. 

The lights, lenses, badging, windows and other exterior fixtures and fittings all seem to be beyond reproach.

All of the car’s brightwork is gleaming, shiny and untroubled by any signs of foxing, pitting or tarnishing.

In short, it’s all good – wherever you cast your critical gaze.

It’s a similar story of excellence and amazing condition on the inside. 

The grey velour upholstery has resisted the vicissitudes of time with commendable pluck and stoicism, both front and back.

The seats offer space, comfort and support in equal and welcome measure.

The door cards, too, are very fine.

Ditto the carpets and mats.

If we were being picky, we’d point to a couple of small creases in the headlining. 

But we’re not, so we won’t.

As far as we and the vendor are aware, all knobs, dials, buttons and switches do as they’re told without complaint or unwanted displays of attitude.

All controls are intact, pristine, functional and fine.

The time-warp condition of the interior transcends mere visual aesthetics – this car even smells new.

Everything in the engine bay appears to be clean, dry, right and proper, including the period-correct copper paint. 

Never mind a mechanic’s survey, we’d give it 5 stars on a food hygiene report. 

The undersides of the car look to have plenty of structural integrity. 

This car comes with all manner of history, including bills, receipts, invoices, correspondence, photographs, manuals, trophies and other miscellany covering various parts of its long and illustrious life.

Pour yourself a stiff drink, settle into your favourite chair, and start reading.

As you might imagine, we see a lot of cars passing through the majestic portals of our Oxfordshire HQ.

Inevitably, some of us like some cars more than others. 

One person might salivate and drool over an XK120, another will swoon at the sight of a Subaru WRX.

There’s simply no accounting for taste.

But, to a man and a woman, we all love this fabulous Ford Custom DeLuxe and will be sorry to see it go.

You really do have to pinch yourself to believe that this car left the factory in 1951 – the year Marlon Brando was in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Mel Blanc’s ‘I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat’ was at No.1 in the hit parade for three weeks, and Harry S. Truman was in the White House.

That it’s survived at all is both impressive and surprising. 

That’s it’s in this astounding mechanical and aesthetic condition and an complete joy to drive is nothing short of a miracle.

What an utterly wonderful car.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £13,000 - £18,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.