Technical 1950 ford daily driver?

"Hitchhiker", may I ask how tall you are? (You don't have to answer if you don't want to.) I ask because about 10 years after I got my '51, I built a '36 3-window, the car I had dreamed about since 9th grade. Merc engine, hydraulic brakes, '39 box; everything I wanted. I thought it was going to replace the '51 as my "everyday summer car", but it didn't. The bottom line is that it was too cramped inside, and the lack of a back seat and trunk (it had a rumble seat) made it totally impractical for (at least my) daily use. Being that you have a truck takes care of a place to carry larger things, but I hear the cabs on those are even more cramped than my coupe was. I have a friend with a '36 Dodge pickup that I have to contort myself to get into just to ride. He's a smaller guy 5'7 and kinda skinny, so he does OK. I'm only 6' 225, but the '36 was just to damned small. I also had a problem with the skinny steering wheel where my hands would cramp up after an hour or so of driving. The '36 went on to a new home after about 5 years, while I still have the '51. All in all, the '51, being 15 years newer, is a much more refined vehicle and shows it.

 

I'm glad you said that, that's the same logic I'm applying to my situation. By the way, your rig looks amazing

 

I hope you guys are right, because I'm thinking about a 50 Plymouth 2 dr. sedan as a daily driver to replace my 2013 Chrysler 200 S model. My wife has a PT Cruiser as a backup but I'd drive this Plymouth anywhere. It has one of the T-5 conversions done but otherwise it's bone stock. So I think a 50 Ford should be fine, like someone said in 1950 they were daily drivers, why not now?

 

It's educational, for sure. You'll quickly realize that many if not most or all the advances in automotive technology were driven by the need to remove the requirement to periodically adjust or replace certain components. Brake shoes went to a self-adjuster mechanism for example. Generators went away because of the need for higher output, but periodic brush replacement and sticking cutouts didn't help. Points and condenser gave way to solid state ignition, spark plug life was increased dramatically. Some modern engines can go 150k plus on a set of plugs, and on some models it's best not to even **** with them. Sealed bearings no longer have zerks. Batteries are sealed and no longer have provision for watering. Long life coolant, synthetic brake fluid... Everything is trending toward "No User Serviceable Parts Inside" and disposable cars. The internal combustion engine will be obsoleted before that point but that's basically the idea.

Way too much BS to work on anything anymore, the cost of doing business is high so labor rates are too.

 

Geezzzz, from the sounds of this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ we should all just give up and haul off everything pre 1990 for S****. If it's to much bother for you I bet there are other auto related sights you may find better suited.
The Wizzard

 

my neighbor in his 50 Ford.....he's been driving it daily since the 50's.......he put a third headlight in the middle where the V/8 pod is...kinda hard to catch up with him.....his plate is 50Ford....

 

I think maybe a reading comprehension course would suit you even better, if that's what you got out of what I wrote, I can't help you. LOL!!

 

I guess I need that course also. I read it three times and came to the same conclusion. But that's neither here nor there, my point is that I enjoy the part about changing plugs and adjusting the brakes etc. etc. I think the question is that is it reasonable to drive a 67 year old car as a daily driver and I think that with a few safety upgrades it is. My 2013 Chrysler is the nicest car I've ever owned, and it's also the most boring. Can't wait to get rid of it.

 

Well my fingers sometimes can't keep up with my thoughts, ha ha.

Would you agree manufacturers have made an effort over the years to decrease the amount of maintenance required?

 

Truck, maybe you should proof read prior to hitting post. Also just think about what Old Cars are all about. Personally I don't care how service Free new cars are. New cars have No cl*** and all blend together in a Sea of who gives a ****. I've been driving cars that are more than 67 years old as of now by choice. No Complaints!
The Wizzard
Yes I proof read this.

 

Oregon daily driver? Hell, my buddys and I drove shubox fords in high school when it was "fashionable" to drive 55-7 chevys and fords. We never had or even heard of cooling problems with flathead V/8s. In a drag race the OHV guys would beat us but the flatheads gave steady, reliable performance with a great exhaust note using a pair of gl*** packs.
My dad use to brag up his dad's 50 club coupe. Had a V/8 overdrive and my dad used it to drive from northern Oregon [The Dalles] to Eureka California...said he was able to get 24 MPG with it....
1950 is a good year because 50 still had hardened valve seats. I think it was 52 when they stopped that practice.
PS...keep the front end and U-joints greased and oil changed.

 

Old cars are good for a DD if you are willing to put up with having to work on them more often than modern cars. I'm still sorting out my '59 Ford after a year and 3000 miles but it is quite reliable. It lacks creature comforts that we all have been spoiled by. I retire in a few years, the plan is to mainly drive old cars. I'd think about getting a 2nd old car so the chances of one always working would be high.

 

No doubt about that my friend, as they have also made it near impossible to fix anything that goes bad. I agree that the cars are light years better then they were 60 or 70 years ago, just not as much fun.

 

Can you point to anything I wrote that isn't true?

Just because I'm pointing out the obvious doesn't mean I like it.

 

Joseph, its very do-able, especially given your mechanical skills

I used to have a pair of daily drivers to choose from - my wifes 37 Topolino and my 48 Chev pickup. Neither were stock tho, as Im just not a restorer unlike many on here.

I banged up the Topo so my wife banned me from that one, and eventually I sold the pickup and immediately had sellers regret.

Sure modern type cars are way easier to drive - powersteer, powerbrakes, fizz windows and air are great, but nothing brings a smile to your face like driving your old hot rod to work every day.

Its just good for the soul.

 

No reason not to drive one daily.... I have been driving my 52 f1 daily, year round for just shy of a decade and over 140,000 miles. The salt eats the metal every winter but I keep cutting out rust and welding in new metal as needed.

 

I had an interesting experience today. My '51 has been out of service for over a year to get a new engine after almost 30 years of reliable use as a DD. I finally got it together today, and boy, does it run sweet. However, the first 3 miles from my shop to my home had me thinking "What the hell is wrong with this car?". It's not at all like driving a new car (or even my '67 Corvette). After a few miles, I became completely comfortble with it again and it's just like old times. Driving it for the first time after almost two years was kind of an eye-opener. It is a different experience.

 

Seems they're all over the cl***ifieds & reasonably priced drivers.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php?threads/1069422/

 

Sent from my SM-J700T1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

On these, I think body style has a lot to do with price. No offense intended to the owner of the two door sedan referenced on the linked post (it looks like a great car), but I had wanted a "Shoebox Ford" for many years. It seems that most that were available were the "Tudors", which I consider to be "awkward" looking. I really, really wanted a Victoria, but when a super original club coupe came up, I had to "step up" and I'm glad I did. Unless you're going to do a radical chop and a full custom, a two door is funny looking with the big rear windows and faux rear quarter windows. Hate me if you want, but I believe a Shoebox Two Door sedan is the "Red-Headed step-child" of the '49-'51 cars.

 

Joe, You are going down a good road to want to drive a 50 Ford coupe as a daily driver, just a low mileage one so you have a good solid car to start with. I wouldn't make overdrive a big deal unless you will be driving a freeway all the time but these old Fords will do 60- 65 all day. Another advantage to a low mile car is that the suspension is still good and the car will tract and ride down the road good. My car is really a good choice, driving it to your house would be a great trip. I hope you got enough pictures of it. Good luck and don't give up, I drove a shoe box everyday when I was a kid.