Well its like this Man,Back when the 49 ford came out they were dubbed shoeboxes because of the 1/4 panel was just that,not a fender or a caddy or chevy style 1/4. And when I was a kid a shoebox was the car to have,it was the car
Shoebox = Chevy Never heard a Ford called a shoebox till I got on the HAMB. This was really bugging me a couple of years ago so over the summer at various car shows, runs etc. I asked 100 people to make it a even, and fairly large number. I can't remember the exact number but it was like 20 for Ford and the rest all Chevy. Also at the latest runion of old timers I asked the question. The answer was chevy, so I asked what they called Fords when they came out. there was a moment then one cat said "**** boxes, I think thats what your thinking of!" I fell out laughing.... But in the end who cares, both are cool in my book.
I missed this post the first round.... But I'm a huge fan of the Harry Bradley designed Sam Foose built 1949 Ford sedan. The car was originally started by Don Lowe, but later sold to Sam Foose who wanted to built it for himself... but later sold the project to a neighborhood friend who had Sam finish it for him. Original Designs for the car. The top was chopped, the erea below the side windows till the beltline removed. Windshield angled back and the body pie-cut sectioned. Paul Kelly Photos... Check out the fantastic workmanship on the grille.
Thank you, Rik; an outstanding review of this outstanding car. Although I liked 49-50 Fords from the date of their introduction, and have owned mine for 18 years, I never heard the term "shoebox" applied to them until around 1990. As for the term being used for tri-five Chevys -- well, that's just wrong.
LOVE IT! Imagine the work in just door hinges WOW! With the pie cut section. Grill is awesome, m*** hours in that alone.
I don't know who you are, but I don't think we're gonna get along. I mentioned the names to clarify its origins (not incidentally, a bunch of very capable guys), not because they're "big". As for lawson87's original post: buy that thing. '54 sedans are nice looking cars and no longer very common; some restoration and mild customizing would have it looking great.
The Bradley Shoebox is one of the best customs I've ever seen!! I don't care who built it. P. S. we were calling 1949 Fords "SHOEBOX" the day they came out! My Dad bought one! Yes, I was there when we drove it home..OLDBEET
I think i know where that one is sitting. If its the same one im thinking of, ****** that baby up!! Kim pointed it out to me, said it would make a cool ride.---If your a ford guy that is!!
im pending my dads yea or nea. since its going to be going in his new shop. but im still on the hunt for a 32ish ford cab. toby.
dude i have a.d.d. i want everything darn near. i did find a 50 club coupe. 22K original miles runs and drives. still has the flathead in it with the 3 speed. very little rust. im going to try to go look at it this weekend. hes asking $3600. but im going to look at some other things this weekend also. we will see. i need to pukk the trigger on something. im getting bored. toby.
that bradley car looked good in the photos by itself..... as soon as I saw the proportions with a person standing next to it, it looks like a MG....... these "what is a shoebox" threads are a dime a dozen here
it was a more im looking for a lead on one and to clarify the years for me. but i think a bunch of things have been overdone one here. thanks-tho. toby.
Shoebox is a 49 - 51 ford. The name was meant to be an insult because the 49-51 cheveys were rounded.
54 fords are great beginnings for a family sled/street car. A later FE motor [390 style] bolts in. I'm told granada disc brake spindles, hubs and discs also bolt-on. They're a light [2300 lbs or so] car that will give great performance and look good, even with a simple nose and deck operation. I still want one.
Rocky, I can't imagine that they are that light. My '51 Vic weighed 3400# on a certified scale before it had all the stuff in it that's there now. Cool cars anyway!
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