1959 Ford Custom 300 Tudor Sedan - Mostly Original - See Listing - NO RESERVE!

Description

On October 17, 1958, Ford Motor Company launched the 1959 model year line-up, which by the end of the year, featured seven different series and 23 different models (including the new “Galaxie”, “Courier”, and “Ranchero”). A total of 1,413,994 passenger cars (except “T-bird”) sold for the model year.

All passenger car models (except “T-bird”) were now on a 118” WB full frame chassis. This was also the first year that no Ford model(s) could be had for under $2000.

Most notably, Ford received huge accolades at the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium that year by handily winning a prestigious automotive design award known as the “Gold Medal for Exceptional Automotive Styling”. Evidently, critics of automotive design the world over liked the Ford offerings more than any other for the 1959 model year. These truly are exceptionally-styled automobiles. They differ immensely from the previous and next year’s models. Classics!

The Custom 300 was the baseline model in the Ford line-up for 1959. Available as a two or four door sedan (“Tudor” or “Fordor” in Ford-speak), was the base-line model for buyers who wanted a no-frills automobile. Most options available on the Fairlane, Fairlane 500, Galaxie, Ranch Wagon, Country Sedan, Country Squire, and Ranchero could be ordered for these cars.

On the exterior, the Custom 300 can easily be distinguished by the "F-O-R-D" letters on the hood, a unique trunk emblem incorporating the lock cylinder, and four jet-shaped rear quarter panel ornaments per side. In addition, no rear trunk moulding was used and side trim was at a minimum. Inside, all Custom 300 models used armrests only on the front doors; quarter trim panels or rear doors did not have them. Interiors featured rubber floor mats instead of carpet. Visors were unpadded and most of these cars had few options, most popular being a V8 engine, automatic transmission, power brakes and steering, a radio, and two-tone paint.

This particular car you're now seeing is a very early model. It was built in November of 1958. Sold new to a farmer from Iowa as a gift for his wife, this car spent the next 60 years with the same family. It has been lovingly cared for and just sold recently by the previous caretaker who retired and had other interests. The mileage on the odometer is 69,000-and-change. I cannot say whether this is accurate. The previous owner said it was, but in the interest of fair disclosure (and most state laws), the car is too old and will be labeled as "TMU" (True Mileage Unknown").

If you're interested in this car, please read further and know that the description will be a long one, but this car has many features a potential buyer needs to know about.

First, here is a decoding of the VIN and data plate...C9PG112XXX C- 292-2V 200 HP@4400 RPM (8.8:1 compression) 9 – 1959 Model Year P – Twin Cities Assembly Plant G – Custom 300 Series 112XXX – This was the 12,XXXnd vehicle built at Twin Cities for the 1959 model year BODY – 64F – Custom 300 Tudor Sedan COLOR H – Tahitian Bronze TRIM – 3 – Green Ribbed Vinyl Bolster & Green Random Block Fabric DATE – 11L – Built November 11, 1958 TRANS – 1 – 3-spd Manual B-W T85

The only option this car has is the V8 engine, displacing 292 cubic inches. Originally a two barrel carburetor, this engine now has an original cast iron intake manifold and matching carb from a 1956 Ford Y-block engine. I'm assuming this is the original engine for the car, but I'm not sure because my area of expertise is the Ford FE engines. However, the previous owner states that it is the original. Improvements over the years include adding electronic ignition and replacing spark plugs and wires during the conversion. The radiator has been re-cored recently and new hoses installed, so it should run cool with its new 160 degree thermostat. The fuel sender was also replaced at some point.

Starting with the exterior, the first thing you notice is the striking contrast of the Indian Turquiose and Pearl White Paint. The car was originally Tahitian Bronze, but the previous owner liked these colors better. Besides, they are colors that were available in 1959, except that the white now has a hint of a pearlescent appearance. In the right light, it's quite striking! The bumpers have been replated and many of the weatherstripping has been replaced. The only thing that needs attention on the exterior is the windshield has a small chip on the right side and some of the stainless mouldings have some small imperfections. The previous owner told me the car was rarely driven in winter and stayed inside for the most part all other times of the year as well. By a very brief inspection, the car's body looks okay. I had planned on getting the car on a lift, but I didn't. I also have the car stored off-premise from my home, so it's not convenient to go look at it to answer specific questions.

Inside, the car still has its original upholstery on the back seat and the door and quarter trim panels are original. The front seat was redone with a similar material that looks good, but upon close inspection, does not match the rear seat. SMS Auto Fabrics does have the correct material, so you could easily match them if you wanted to. The carpet was added a few years ago and doesn't fit exactly right in a few places. It looks "lumpy" and "bunched up" in places. Originally, the Custom 300 had rubber floor mats. They're available as reproductions, and this is what I was going to do. The headliner has a few stitches that need repairing, but nothing serious. The visors are original and could probably stand to be replaced, but not urgently. The interior could use a thorough detailing and cleaning to really make it look good. I had planned on doing that and replacing the visors, but never got to it. There's also a hidden radio under the front seat, but I was going to remove it when I got the seat re-done, so I don't know, and didn't care, if it works.

In the trunk, the mat has been replaced with a reproduction. The spare tire and full jack assembly are fully intact, which is rare in most old cars!

Mechanically, the car has had the brakes re-done (according to the previous owner - I have not verified, but the car stops well). The engine starts immediately and reaches operating temperature quickly. It seems to have decent power and the transmission shifts well. As you'd expect, a car this big can be a chore to drive at low speed without power steering, but on the road, it's got a good, solid feel. In my opinion, Fords from this era with power steering are a bit too touchy and often leak, so I was fine without this option. The radial tires are still 14 inchers mounted on original wheels that were repainted turquoise. The previous owner says they're nearly new. The car has rear air shocks because after 60 years, the rear leaf springs don't keep the rear end level, but with the help of these shocks, it really helps.

I have not had the car long. I planned on improving the car a bit at a time while driving it, but this past weekend, Goodguys Hot Rod Association had their final-of-the-season car show and I found a car there that already had disc brakes, air conditioning, full instrumentation, etc. These were all things I wanted to do to this beautiful '59, but now I'll make it available for someone else. The next owner may be more of a purist and would not add these things, but believe me, if you live in Phoenix, you NEED A/C!

I have a complete set of showroom literature (except the Color & Upholstery book) that are all in excellent condition that I'll give to the new owner.

Let me conclude by saying that this car is not perfect, nor am I eluding that it is. What it is, though, is a fine example of a 60 year old classic car that can be enjoyed as-is, do additional restoration work to while still driving it, or use this as a start to a full-on frame-off resto or hot rod. If you're serious about the car, please come inspect it in person yourself or hire an inspector to do so in your place. My idea of a decent old car may not coincide with yours, so it's always best to see it for yourself.

This is a no-reserve auction and as soon as someone places the opening bid, it WILL sell. Any and all costs associated with transporting the car will be the sole responsibility of the buyer. However, I will assist in getting the car loaded safely and can keep it garaged for up to 30 days past the auction's end to allow arrangements to be made. The car will not be eleased to the buyer until all funds have cleared.

Please contact me if you'd like more info. I'll do my best to get back to you soon. Thanks for your interest. Good luck bidding!