By 1950 American automotive innovation was gathering pace, for 1949 Ford introduced independent coil sprung front suspension to the Ford Custom Deluxe replacing the transverse leaf spring that had been around since at least the Model T.

For 1950 the Custom Deluxe motors received a new camshaft, timing gear and three blade cooling fan, these improvements did not noticeably improve the performance of the 100 hp L head V8 with three speed transmission and overdrive for high speed cruising.

A torsion bar was added to the front suspension and the steering linkage was improved to give “finger tip” control, though this was not power assisted.

Ford started more attention to the smaller details of the 1950 Ford Custom Deluxe introducing push button door handles with rotary latches, while economies were made within with only the drivers seat covered in leather while the rest were clad in vinyl.

The steel side panels were covered in Di-Noc imitation wood grain

The top of the range Ford Custom Deluxe woodie station wagon cost $2,107 new, this one, a former resident of Dana Point, CA, seen at Bonham’s auction at Goodwood Revival a couple of years ago was expected to fetch between £28,000 and £32,000.

Thanks for joining me on this “Push Button Door Handles” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !