This Custom 1949 Ford Traveled Coast to Coast Before Being Finished
If one custom shoebox Ford is good, two must be better, right? That’s the reasoning Dave Wixson used when buying this chopped 1949 Ford. He already had a mild custom ’51 Ford convertible in the garage – in a similar dark-red hue – and figured this sedan would be a fitting companion for it.
“The car was originally on the West Coast – California,” Dave says. “Ryan Kopchinski purchased it, and had it shipped to Maryland where the build took place with help from his friends and family. It was already chopped but was still a rolling shell when he purchased it. I followed his build for several years online and when he purchased a Merc to build, he decided to sell me the shoebox, returning it to the West Coast.
It’s easy to see why Dave was smitten with this custom. The top chop – 5-inches in front, 7-inches in the rear – is beautifully proportioned and well executed. The other metal mods are equally thoughtful and tasteful and include rounded door and trunk corners, a shaved and peaked hood, frenched headlights and taillights, shaved trim and handles, a smoothed firewall, and custom inner fenders. Credit for the metalwork goes to Pat Guthrie and Roy Jordan, with Dave Cornwell and DC Hot Rods handling the bodywork and the rich PPG Merlot Jewel finish.
The original Ford frame received a lot of updates to achieve its low-down stance. Jamco tubular upper and lower control arms, dropped spindles, and air springs enhance the front end, with a Gambino Kustoms Taildragger Kit out back locating the 8-inch rearend. Jamco front disc brakes are paired with the rear drums, while Coker wide whitewalls are wrapped around 15-inch steel wheels topped with Cadillac Sombrero wheel covers.
The smoothed engine compartment of the 1949 Ford surrounds a well-detailed 302c.i. small-block V8 with a polished intake, Holley four-barrel carb, electronic ignition, and finned aluminum accessories. The dual exhaust sounds just right through glasspack mufflers, and a C4 automatic transmission delivers reliable shifting.
Traditional custom style has been carried over inside, where the original dash and garnish moldings are painted to match the body and Evolution Creatives has stitched maroon and white rolls and pleats over original front and rear seats. A Crestliner steering wheel adds some flair, as does the Lokar swan-neck shifter. A Haneline instrument cluster updates the original speedometer.
Dave’s 1949 Ford serves as a great reminder that patience can pay off and will sometimes provide the opportunity to purchase the car of your dreams. He says he’s enjoying cruising this chopped custom with his son, Ryan, and other friends, and looks forward to more fun on the road in the future.
Photos: Damon Lee, Terry Lysak
