Ford Custom

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Ford Custom
Production period: 1949-1975
Class : upper middle class
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Previous model: Ford Super Deluxe , Ford Mainline
Successor: Ford Custom Deluxe , Ford Fairlane

The Ford Custom was a car model from Ford , which was built in model year 1949 as a top model, parallel to the Ford series . In 1957 the name was revived, but for the simplest equipment variant that was offered in parallel to the Fairlane model . The Fairlane also replaced the Custom in this role in 1960. The name reappeared in 1964, again for the simplest equipment variant. It wasn't until 1976 that the name finally disappeared.

Models year after year

Models 98HA and 98BA (1949)

Custom
models 98HA / 98BA
1950 Ford Custom Coupe.jpg
Production period: 1949
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé , convertible
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.7-3.9 liters
(70-74 kW)
Length: 4999 mm
Width: 1849 mm
Height:
Wheelbase : 2896 mm
Empty weight : 1326-1614 kg

In June 1948 Ford presented the successor to the Super Deluxe series as the “Custom Series”, while the simpler equipment variant was simply called the “ Ford Series ”. The Custom also took over the engines from its predecessor, an in-line six-cylinder with 3,703 cc that delivered 95 bhp (70 kW) at 3,300 rpm and a V8 engine with 3,917 cc that made 100 bhp (74 kW) at 3,600 / min.

The Custom was available as a 2 or 4-door sedan, 2-door club coupé, 2-door convertible or 3-door station wagon and, compared to its predecessor, featured the new, fashionable pontoon shape with integrated fenders.

In the following year, the series was replaced by the Custom Deluxe series . Of the first custom series, 914,291 copies were made.

Models A7, A8 and A9 (1957–1959)

Custom / Custom 300
models A7 / A8 / A9
Ford Custom Sedan Model A7 (1957)

Ford Custom Sedan Model A7 (1957)
Production period: 1957-1959
Body versions : Limousine , coupe
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.65–5.4 liters
(106–195 kW)
Length: 5121-5232 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 2946-2997 mm
Empty weight : 1425-1570 kg

In October 1956, the successor to the basic Mainline model was presented. The new model had a pronounced trapezoidal shape, individual headlights above the wide grille and clear tail fins with large, round taillights. It was available as a Custom and a slightly better equipped Custom 300 . Either a six-cylinder in-line engine with 3,654 cm³ displacement, the 144 bhp (106 kW) at 4,200 rpm, served as the engine. output or a V8 engine with 4,457 cm³ displacement, which at 4,500 rpm. 190 bhp (140 kW).

The Custom was available as a two- or four-door sedan or as a two-door business coupe, the Custom 300 only as a sedan.

In the 1958 model year the custom was discontinued; there was only the Custom 300, but in all three body styles. The two individual headlights were replaced by double headlights and the grille was a bit smaller. The six-cylinder engine gained 1 bhp, the V8 engine a whole 15 bhp to 205 bhp (151 kW).

In 1959, the stylistic changes were rather minor: a slightly more angular front and even larger round taillights. The wheelbase was increased from 116 ″ to 118 ″ and the V8 engine only produced 200 bhp (147 kW), but already at 4,400 rpm.

In three years, 1,351,093 Custom and Custom 300 were built. In the following year, the Ford Fairlane , which had previously been produced in parallel, replaced the Custom 300.

Model V (1964–1975)

Custom / Custom 500
Model V
Ford Custom 500.jpg
Production period: 1964-1975
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.7-4.95 liters
(72-162 kW)
Length: 5331-5690 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 3023-3073 mm
Empty weight : 1485-2169 kg

In September 1963, the new Custom replaced the Ford 300 as the simplest model. The tail fins had disappeared, giving way to the sober design of the 1960s. What remained were the double headlights and the huge, round taillights. The in-line six-cylinder engines had a displacement of 3,654 cm³ and developed 138 bhp (101 kW) at 4,200 rpm, the V8 engines had 4,261 cm³ displacement and achieved 164 bhp (121 kW) at 4,400 rpm.

The Custom was only available as a 2- or 4-door sedan, as was the better-equipped Custom 500 .

In 1965 came a completely new styling. The twin headlights now sat one above the other at the ends of the wide radiator grille with vertical chrome bars. The new six-cylinder engine had 3,933 cc and developed 150 bhp (110 kW) at 4,000 / min., The V8 engine had been bored out to 4,736 cc and delivered 200 bhp (147 kW) at 4,400 / min.

Only small changes to the grille were seen on the 1966 models. Technically everything stayed the same. Even in 1967 there were small changes to the front of the vehicle.

In the 1968 model year, another major overhaul was due: The front featured a wide V-shaped radiator grille with twin headlights set in side by side. An elegant “hip swing” had crept over the rear wheel cutouts. There were few technical changes; only the V8 engine now produced 5 bhp less (195 bhp / 143 kW at 4,600 rpm).

In 1969, the exterior of the custom models was smoothed; In contrast to the previous year, the grille was straight again and had a chrome frame. There were also significant technical changes: The wheelbase grew by 2 ″ to 121 ″ and the old 289 Challenger V8 was replaced by an engine with 302 cu.in. (4,948 cm³) displacement replaced. It made 220 bhp (162 kW) at 4,600 rpm. After the station wagon series was discontinued, the Custom came with a 5-door station wagon with 6 seats called the Ranch Wagon , which was also available as the Custom 500 . In this better configuration, it was also available with 10 seats (on three bench seats).

A slight stylistic revision was also due in 1970: the double headlights disappeared into the dark cavities of the massive radiator grille, which had a prominent central section. The Custom 500 was abandoned, as was the two-door sedan, the six-cylinder models were only available as four-door sedans.

In 1971 the Custom 500 came back and both models featured a radiator grille with a wide, strongly protruding center section, framed by the twin headlights. Both model series were available as a 4-door sedan or a 5-door ranch wagon with 6 seats. Both the six-cylinder and the V8 had lost 10 bhp each while the displacement remained the same and now developed 140 bhp (103 kW) and 210 bhp (154 kW).

There were only a few changes in 1972. Only the front bumper was made a little more massive.

In 1973 another major change was due. The double headlights now sat in rectangular frames next to the radiator grille, which stretched between them in a fashionable "box" design. The custom was gone; there was only the better equipped Custom 500 . The old 240 six-cylinder had had its day and was replaced by a 250 cu.in. (4,096 cm³) displacement replaced. However, it only made 120 bhp (88 kW) at 3,200 rpm.

The following year there was a revised front of the vehicle with a massive bumper that complied with the new safety guidelines. The vehicle corners with the vertical indicators and the middle third of the radiator grille were pulled forward, while the remaining parts of the vehicle front with the double headlights were set back. The six-cylinder now developed 124 bhp (91 kW).

In 1975, the final year of the Custom, there were again no stylistic changes. Only the six-cylinder engine had lost a lot of power again and only delivered 98 bhp (72 kW) at 3,900 rpm, a measure that is probably to be understood as an exaggerated reaction to the oil crisis and the resulting demands for lower fuel consumption.

1,685,659 Custom and Custom 500 were built in 12 years.

Web links

Commons : Ford Custom  - collection of images, videos and audio files

literature

  • Gunnell, John (editor): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 , Krause Publications Inc., Iola (2002), ISBN 0-87349-461-X .