Totally Rouge '51 Custom??

[Old Henry]

Just took an overnight trip with a friend of mine who had bought this '51 Custom a few years back. He knew the full history of it and said it had never been repainted, reupholsterered, re-engined or re-drivelined and had 63,000 original miles. It has only had the front carpet replaced. I'm inclined to believe him because I don't think he knows much of Ford clubs or the Barn nor the meaning of the word "Rouge" so wouldn't be making this up to impress me. I don't know much about these later Fords but it looks and sounds like to me he has a pretty amazing Rouge car in excellent condition. What do you think? Could it be?

[David J]

Definately NOT into the car show thing but that is a NICE CAR in my book . My Dad bought a brand new 1950 4d that he had until 1959 & I actually remember the car . He traded his 35 cabriolet in on it & got a whopping $125.00 for it complete with sears rebuilt motor.

[ford38v8]

From the pictures, it looks like not only a Rouge in all 3 areas, but concieveably a contender for a Dearborn. Judges hate to see such a great survivor going for point judging though, and having to nitpick it's condition, when actually it's the condition that makes it so great!

[Lawson Cox]

Awesome 51. Definitely a Rouge vehicle.

[Brendan]

looks like a nice car to me!

[felix37]

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Looks like a great car! would love to own it!

[Russ/40]

Sure looks correct. Amazing car. My 49 was like that, but the 51s are a much better car. The fit on my '49 was horrible. Early 49s, nothing fit right.

[jerry grayson]

VERY nice car!! The front bumper guards are missing, added dual exhaust, front carpet added (should be rubber mat) and I am not sure what the red light on the dash is.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by jerry grayson

VERY nice car!! The front bumper guards are missing, added dual exhaust, front carpet added (should be rubber mat) and I am not sure what the red light on the dash is.

He has front bumper gaurds he got off of ebay but they weren't as nice when he got them as they looked on ebay so need rechromed before installing.

The car started out as the car the city provided to the chief of police to use, not necessarily as a police car. It is believed that is the reason for two spot lights and dual exhaust. When the police chief retired the car was given to him as his personal car.

Paul (my friend that owns the car) said he knew something was not quite right about the front floor and maybe that was it - was originally rubber mat rather than carpet.

Thanks for the info. Paul will appreciate it.

(P.S. Just to add to the "ambience" of the police chief's car, Paul has installed a vintage siren in front of the radiator you can just see in the last engine photo. The siren is 12 volt and runs through an inverter. He also has a red light for the roof that I believe plugs into the lighter socket under the dash.)

[Cecil/WV]

Maybe the rubber mat is under the carpet.

[Mike51Merc]

Great car, but it looks like they stole my grandma's living room carpet from 1968!

[jaxV8carz]

I've seen one other Fordomatic with the red indicator light on the left end of the dash. Was told it was a reminder for the emergency brake, coulda been an aftermarket add-on. Beautiful car.

[FL&WVMIKE]

Old Henry ...................
Looks good to me !
It must have been kept in a plastic baggie.
MIKE

[Vic Piano]

That’s a really nice survivor. Hope he drives it and has fun with it.

[charles in east texas]

Wonder why they had to change the carb somewhere before 63,000?
You gotta watch some of these so-called unrestored cars.
Charles

[charles in east texas]

On second thought, maybe that was correct on a ford-0-matic. Charles

[Ford46]

Tell your friend to go to the EFV8CA Western Meet in Oregon and pick up his Rouge Plaque (most likely in all categories)!!!! Very nice car and in tremendous condition....LouB.

[sunshine]

he better find some front bumper guards ,rubber mats ,the carb. has adash pot for the FORDAMATIC. or he could go for apartial rouge.SUNSHINE

[3738]

My 37 Tudor picked up the Rouge award in all categories.

IIRC, you can have some minor changes/inconsistencies in the exterior, drivetrain and interior and still get all (3) categories.

[Old Henry]

My friend is now in chemotherapy three times a week for cancer so is wanting to sell his triple rouge '51 Custom and wants to know the best way to do it. I've never bought nor sold a classic car so have no advice. If anyone can offer any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated and I'll pass them on to him. Also - a suggested starting price for the sale.

Thanks in advance for your help.