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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / What Is The Most Reliable Early Ford V-8 Vehicle

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Discussion Topic: What Is The Most Reliable Early Ford V-8 Vehicle

carcrazy

01-30-2023 @ 12:42 PM

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Thanks to all for the great responses and insights. As mentioned, condition is the single most important item.

TomO

01-30-2023 @ 10:05 AM

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I second Alan's opinion that condition of the car is the best determination of how you are going to enjoy owning and driving it. Reliability depends upon the care taken when repairs are made or have been made. I have driven my 40 Mercury to many meets and on many tours without problems. It has a comfortable ride and handles well for a 83 year old car.

I would recommend the 50, 51 Mercury with overdrive as the best road car. They ride better and with the 255 cu.in. engine have enough power to drive at the 60mph minimum speed on the interstates. The also have a better steering ratio than the 52,53 cars. My second choice would be the 53 Mercury. They made changes between 52 and 53 that make the car better.

The 50, 51 Lincoln is almost a twin to the Mercury, but parts are much more expensive and harder to get. I love my 53 Lincoln on the road, but parts are even more difficult to get than for the 49-51 Lincoln and you have to do all of the repairs yourself, because you won't find a knowledgeable mechanic to work on it.

Tom

trjford8

01-30-2023 @ 8:31 AM

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Along with all the other good comments I would say a very important item is comfort. I don't know your height, but if you want to drive the car a lot you need to be comfortable in the seat. The later cars, 49-53, have seats that are more adjustable and wider than the early cars. This factor should be considered when making your purchase. A second factor is later cars also have a later type suspension and the ride quality is better. The third factor is trunk size. If you have a wife or significant other it's amazing what they "think they might need" on a trip. I currently own earlier cars, but from a personal point of view if I were to own a later car I love the looks of the '52-'53 Mercury Monterey hardtop. Had a '52 in high school with a Merc-O-Matic and it was a great car.

This message was edited by trjford8 on 1-30-23 @ 8:36 AM

cliftford

01-30-2023 @ 5:47 AM

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I agree. the 53 model with 3 speed was one of the best Fords ever built.

mfirth

01-30-2023 @ 5:07 AM

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I had a 53 Victoria with o/d trans & wish I'd never sold it. Current owner has driven some distance with it with zero problems. That said, I knew a fella with a 52 Mercury with the 255 V8 & auto trans. who drove it from Ohio to Florida & back for years. Condition is everything.

ford38v8

01-29-2023 @ 5:20 PM

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I’ve driven my ‘38 to National meets all over the place. It’s not one particular model, it’s the condition of the one you have.
That said, all things being equal, one of the most beautiful, comfortable, and reliable of Club cars, in my opinion, is the ‘53, 3 on the tree, overdrive. I like red!

Alan

carcrazy

01-29-2023 @ 4:50 PM

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If one were to purchase a club-eligible vehicle with the intention of driving it to auto events anywhere within the country, which make, model year and options would be the best to have?
The goal would be to keep the car as stock as possible with only safety items added like seat belts/safety harnesses, directional signals, hydraulic brakes (if the vehicle is older than a 1939) and radial tires.
This vehicle would not compete in any Point Judged Classes but only in the Touring Classes.
Would the ideal vehicle be a Ford, Mercury or Lincoln?
To get away from overheating concerns, would it be best to get a Ford with either a Flathead 6, OHV 6, or Lincoln with the OHV V-8?
Being able to drive the car to all EFV-8 Club meets, no matter how distant, would be a great advantage.

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