Ford Forty-Nine (Ghia) (2001)

Forty-Nine was created with the following recipe: simple clean shapes plus modern conveniences. Above the belt line – solid glass, completely hiding the roof pillars. The body is black (of course) plus chrome elements (in a reasonable amount) – body trim, rims and nameplates. Interesting headlights and taillights.

The two-tone interior is also a modern interpretation of history. The four seats appear to be bucket seats, but are actually “general” – as in the old days – sofas. But what about, after all, the advertisement “49 Ford promised seats” as soft as a home sofa. “The illusion of separate” buckets “creates a wide center console that runs along the entire length of the cabin and seems to be hanging in the air. Its purpose is not only decorative – the console is structural body element, and also carries a gearshift mechanism and a ventilation system.

Unusually – also in the old way – the instrument cluster looks, the main place in which is occupied by an analog tachometer. All modern instruments and controls are out of sight, they are hidden under the folding panel. The metal ring on the steering wheel, which in the 50s was given a sound signal, turns on the cruise control and controls the “music”. The audio system, of course, is quite modern – a multi-disc CD changer, a 200-watt amplifier, numerous speakers with a subwoofer.

The windshield vertically divides the rod – a reminder of the “half” glasses of the past. On the rod is an adjustable rear-view mirror, inside is a radio antenna that extends through the roof.

The engine compartment is designed in the same style with the body and interior. It would seem that there is nothing to draw up here – isn’t a 3.9 liter 32-valve V8 engine (as in the new Thunderbird), besides tuned, enough? Not enough. Everything is made in the best Hot Rod traditions: black lacquer, polished stainless steel, chrome plating. Plus, the nameplate “Powered by Thunderbird” – the new “Thunderbird” additional support will not hurt.