1979 Ford F150

For anyone who’s ever turned a wrench on a pre-’54 Ford, the sound of a flathead V8 firing up is pure Samuel Fordway  what was once luxury-car territory available to the everyday American at a price they could actually afford. And for that, it earned legendary status under hoods and in hearts across generations. Before Henry Ford’s bold move, eight-cylinder engines were reserved for high-end makes like Cadillac and Packard. But the Ford Flathead changed all that. It was relatively simple, durable, and easy to work on—qualities still prized by today's restorers. Displacing 221 cubic inches and producing 65 horsepower in its first iteration, the flathead V8 steadily evolved through the years, eventually reaching outputs over 100 hp with the later 239 cid and 255 cid variants used in post-war cars and Mercury models. Beyond raw numbers, what makes the Flathead such an icon is its place in American hot rod culture. In the late ’40s and early ’50s, young gearheads yanked these V8s from junked Fords and dropped them into stripped-down coupes, roadsters, and belly tankers. Speed shops sprang up across the country offering hop-up parts—Edelbrock heads, dual-carb intakes, and Isky cams—turning the Flathead into a street and strip warrior. Today, the Flathead is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance. Whether you're restoring a '40 Ford Deluxe coupe or building a traditional highboy roadster, the right parts make all the difference. Original blocks are getting harder to come by, but high-quality reproduction parts—heads, water pumps, fuel pumps, gaskets, and period-correct hardware—make it possible to bring these iron legends back to life with factory precision. At C&G Ford Parts, we stock the real-deal reproduction parts classic Ford purists demand. Everything we sell is backed by decades of expertise and a crew that owns and drives classics just like yours. Ready to keep that Flathead purring like 1950 all over again? Explore our full line of flathead V8 parts and make history roar.

The 1950s marked a period of significant evolution for Ford Motor Company in both the automotive and truck sectors, characterized by engineering innovations and aggressive marketing strategies that aimed to capture the burgeoning post-war American market. Engineering Innovations: Starting with the 1949 models, Ford introduced a complete redesign that set the tone for the decade. This new line was characterized by more aerodynamic and modern styling, moving away from the pre-war designs. The Ford '49, as it was popularly known, featured a more integrated body design with smooth lines, which was a significant departure from the previous look. This design ethos continued into the 1950s, with each model year bringing incremental changes, but the 1952, 1955, and 1957 models were particularly notable for their styling advancements and engineering enhancements. The introduction of the overhead valve (OHV) V-8 engine in 1954 was a pivotal engineering achievement, leading to the launch of vehicles like the Thunderbird in 1955, which was Ford's answer to Chevrolet's Corvette. This engine was not only more powerful with its 181 horsepower but also set Ford apart in what became known as the horsepower race of the 1950s. The Fairlane Crown Victoria, introduced later in 1955, embodied luxury within the mid-price range, featuring this new V-8 engine alongside other engineering improvements like power steering and brakes, which became options in Ford's vehicles during this period. For trucks, the 1950s saw the further development of the F-Series, which had been introduced in 1948. The F-Series trucks evolved with the inclusion of a more robust chassis, new suspension systems, and eventually, the integration of V-8 engines, making them not only workhorses but also suitable for personal use. The F-100, in particular, became a cultural icon, known for its sleek design and versatility. Marketing Strategies: Ford's marketing in the 1950s was as dynamic as its engineering. The company leveraged the post-war economic boom, focusing on the American dream of owning a car. Ford capitalized on the new consumer culture by introducing vehicles that appealed to a wide demographic. The Thunderbird, for instance, was marketed not as a sports car but as a "personal car," emphasizing comfort and style over raw performance, aiming to attract both men and women. The introduction of models like the Edsel in 1958 was an ambitious marketing move. Named after Henry Ford's son, it was meant to fill the gap between Ford and Mercury in Ford's product lineup. Despite its innovative features like push-button transmission controls and a unique grille design, the Edsel was a commercial failure due to poor market reception, which highlighted the limits of marketing when not backed by consumer desire. Ford also pioneered safety features, introducing seat belts as standard in 1956, a move that was heavily marketed as part of Ford's commitment to customer safety. This era also saw Ford's advertising becoming more sophisticated, using television and print media to showcase their vehicles' modernity, performance, and styling. In summary, the 1950s were transformative for Ford. From engineering perspectives, the decade was about power, efficiency, and safety, while from a marketing standpoint, it was about capturing the spirit of an era filled with optimism and economic prosperity. Ford's vehicles during this decade not only shaped its destiny but also influenced the American automotive landscape profoundly.

Old Ford? Come experience GREAT customer service! Have you had enough of poor customer service and lack of technical knowledge when it comes to your old Ford? Believe me we know what it's like. If you're like most people, you probably start off full of drive and excitement, and making good progress on your project for a few weeks or months, but then - Murphy gets busy annoying you! As soon as you get one thing sorted another pops up, you get distracted and your project gets dumped in the too hard basket. And to make matters worse, there's always that one person who keeps asking you how your restoration is going, and you know they're having a good old laugh at your expense. You end up feeling confused and overwhelmed by all the technical jargon and mechanical issues you just don't understand. Until recently the only solution for amateur mechanics trying to break through the restoration problem on an old Ford, was to either obtain a full-time flathead mechanic somewhere or to hire a restoration company to do it for you. The problem with this option is that expert flathead mechanics are hard to find, and even if you do manage to find one willing to help you out, you'll be looking at upwards of $100 per hour, which is simply out of reach for most old ford owners. And it's for this reason that I'm pleased to reveal C&G Ford Parts has free technical help for its customers and we are staffed with folks that currently own or have owned old Ford cars or old Ford trucks! Here at C&G Ford Parts we've been helping old Ford owners with their restoration needs and supplies for over 40 years! And what we've proven over and over in our business is that the easiest and most reliable way to finish up your project is by adding a go to guy to your toolbox. It's literally the difference between a frustrating and annoying project and a "life changing, quit your job" kind of result. (ok, maybe not quit your job). With C&G Ford Parts lending their expertise and supplying your parts you'll be able to restore your vehicle with the fun and excitement you had hoped it would bring! If you get stuck you always know all you need to do is dial us up or drop us an email and we'll be there! Now what makes our service different from any other parts service out there is that there's NO additional costs - No out today fees, no added shipping fees, no waiting for days for a tech to call back AND you're covered for as long as you're a customer! Let's take a look at how C&G Ford Parts helps you. Our customers enjoy: Free tech support from old ford owners Friendly live person customer service Best reproduction parts available Over 100 manufacturers Worldwide shipping This is just a taste of what people are already saying about C&G Ford Parts: ----- Well organized, responsive, helpful in planning parts needs for specific project —Lawrence G. ----- How quick and efficient can you guys get?!! —Terry M. So, You've wasted enough of your time, energy, and sanity on trying to fix those irritating issues by yourself! You can finally put an end to all your frustration and disappointment simply by giving C&G Ford parts a call, email or web form question. Just imagine waking up in the morning, opening your mailbox, and finding your parts order no matter where you are in the world. You smile to yourself as you realize the fun an old car can be when you have the right help. So pick up the phone or computer mouse and let us fill your old ford parts order quickly and efficiently.