1950 Ford starting in cold weather

F

fander

Junior Member
When I was a youngster my Dad had a 1950 Ford with a vinyl top and a flathead v8. We lived in Minot ND and it didn't have a tank heater yet it started every time. -20 degrees F was not uncommon. Was that typical and was the vinyl top an add on or a factory option? He had the car around the mid 60's.
 
The Crestliner had a vinyl roof. it also had a chrome swoop on the sides in which the body was painted a different color
 
I also had a '50 Ford in the mid 60's while attending college and working. The flattie V8 started every morning in the dead of winter in Spokane, Wash where it was not uncommon to be 0 or colder. I am sure there were days I wish it would not have started!!
 
By any chance, did your dad have a garage to keep the car in? Makes a HUGE difference. My dad had '49 and '51 Oldsmobiles with 6 volt batteries and he never had any trouble when they were in the garage, but outside? Different story. When he got the '53 (which finally was 12 volts), I don't remember any more morning rants.
 
The most common form of engine heater here was the head bolt type for the flathead V8s. Though I guess they worked on sixes as well. Dad had one on the 52 Merc but even with that there were times it was stubborn starting. Probably had other issues like carburetor and of course that Mercomatic was a bit extra load for the starter to turn over.
 
No garage. It just sat outside on the North Dakota prairie. Our 62 Chevy with 327 had a tank heater as it would not start otherwise. I checked winter 1964 and 1965 temperatures in Minot and the minimum temperatures were around -20 degrees F.
 
Now that you mention it I remember it was two tone brown. By the way I am not the type that says, "I wish I still had that car." I still have the 62 Chevy my folks owned back then and as in a typical restoration I have way more invested than it is worth.
 
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