How many 1949 Ford cars were made?
Approximately 1.4 million Ford passenger cars were produced in 1949, with total Ford vehicle output (including light trucks) commonly cited in the 1.7–2.0 million range depending on counting methods.
Ford did not publish a single, official end-of-year total for "cars produced" in 1949. Production tallies from that era are pieced together from company annual reports, industry publications, and museum records. Historians typically present numbers as ranges, reflecting differences in counting cars only versus all light vehicles, as well as domestic versus export production.
How production numbers are counted
To understand the figure, it helps to know the factors that drive variation in historical production tallies. The following elements influence whether a given number is labeled as the total “cars” Ford made in 1949:
- Cars versus trucks and other light vehicles: Some sources count only passenger cars, while others include light trucks and commercial vehicles in the total.
- Domestic versus export production: Shipments abroad and production for foreign markets boosted totals in some tallies less emphasized in others.
- Model-line and body-style mix: Ford’s lineup included multiple trim levels and bodystyles (base, DeLuxe, and other configurations), which affected overall unit counts in different reports.
In short, the 1949 figure depends on what is being counted and where the data originated. This is why historians present ranges rather than a single, definitive number.
Bottom line
For readers seeking a concise takeaway: the commonly cited estimate is about 1.4 million Ford passenger cars produced in 1949, with total Ford vehicle production (cars plus light trucks) generally placed in the 1.7–2.0 million range, depending on the counting method used by researchers.
Summary
The 1949 model year marked Ford’s return to peacetime production, but there isn’t a single official figure for “how many cars” were made. The most widely referenced estimates place Ford passenger-car output around 1.4 million, with broader vehicle production (including trucks) higher. Variations arise from differences in counting cars only versus all light vehicles and from domestic versus export production. historians continue to rely on a combination of Ford annual reports, trade publications, and museum archives to approximate the year’s production totals.
How many 1949 Fords were made?
During the 1950s, the slab-sided exterior design would go on to influence many European manufacturers, including Mercedes Benz, Borgward, Austin, Volvo and many others. For 1949, Ford returned to first place among American manufacturers, selling 1,118,740 Ford cars.
What is a 1949 Ford worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $21,640 for a 1949 Ford Custom in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1949 Ford Custom? The highest selling price of a 1949 Ford Custom at auction over the last three years was $71,500.
What is the rarest Ford vehicle?
The 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake is arguably the rarest Ford, with only one unit ever built. Other contenders for the title include the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype and the 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III, with only five and seven units produced, respectively.
You can watch this video to learn more about some of the rarest Ford cars built: 50sWheels HistoryYouTube · Jul 10, 2025
- 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake: Only one of these supercharged GT500s was ever built, featuring a 427ci V8 engine.
- 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III: This street-legal version of the GT40 was extremely limited, with only seven units produced.
- 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype: Just five of these open-top prototypes were built, and only four have survived.
- 1991 Ford SkyRanger: With a production run of only 14 to 19 examples, this convertible pickup truck is so rare it's not well-known.
- 1980 Mustang McLaren M81: Only 10 of these rare Mustangs were ever made, a collaborative project between Ford and McLaren.
What made the 1949 Ford unique?
The 1949 Ford was distinguished by its smooth-sided "envelope" body and the airplane-inspired "spinner" in the center of its grille. Postwar demand for new cars was insatiable, and Ford produced more than a million units in the 1949 model year.
