A ’52 FORD—AND THOSE TESTING IT

A ROAD TEST VARIATION in Road and Track, April 1952, also provided staff automotive bios at the time. Here are tidbits on the test car, a Ford Customline, and its testers.

Their Thesis: “Personal impressions, prejudices, and individual traits play a large part in road tests conducted by the press. Performance figures and physical dimensions are precise factors… opinions are subject to human multi-division. Every car, no matter how ugly or poorly built, has its rabid proponents.” 

“As a result,” the magazine said, “a new type of Road Test presentation has been devised… each member of the crew reports individually.… Choose up sides and let the fun begin!”

Editor Oliver Billingsley. “Have owned: Saxon 19??, Fordson, ’23 T. Ford, ’29, ’30, ’31, ’34, ’37, ’41, and ’42 Fords, ’31, ’33, and ’34 American Austins, ’39 Bantam, ’44 Ford Jeep, ’45 Studebaker Weasel, ’49 Renault, ’50 Morris Minor, ’51 MG TD Mk. II. I like small foreign cars. Would like to have: Aston-Martin, Jaguar XK-120, Ferrari, or Lancia Gran Turismo. Also a Morris Minor or new Austin 7.” 

“For the average American family,” Billingsley wrote, “Ford has produced a car which will please their taste and satisfy their demands. The Six with standard transmission is my choice….”

Managing Editor Bill Brehaut. “Cars owned include ’37 DeSoto, ’39 Plymouth, ’40 Ford, ’46 Ford 8, ’37 Cord, ’39 DeSoto, ’49 Ford 6, ’51 Henry J 6. Likes foreign cars. Would want MG but has family and needs 4-seater. Favorite car: Lancia.” 

“Personally,” Brehaut said, “I’d rather have the six than the eight, tho I would try out the standard transmission eight before deciding.”

Promotional Director Bill Quinn. “Cars owned: ’51 Jaguar XK-120, ’48 Cadillac, ’41 Buick, plus 1937, 39, 46, 47, 49, and 51 Ford. Thinks for pure pleasure you couldn’t improve on the Jag (in its price class). Likes a high power/weight ratio. Goal is Ferrari America plus Ford for everyday use.”

Quinn concluded, “I would definitely say that of the two Fords, the 6 with standard transmission would be my choice.”

Assistant Editor Bob Dearborn. “Cars owned: ’26 Model T Ford, ’28 Model A, ’32 Buick Six, ’33 Cadillac, ’34 Buick, ’34 Ford, ’36 Ford, ’38 Ford, ’39 Ford, ’41 Ford, ’48 Plymouth, ’48 Chrysler, ’48 Austin A-40, ’49 Austin A-40, ’50 MG TD, ’52 Riley Sedan. Ideal: new Rolls sedan and a Frazer-Nash sports. Now driving Riley sedan for sports plus passenger space.” 

“I conclude my report,” Bob said, “as I started it. The Ford is ‘overall… a darn good car.’ ”

An Editor-to-be Appears Several Months Later. Dean Batchelor pinch-hit in May-June’s test of a Simca Aronde: “Cars owned: ’30 Chevrolet, ’39 Mercury, ’41 Pontiac, ’32 Ford Roadster, ’39 Ford Conv., ’36 Ford Coupe, ’39 Ford Sedan, ’27 T Roadster and a sports car under construction. Partner with Alex Xydias in ‘So-Cal Special’ 210 mph streamliner. Favorite cars—Aston-Martin DB.2, ’51 Ford.” 

So Where’s Technical Editor John R. Bond? John didn’t enter into these joint road tests until July 1952’s Hudson Hornet: “Cars owned: ’28 Ford, ’29 Ford, ’30 Ford, ’35 Chevrolet, ’37 Buick 60, ’40 Chevrolet, ’39 Buick, ’33 Terraplane 8, ’46 Ford 6, ’32 Ford V-8, ’47 Ford V-8, ’49 Ford V-8, ’49 MG TC. Now owns ’36 Ford, ’51 Chevrolet, ’50 Ford sports car under construction. Likes smaller cars, but not too small. Would like to own a Willys Aero for family use, a Ferrari America open 2-seater, and a 350 cc Jawa motorcycle.”

“Doesn’t usually write up road tests,” he added, “because he’s too critical.” 

Gee, John seemed perfectly cordial when I talked with him 27 years later. ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2022