Heritage
Pre-War Fords - Meteor (Phase 1)
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All Ford products shed their old prewar styling for a postwar new look. Of course, Ford of Canada's unique models also embraced the new styling.
A June 25, 1948 press release stated: "The Mercury and Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited announced today that it would shortly introduce a brand new automobile in the low-priced field, to be known as the 'Meteor.' It will be exclusive to the Canadian market and will be distributed by the Mercury and Lincoln dealers across the Dominion."
Meteor followed the Mercury 114 format, which was to use the Ford body with a Mercury grille. Instead of Ford's "propeller" grille, Meteor used a Mercury style grille. In addition, a wide chrome border surrounded the upper part of the grille cavity. At each end of the grille was a small arrow-shaped point which contained Ford-like parking lights.
Meteor spelled in chrome block letters above the grille identified this new car. The name also appeared across Mercury shaped hubcaps. On the deck lid, a round Meteor medallion appeared above the trunk handle. Otherwise, Meteor's exterior was about identical to Ford's.
Inside, the Ford style instrument panel added a chrome star with a tail on the right end. Under the hood was Ford's 239 cid V-8, now rated at 100 hp.
Meteor offered two versions. DeLuxe included a Tudor sedan, Fordor sedan, Club coupe and Business coupe. More deluxe than the DeLuxe was the Custom which offered the same body types, less the Business coupe. Prices were about $65 more than the same Ford models.
A popular option was a two-tone paint scheme. The fenders and lower sides were one colour and the rest a complementary shade. This was a Ford of Canada exclusive, because U.S. Ford plants could not handle two-toning then.
The new Meteor sold exceptionally well. It ranked fourth in sales, accounting for nearly 11% of the total Canadian market. To meet the public's demand, just over 23,000 Meteors came off the Windsor assembly line in the 1949 model year.
That was a long model year, because production began in the spring of 1948 and ran till the fall of 1949. Still, the normal length 1950 model year saw over 26,000 Meteors built, while it held its fourth rank in sales.
Both a convertible and station wagon joined the top series, now called Custom DeLuxe. Partially finished bodies for each of these were imported from the States, then assembly was finished on this side of the border with all the Meteor items.
A few minor styling changes appeared for 1950. The chrome border above the grille was gone. New parking lights were outward slanting with chrome trim something like Ford's new parking lights.
