They were virtually identical. Some minor upholstery differences between the two years, were the biggest discrepancies.

Thanks Russ 🙂 Still wonder if there are any other differences.

Chris,

From what I've read, one difference is the outside stainless reveal moldings. The clips that join the two ends are closer toward the front of the windows (on top) on the 49s. Someone else can comment, especially if they've been able to compare an actual 48 and 49. But, with the minor differences already pointed out, the two model years were virtually identical.

Tim

I was referring to the front door windows. Have to examine this more closely for some examples of the two years.

Tim-

Yes, that's correct. I forgot about that. Although, I'm sure you could find some original '48's with the '49 style of window trim.

Although , not visible.. Some early 48's used different spindles and wheel bearings. I suspect they were 47 type. I also suspect that the new design parts were not available in time for the introduction of the NEW 48 model cars. I usually tell people to chck the vin number.
The front door trim on the 48's was different. One of our OBC members has a 48 (titled as a 49 because that was the only title he had)) and his trim joint is forward of center.

The first stepdowns in 48 had the stainless around the drivers and passengers window seamed on the front slope of the door. It was later moved to the middle of the window at the top. Made it easier to assemble somehow.
The very first 1948 cars also had left over 1947 steering wheel / horn buttons ,
Roger

Another difference is in the gages - early in 1949 they switched from gages that were verticle?? ie pointing toward the top of the dash like todays cars to gages where the needles were horizontal. ie pointing to the left. Does this make sense??? LOL

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

No Alex you are not imagining things. There are different guages ,there is the vertical needle and horizontal needle. They are interchangeable as far as funtion goes. And I have never realy determined wich came first. Or if one was for super & one for Commodore. The background may differ also,
Roger

As I recall the gages were changed to the horizontal type early in the 1949 production run.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

I wish I knew what you were exactly talking about, but I do not understand the difference in the guages.
Would anyone be able to post pictures of the 48 gauges vs the 49 gauges.
thanks

Whlle I don't have any pictures, Christopher let me try to explain - somebody will have pictures sooner or later.

The gauges in the 1948 models into early 1949 were of the verticle type; ie the needles lay over to the left side of the gage and moved to the right pointing up toward the top of the dash. This is the way most cars today, which still use analog instruments. The gauge faces were more or less round in shape.
Early in 1949 they went to a horizontal gauge, which was somewhat smaller. The needles lay on their side, pointing to the drivers side when in operation. When the car was at rest the gauge needles pointed in the general direction of the floor at about 45º. When the car was in operation the needles moved upward - their upward travel to max was about 45º pointing in an upward direction.
These gauges were housed in a rectangular housing, rather than the more round of vertilcle gages.

Maybe this will make it a little clearer - hold up a finger (no not that one) pointing straight up. Move it left and right, Ergo a verticle gauge. Now, hold up a finger (right hand) pointing to the left. Move it up and down. thus a horizontal gauge.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Thank you Alex for explaining it in laymen's terms. Now, i am wondering which type I have with my 1949.... it is unfortunate that my speedometer glass is broken and I do not know if I have the needle which goes in side of it.

The difference between verticle and horizontal is obvious - as I said the vertilces are more or less round; the horizontals are rectangular. Again, I'm not sure when the change took place - I'm sure there's a bulletin from that time floating around, but I don't have a copy - yet. Working on it beating on people to, please, loan material to me to be put in the library. So maybe one of these days.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN