Best in Show; Ford Forty-Nine.

With a heavenly host of gospel singers praising ``the day that Ford has made,'' Dearborn's self-styled design god J Mays conjured up the industry's latest-and we'd argue Best in Show-take on retro. While the same stand held the production edition of the T-Bird, the inspiration this time goes back a few years more. The Forty-Nine custom coupe concept is a throwback to one of the most desirable pieces of hardware to appear on the postwar American landscape. As such, the rear-drive Forty-Nine carries into 2001 the slab sides, integrated body and fenders, independent front suspension and functional rear quarter-windows that made the original 1949-51 coupes such runaway hits with the chopping and channeling crowd.

The exterior features an all-glass upper body structure with concealed pillars, finished in black with chrome accents and 20-inch chrome wheels. The interior is trimmed in black and sienna leather and adheres to ...