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Hello everyone, I'm new here. I am considering buying a 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook. This will not be for a show car, or a hot rod, just for a basic everyday (maybe not winter) driver. I plan on keeping this car pretty much original, with the only mod i have in mind being a dual-master brake cylinder. Lots of people tell me im nuts for this, hopefully you guys wont. Anyway, I'm interested in this car because I think it's a beautiful body style, this particular one is solid, and he's only asking $2,000. anyway, i know these cars were pretty durable as well as decent handling, nice suspension, and that the flat 230 was an extremely reliable engine. I since this has been sitting for awhile (plate says 2004) it will need some work. he says it runs, but from what ive read, these old flats, if not maintained (like most cars) usually need a valve adjustment, if any valves are burnt, a guy i work with now has told me he has some pretty sophisticated valve grinding setup i'm not new to working on cars, ive done lots of work mainly on 70's and 80's cars. this is a little different ill check out the carb and the distributor, and the valves and try and find a bushing or bearing (whatever it is) for the water pump, and so on (things on any car). but there are usually some characteristic things to look for on certain cars, and when it comes to these (late 40's early 50's meadowbrook, coronet, wayfarer) i have no idea what to look for. i mean things that should be fixed before they get worse, things that kill drive-ability but may be an easy fix, things that i should look for and possibly consider a different vehicle (or demand a good price reduction) and so on. where do these "Fluid-Drive" transmissions rate between being dependable and troublesome? my understanding (although i've read some conflicting info) is that "fluid-drive" is three gears with a clutch as well as a fluid coupler so you don't need to clutch between gears if you let off the gas. where "gyro-matic" has the same fluid coupler, and clutch, but has a high and low range, each of which automatically shift between two gears. (where high can be used if slow acceleration from a stop is ok) i understand that the front brakes on these are dual cylinder drums, do they perform notably better than single cylinder drums? would i be able to get the shoes re-lined at the same place a guy i used to work for in the trucking business sends his shoes off to to get re-lined? sorry to start off hammering away with questions, im just trying to figure out a lot in a short period of time here, this car is over 100 miles away, and i want to go check it out up close soon, but before i go a want to know some things i should be looking for. thanks for taking the time to read this post, i appreciate it, and i appreciate that this site exists. There's nothing like the old cars!