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1954 FORD CUSTOMLINE and MAINLINE |
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(continued from previous page) hypoid rear end featuring semi elliptic springs, open tailshaft (resulting in the drive shaft tunnel being reduced in size), the venerable flathead was redesigned of 239.4 cubic inches, the ignition distributor was relocated to the top front of the motor, much to the relief of mechanics. Finally the body received all new styling, which was now lower and had done away with the separate fenders, it featured a distinctive 'spinner' grille. The public loved it and the fortunes of the Ford Motor Company were turned around by this model. For 1950 slight alterations were made. To the untrained, the 1950 models look like 1949 models. However Ford's advertising for their new model was '50 Ways New Ford For '50'. Again 1951 Fords were slightly revised, the main visible feature being the 'twin spinner' grille theme. 1951 Fords were the final model based on the original 1949 body. Model year production figures were 1949 1,118,762 1950 1,209,549 1951 1,013, 381 One can see that these models were very successful for Ford. Unlike Chevrolet who decided to get one more year's worth out of their 1949 body. F Ford decided to go for an all new model for 1952. One of the main styling features was the introduction of a single curved windscreen placing the twin flat screens in the 1949-51 models (it is interesting to note that rival Chevrolet had a curved windscreen since 19, however it was in two pieces). 1952 was also the year that Ford introduced their round 'trademark' tail lights which became a Ford tradition from 1952 to 1964, only missing the 1958 and 1960 big Fords. |
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BELOW Was this the last sidevalve V8 used in the word? Not quite, they soldiered on in French and Brazilian Simcas until the 1960's (see Restored Cars #139) The first OHV V8 used in USA models had the same capacity as the sidevalve engines but developed 130hp |
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BELOW The interior and dash of the Customline was much the same as the Mainline, except the Mainline's seat back could be tilted forward for access to the spare tyre, jack and tools. Leather seating was standard with matching vinyl on the door trim and a lighter colored head liner, with black rubber floor mats at the front. |
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LEFT From the rear the Customline shows a stainless steel flatter side trim that runs almost the entire length of the car, whereas in 1952 and 1953 models they are in two pieces, a front piece and a rear section. Over the three years from 1952 the bodies were the same but the trim and some badging differed |
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These were the choices when you bought a Ford V8 in Australia in 1954, left the Customline four door sedan, and right, the Mainline 'ute' (or coupe utility). In the USA you had a choice of 14 models, the 'coupe ute' was not available there until 1957 when introduced there in 1957 as the Ranchero (see Restored Cars # 114). The Mainline however was available in North America, it was the low priced sedan and was available in Fordor and Tudor models as well as a wagon |