The Customline was the mid-trim level for the 1952-54 Fords. It sat between the Mainline and Crestline models in the generation after the post-war “Shoebox” Fords. This 1954 example appears to be quite nice and has some cosmetic and mechanical upgrades from back in the day, though not much detail is provided. Located in Denver, Colorado, this Y-block-powered Ford is available here on craigslist for $16,750. Thumbs up to Mike F. for the tip.
Cosmetically, the 1952-54 Ford differed little from one another. The sheet metal was all-new compared with the earlier Shoeboxes, but the basic platform was the same. The big news was that the flathead V8 was replaced by the OHV Y-block in 1954, with no change in displacement but a nearly 20% performance increase. Sales were brisk, although the 1953 model year found more Customline buyers. Nearly 675,000 of them were sold in 1954.
This 1954 Customline appears to be largely stock, though a replacement intake manifold has been added to accommodate a bigger carburetor (?). So this Ford may be a bit of a sleeper, with its maroon paint and 1950s interior. The seats look reupholstered, and surely the paint isn’t 72 years old. These are details the seller doesn’t address. The seller says the mileage is 16,800, and the odometer reads that. But it is the second time around?
The 239 V8 is paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission, routine stuff before the automatic transmission became so popular. I’m betting that most of the 1954 Customlines came that way. The seller is open to cash offers only; no trades will be entertained. This is a nice-looking Ford, and it would be beneficial if the seller had told us more about it.
No PRICE?
As a 16 year old, my very first car (that actually ran that is) was a nice one- owner ’54 2 door, circa 1965. It had a 239 Y block and 3 on the tree. A kid from a neighboring small town had an almost identical green & white ’54 with an automatic. We thought they were hot (they weren’t ) and drag raced twice out on the county blacktop outside of town. I beat him both times even though he tried to jump the start the second time. It was good for bragging rights but Walt could be somewhat dangerous when irritated, so I passed on the opportunity to enhance my reputation at his expense. :-) Terry J
Fun memories, Terry!. The 1952-1954 Fords were long-lasting workhorses, the 1953 Customline being by far the most commonly seen up into the 1990s. The ’52 was shortened in production by the Korean War, and its insufficent wartime chrome peeled off from its bumbers, exposing rust. After 1952, the lightly updated and fancified ’53 sold in huge numbers. Ford had the same situation with the Customline that Chevrolet had with the Two-Ten: you got well away from that “fleet/utility/municipal” bare-bones look; indeed, you got most of what the Crestline or BelAir had to offer, yet at a more practical price, and without all the unneeded “flash” of the top models. And so these midline models sold in huge numbers. And by 1964 they had fallen well below the “late model used car” market, and could be had in decent turnkey driver condition for around $25, and sometimes even for free! Imagine THAT, for a ten-year-old driver THESE days!
the 1954 BelchFire …
I’ve said this numerous times before; my favorite of the Ford Shoeboxes, were the ’52 to ’54 models. They ticked all the boxes for me. I do have to say that the Y-block engines didn’t turn me on all that much; the Flatheads were my favorite although I sure wouldn’t turn a Y-Block down.
I see that this has good boots for the fresh air plenum. Mine were rotted off. I got new ones right away but within a year they were gone too. A trip over to Big R Supply and I bought a pair of rubber boots. I cut the centers out of them and used them for sleeves to replace the plenum boots.
Never a problem after that.
My ’54 was a 4-door, with a Ford-O-Matic transmission. Nothing really wrong with it; I just preferred a manual transmission. I’d probably still have it if it wasn’t for me calling a guy’s bluff and getting mine called instead.
He just saw my car backed into my shop and asked how much? I quoted what I thought was higher than it was worth. Nothing more said. Next thing I knew, my wife and I were just finishing lunch and here was a ramp truck backing up my driveway. The guy was there with a bill of sale, title transfer and everything else.
Even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if he’d keep his mouth shut!!!!
SOmething about that one is just sweet.
The 239 y block, one year only for cars, but in trucks as well for 55. Is it considered an orphan engine?
Nice looking car. Color is good. A glaspac and good to go.
Hi Bob C, Lots of manufacturers in those days started with a new design and updated it continually. I had a ’49 Olds with a 303 cu in V8 that became a 324 that grew into a 371 and in it’s final stage a 394. The Ford/Merc started as a 239 (256 Merc) became a 272 then a 292 and finally a 312. In the US they were built from ’54 to ’64 though some F100s still had the 272 in 1965. :-) Terry J
While I prefer a 49 or 50 or a 55 or 56, I sure wouldn’t turn down this sweetheart of a car. She’s a beauty!
“You’ve come a long way, baby”! $16,750 for a ’54 Ford Customline, amazing…now, I know I’m old, but I used the $600 from my high school FFA project to buy a ’54 in 1959. It had 50,000 miles on it which wasn’t too bad for a 5 year old car; driven by an older farmer in South Jersey who never got over 40 mph. So, when this 17 year old got it, the first thing he did was try to do a “speed shift” with that 3 on the tree and blew the clutch out. Back then, thankfully, it was only a $50 repair/replacement. The V-8 was a pretty good power plant, got fairly good gas mileage on US Rte 1 driving back and forth to North Carolina where I was stationed in the Air Force. Only problem was the 3 quarts of oil it used every 450 mile trip I made. Only kept the car 2 years before trading for another classic, a ’57 Fairlane 500 2 door hardtop.
always loved 1954 fords friend of my father had one just like this one but Green with white roof new in 1954 rode in it many times my parents at the time had a 1952 ford big difference in the dash