Some cars just don’t get the credit that I think they deserve, and one generation of American sedans that fits neatly into that category is the 1952 to 1954 Ford. Sandwiched between the “shoebox” Ford and the neat 1955-1956 cars, it’s succumbed to the fate of the middle child; you know it’s there, but it just doesn’t get a lot of your attention. Well, not all of us are so preoccupied; it happens to be my favorite Ford of the fifties. This one has belonged to two owners since new, both from the same family, and the seller says that it is rust-free and wears its original paint, aside from some “professional rust repair” on the quarter panels. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and being sold on eBay, this Ford also (for some reason) comes with a rebuilt 289 and an automatic (it looks like a C-4), so you can sell that and recoup some of your investment. (Or maybe you can buy a Mustang to put it in.) Either way, let’s take a look at this Crestline.
The Crestline was the top-of-the-line Ford for the last time in 1954, and as such, it had to look the part. This one does. Two-tone and three-tone paint and interior schemes were all the rage for a few years in the middle of the decade, and this car wears a chic black and white exterior and an even more chic aqua/white/black interior scheme. The interior is original, according to the seller, aside from a new front seat cushion, and the speedometer, with its “transparent hood,” is a unique Ford touch.
It was also the first year for Ford’s new (at the time) Y-Block V8, displacing the same 239 cubic inches as the outgoing flathead. With a 7.2:1 compression ratio (also the same as the older V8), the new Y-Block made 20 more horsepower, for a total of 130. Of course, that would rise over the course of the next several years, as Ford increased the displacement to 312 cubic inches and even added a supercharger for the 1957 models. Unfortunately, this Y-Block is not a runner, although it “ran when parked” in 2015. A baffling feature found on early Y-Blocks is the front-mounted exhaust crossover, which was apparently designed to punish well-meaning mechanics. Under the tunnel of this Victoria (roughly where the exhaust crossover should be) is a “Fordomatic” automatic transmission, a $184 option in 1954. The car has had brake and fuel system service, but that was back in 2002, and sadly, that’s 23 years ago. You know time is passing when you have to redo a job on your classic you’ve already done before.
Sure, the shoebox was historically significant and the Fairlane of 1955/6 more glitzy, but the 1952-1954 Ford just looked right. They were the first Fords to have those signature round “jet” taillights, and their clean trim and usable size still make sense today. Although it’s a mostly original car (aside from those wheel covers), its non-running status might hold the price down a little; indeed, there’s only one bid so far: $5,000. I think my preferences lie with the ’53, with its clean single-bullet grille and “last of the flatheads” notoriety, but I could be quite happy behind the wheel of this Crestline. How about you?
Tell me how to bid on this 54 ford
Always been amazed at the engineering behind the front.exhaust crossover on the y block cars. Not in a good way, mind you; more like “What we’re they thinking?” Definitely, not one of Fords better ideas.
It’s one of those many things, that any of us who actually work on their cars know, that the engineer who dreamt this thing up never turned a wrench in their life.
Aaron, thank you for putting the vehicle Location in the first paragraph :-)
Does anyone here know if it is true that Ford continued to put Flatheads in SOME 1954’s until they ran out of those engines?
Canadian built 1954 Fords and Mercurys still used the flathead V8. They went to the Y-block V8 in 1955.
My first car in 1959 was a Ford Customline 2 door in their famous Aqua color. It had been owned by an old farmer with “only” 50,000 miles and who probably never drove it over 40 mph, so what’s a 17 year old to do? I just “had” to break that V-8 in all over again on those country roads around our home farm. The engine held up pretty good except for the oil it used, but it didn’t take long before I had blown the clutch out tring to see how fast I could go in 1st gear before shifting to 2nd, oooooops. Had a hard time explaining that to my father about how it happened, too. Back then, the replacement cost $50, hate to think what it would cost 65 years later…
The odd crossover looks like it would have good flow for single exhaust.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have “good flow”, because all of the exhaust from the left bank has to go through the right manifold, which puts twice the exhaust fighting its way through a manifold of the same size, creating a rather severe “bottleneck”.
Good point, but I think the right, passenger side log portion of the manifold is larger than the left, driver side, which should help with the flow. That being said, it’s still a bad design for many reasons.
I bought a 54 Victoria from an older brother back in the late 60’s. It was 2 tone green and had electric windows and seat. The 239 blew a rod on my way home from work one night, so I replaced with a Thunderbird V8 from a wrecking yard. Turned out it needed the timing chain and gears replaced which I did. A great little car.
God Bless America
I have never seen a 54 with a left over flathead. Henry did some strange things but I doubt that was one of them. The 54 has always been the step-child, but I think that is very unfair. This could be a very nice car!
If the 1954 Ford or Mercury was a Canadian built vehicle it would still have the flathead V8. And Henry Ford I died in 1947, so anything that might have happened in 1954 could be the work of Henry Ford II.
I don’t see a mention that this is a 2dr. hardtop. Did I miss that? Way sexier than a sedan, IMHO.
Nice to see a Crestline! Most 1952-’54 Fords seem to be Customlines.
Rick, I know that it is just easier to blame everything on Henry. I did not know Canadian Fords still had Flat Motors, makes semse.
Okay, I don’t mind. While I’ll give the author the benefit of probably not being born yet,,,,this was Barney Fifes 1st car( a 4 door) It was a heartwarming episode with a ironic twist, Mrs. Myrt “Hubcaps” Lesh was a crook,,oops, just gave away the story line. My favorite part was when Gomer was listing all the things they did to the car, and Barney sinks lower and lower. He paid her $300 for the car, and no V8 badge, so it was a 6. We never see him shift, so maybe an automatic. What’s fun about old episodes are the cars and trucks in the background. Ironically, that episode aired on April 1, 1963. I wish I lived in Mayberry then,,this is a wonderful car for someone, of ALL ages!
Ha ha…I missed out on Andy Griffith the first time, but I loved watching it on reruns on Nick at Nite when I was a kid, so I remember that episode. Didn’t Gomer (or Goober?) find sawdust in the differential or transmission?
Older brother Bob got a 54 Ford convertible in 1959. We put floor shift on . Sanded and prepped. Got painted Candy Apple Red by Bernardo’s Auto Body. Milford, I took over car 1961. Loved it. Sold it in 1962. But I still have the headlight door. We started Schocks Auto Body in 1967. Still in business.