It sounds goofy, but I’ve always felt a bit sorry for cars of the 1954 model year. So much hoopla (and deservedly so) is heaped on the 1955 model year because of the new styling, flashy colors, upgraded V8’s – and record sales – that many of the 1954 models are often overlooked. They’re sort of treated with very little respect, like Rodney Dangerfield. At Ford, the stylists were on the last year of the 3-year cycle “New for 1952” Fords. Changes were minimal on the 1953 models with the biggest being the availability of power steering and brakes (which had been offered only on Mercurys and Lincolns), and a slight grille redesign upfront. For its last styling year, the big news for ’54 was under the practically unchanged sheetmetal. Ford retired its aging flathead V8 in favor of the new overhead-valve Y-Block V8, and an updated chassis now featured a ball-joint front suspension. The other newbie for ’54 was an addition to the flagship Crestline: the acrylic glass-roof paneled Skyliner. Here’s a beautifully restored example that is located in Portland, Oregon, and is for sale here on craigslist for $29,700 or best offer. Props again for our pal, Curvette, for sending this rare Skyliner our way.
This handsome hardtop was purchased by an older gentleman from Matthew’s Memory Lane Motors in Portland in 2018. The new owner invested in several cosmetic and drivability upgrades, with the biggest being the professional installation of power steering and power brakes. To say the least, even though it is described as an older restoration, this ’54 Skyliner presents very well with its glossy Cadet Blue metallic paint and contrasting Sandstone White roof (and period-correct whitewalls). All the chrome, trim, brightwork, glass, and lenses look great, as does the distinctive “freshness of view” blue-tinted acrylic glass panel over the front passengers. I also read that 107 Dealer “Demo Hood” models were produced to show off the ’54 Ford’s new Y-Block V8. The Skyliner’s hood had a clear panel above the engine and bay lighting was added to better illuminate the new engine on the showroom floor. I wonder how many of those are still around?
Fender skirts, bumper guards, chrome dual exhaust pipe covers, and a Continental Kit complete this Skyliner’s visual appeal of a Classic ’50’s Cruiser. There aren’t many photos of the Skyliner’s recently refreshed interior, but it looks very appealing in its medium blue, dark blue, and white color combination. It compliments the car’s exterior beautifully and is a clear indication of the even more colorful interiors coming to the Ford lineup in 1955.
For some reason, there are no photos posted of the Skyliner’s engine. Ford’s new 239-cubic-inch Y-Block V8 generated 130 horsepower, a 20-horsepower improvement from 1953, and this one is mated to a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, a pricy $184 option back in the day. Even though I’m not a big fan of aftermarket Connie Kits, I really like the overall look of this ’54 Skyliner. It’s flashy, but not over-the-top flashy. It presents itself beautifully and with class, and is appropriately “Ford Flashy” if you know what I mean.
Cool Ford! They forgot how to build such vehicles.
I remember when I was a youngster, our neighbor across the street had a Crestline Skyliner. I thought it was totally unique car seeing the blue roof and the tint it cast on the interior.
So it has a spare in the trunk too?
Hopefully it also comes with an original style interior roof liner.
We inherited one from my grandfather. Cool looking car with the transparent roof but the hot summer sun in Tennessee would bake you sitting in it. It developed a lot of mechanical issues so we traded it for a 56 Ford
Lots of “sunburn” there!!!!
no sunburn in Oklahoma
didn’t bake those of us in Oklahoma
Your experience with mechanical issues with a ’54 Ford are not unique, unfortunately. I recall that the first-year overhead valve engine had a notorious reputation in the fifties and sixties. Valve-train issues including misaligned rocker arm shafts and insufficient lubrication brought on by clogged oil passages resulted in premature wear. These engines also tended to overheat, owing to badly engineered, adjacently placed exhaust ports. Admittedly, this car is a gorgeous specimen. Yet, for what it’s worth, I’d prefer a the ’52 or ’53 model years, which had the flathead.
Even Connecticut, in the summertime they got very hot in the sun inside. In back then most of the cars and I don’t know if they did come with air conditioning cuz I know my uncle’s didn’t.
I like it except for the stupid Continental Kit. I think that they only belong on a Continental.
No engine picture ???
There is a guy in our town that has a black ’54 Ford with one of the glass hoods. I knew it was rare and have never seen another one in person. His car has a 429 under that glass!
Beautiful car! It needs to be parked at my place. I had a 4-door Customline that I had full intentions of restoring but a guy stopped by my place to actually look at the wife’s ’57 Poncho, which was parked outside on the driveway. No for sale sign; he just saw it, knocked on the door and made an offer on the Pontiac then he noticed my Ford.
“How much?”
“$5500.00.” I responded. He shrugged and left without a further word. Two hours later a couple of ramp trucks showed up with a cashier’s check and took them both.
Sometimes I’ve got a big mouth…
Cool story!
I wonder how you get the spare off with the connie kit on it?
In 1954, I had three neighbours with then-recent Ford products. One had a 1953 Mercury Monterey with Merc-O-Matic — beautiful car! One had a 1953 Ford Customline Fordor — reliable car. And one had a 1954 Ford Crestline Skyliner — very pretty, though lots of grief with that one: leaks around the sun-roof, and uncomfortably hot in the front seat on a sunny day, even in cool weather. I presume that the restorer of this lovely ’54 long since took care of any leaks. But I don’t know WHAT one does about the “sun-oven” quality of these cars. We at that time had a 1951 Packard 250 Mayfair convertible — great car, lots of power out of that straight-8, fantasic long distance radio, and the Borg clock always kept “perfect” time. The Borg clock in my 1946 Ford Super Deluxe V-8 always kept accurate time, also (many of those Ford clocks were inferior New Haven units — looked the same, but the giveaway was that long stem on the New Haven version, which sometimes got broken-off or badly bent by passengers’ knees. My ’46 suffered from leaks around the oval rear window and the windshield. Vacuum-wipers can be a “challenge”.
no grief with mine, no leaks and not uncomfortably hot on a sunny day or in cool weather
I saw intro viewing of 54 Ford Skyliner at local croyle Township County high school County fair… Skyliner head plexiglass hood for viewing new why block overhead valve engine.. said someday I will have one now at age 86. I do have a yellow body green top with new plexiglass roof and interior. Great restored vehicle except I wanted straight stick with overdrive but most of these models for those who could afford got automatic transmission is my 54 Ford Skyliner is equipped.. also has power brakes.. regular ball joint suspension steers like it has power steering.. great car lots of fun… the 1955 and 56 Ford with a glass roof where only available in the Crown Victoria model..
Wow, what beauties and with the new color combinations. A bit of trivia from my Scandinavian, Kar friends stated that I could find a nice one in their country because many of these vehicles went there due to the colder weather
Nice Ford. I prefer the Mercury Sun Valley version of this in Green over mint. Very striking car.
If I were to see a 1954 Chev standing next to a 1955 Chev on a used car dealers lot both offered at the same price, I would take the ’54 first, every day!