AJFord54

Might be Ford, as they used those black rectangular designs from 1954 through the 60s. It has an "L" on the markings, which makes me think driver's side or left. How about a trunk bezel section or a taillight attachment? Would think exterior surround piece due to the heavy nature with attachment holes. Also, check out E-bay # 32350256976. It is not the same but for a '56 Chevy.

Will the library be having its Tuesday sale starting at 4 pm this year? If it was listed, I've missed the announcement.

The late Walt Seeley was the expert on American Underslungs. He had engineered drawings and restored them. I'm sure many of you early AACA members would remember Walt.

So please tell us what you ended up doing.

I don't totally disagree with you ng826723. I have personally seen a situation where public scorning of a vendor actually made him apologize and work at making him treat his customers better. However, we get enough bantering among us that to added beating up a vendor just adds negativity and can be a function of knowing only half of the story. For example, f you ask who to send your chrome work to, you'll receive a good 10 to 12 endorsements. If one of the ones you might be thinking about isn't on the list, you can be pretty sure you should avoid them. (Everyone here is quickly reading between the lines). The system works and we stay positive. As Keiser31 mentioned, you can always pm a person for a one on one. Maybe we should start "endorsing or recommending" a bad vendor by spelling their name backwards.

Better to repost it as "Who do you recommend for dashboard restoration" and perhaps the model and year. Are you looking for wood-grain work? We don't "dis" anyone here due to potential AACA legal liability or perhaps more importantly for someone to just ruin a person's reputation. A positive approach will give you plenty of results.

As you are new to the hobby, perhaps you should consider a visit to Hershey October 11th, 12th and 13th and get a glimpse of what the world of parts is really like for antique cars. There you will find thousands of vendors selling car parts for just about every make, model and year. On a small scale is Carlisle, PA the week before. Both are wonderful learning experiences that also offer cars for sale which will broaden your horizons as to what is available. If you are in another part of the country, know that there are other swap meets that can give you a great education as well. Take your time in purchasing and be very careful with that first purchase. It can be very rewarding. But, issues like hidden rust, bad mechanicals, etc. can be an expensive mistake.

I could be wrong on this, and please advise me if so. I believe the newer rules for AACA are not "as it left the factory" but "as it left the dealership", meaning factory options were acceptable. If this option was truly available and supported Dodge I believe it would be totally acceptable and the AACA rules in fact do cover it. We need a bit more information, but it seems that this is a Dodge option, thus no penalty.

I had one with the gas heater in the front "trunk". When you turned it on, the noise was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think. Additionally, the fumes were unbelievable. I'm sure it wasn't good for you, but they worked well. I'm also sure there were a few that exploded or caught the car on fire.

With regards to the Mobil truck filling up at the Mobil station. I agree with John - We live down the road from United Refining in Warren, PA and I can tell you that every truck from every name brand fills up there. I use the good stuff in my collector car as well as in my boat. It seems that boats are more susceptible to water/condensation than automobiles from the ethanol. I've talked to many mechanics (and this subject has been discussed numerous times on this forum) and they will tell you that ethanol gas is a disaster for chain saws, mowers, trimmers, etc. I personally saw it in my chain saw where the filter had turned to jelly. Thank goodness they gave up on the idea of making it 15%. We'd really be in trouble.

Ben - That's what I was going to mention about the front grill. There were crass comparisons. For me, the guy across the street had one with the push-button transmission and the neat speedometer that resembled one of those compasses suspended in liquid. I thought both features were really neat. When we talk about the grill, I laugh because if you look at some of the most popular cars today, the grill on some is absolutely ugly. First one to come to mind is the new Lexus. It goes to show that ego trumps taste. For me, the grill defines the car, with BMW taking first prize in beauty. Back to the Edsel, sometimes success or failure isn't really a fair game. The recession, one too many cars in the Ford lineup, rumor, etc. all may have entered into the formula for the downfall. Even today, as you look at the car from a collector's point of view - do you look down on it unfairly? I think most do. Finally, as far as Henry Ford II, let us all remember he saved Ford Motor Company with his commitment to the redesigned '49 which was ahead of its time. He may have missed the mark on this one, but his successes far outweighed his failures.

Going for my First Junior. Just have to change out the tires to match and I've got a perfect 400.

Steve- Check your e-mail. Glad to help.

Covercraft - Noah - Great cover! However, I wouldn't leave it or any car cover on outside. I think it's just a formula for scratches and rust. Indoors, or for use at short term meets, the Noah can't be beat. https://www.coverquest.com/products/vehicle/mmy/covercraft?make=Ford&year=1954&model=Sunliner&sub_model=Base&features=Convertible without mirror pockets

I would think you should replace them with original mirrors but of the same patina as the car. As for the tires - you may not use radials unless they were available on the car from the factory, which I am assuming bias were the correct tire for the car. You should research the correct size tire and replace them if necessary. Try contacting Coker, Universal, etc. if you have any confusion as to the proper tire.

I have a two of them - pretty sure no "Pattern". While common, they are class pieces - well made. Yours is especially nice. Great find! Perhaps you might swap for a couple of old replacements from the AACA and offer it to them for the library. I would think they would appreciate it for historical purposes.

If I recall correctly, and would welcome disagreement, you may do "one" of the major upgrades, but not all. HPOF allows a repaint I believe as long as it blends in nicely. However, that would not allow you do make any modifications to the interior or other major areas. I'm sure I'll be questioned on this, but a good friend had his repainted years ago and annually takes his to Hershey and receives his badge - something like 23 of them. Whatever you do, make the changes appear to be aged nicely with the car, ie: Don't have the bumpers rechromed. Instead, search for used ones. Find an interior that is original and replace it if correct. It sounds like the best way would be to have the dents professionally removed and have a really good paint shop blend in an aged looking paint to match. Then, simply buff it.

When I purchased my '54 back in 1987 I videotaped the walk-around with my daughter - then 5 years old - behind and below me. We have on tape for historical and laughing purposes my analysis of the car - "Oh, that top just needs a bit of stretching". "Look at the interior - it's all there", etc. etc. The car was in rough shape, but solid. The plus was it's a convertible. 25 years later, the car is pretty sweet. But.... it was nowhere near the condition of yours......nowhere. I'm reading your post and can feel your enthusiasm. The good news is you can haul it on that same trailer and double your money by scrapping it. The bad news - it's a 4 door and it costs (as was pointed out) just as much to restore one as a convertible. Play with it for awhile but don't drop a dime into it. Check out e-bay and see how much the glass might bring, along with some of the other parts. You might sell some of them and then scrap it. You are about to go deep into a hole where money just gets thrown away. See if you can turn your $200 into $600 and walk away. Telling you this with love in my heart. I suspect you're young and most of us wish we still had your wide-eye excitement for life. Keep the pictures and your post and find the right one to restore - many are out there.

Not quite related, but some of you might get a kick out of this. The same guy that owns the above '54 uses this "baby '54" in parades. I believe he built it himself out of a golf cart, using genuine '54 Ford parts. It's quite quick! (Notice the Chevy behind it).

We have a couple of members in the '54 Ford Club of America that have the see through hood. It was a dealer showroom hood used to show off the new OHV Y block for '54. They very rare, made of plexiglass. When you can get your hands on one, they run around $1400.

No such animal. '54, '55 and '56 only. Also, Crown Victoria didn't exist until 1955. They were call Crestline Victoria in 1952-54. Sounds like a chop-job. Please lead us to the site.

As long as you are short on time to work on it, consider a locked in search on E-bay for seats. You may get lucky and find the exact ones in the proper color. Also do a search for clubs dedicated to Ford Falcons. I don't believe you mentioned the seats you had located on E-bay - were they correct? If so and reasonably priced, I'd jump on them. Please post more photos for us.

Another important point - Not sure where you are at, but the brownstones remind me of New Jersey. Regardless, it must pass the smog inspection (which is rigorous in NJ). You might want to see when it was last inspected and have an agreement that if it doesn't pass, it's a no-go.

See what the oil looks like - thick? Look for an STP can around it. Smell the transmission fluid - see if it is brown or pink. Last thing you want is a bad transmission. Look at the exhaust. Most of us have purchased our first car for bargain $$$ and gotten some time out of them.

Lakeside Chrome in Conneaut, Ohio. Tracy is a great guy, member of AACA and puts out the finest at a very reasonable cost. http://customchromerestoration.com/989890.html