1954 Ford Club of America August 16th to 19th 2012

Port Hueneme California Convention 1954 ford Club of America 9th annual august 16th to 19th 2012 some very clean 1954 fords.At first, or even second glance, there's very little about the 1954 Ford cars that looks revolutionary, with their conservative styling only modestly updated from 1952. Dig a little deeper, though, and you'll find a new overhead-valve V-8 engine, a modern, compliant front suspension and luxurious new power accessories. A striking, fresh body style, the Skyliner, also sets the 1954 Fords apart. Although they play second fiddle to the Thunderbird-influenced 1955-'57 models in desirability, 1954 Fords deserve a second look on their own merit.
When the Ford lineup was restyled after the contemporary and successful 1949-1951 run, the rounded lines and soft forms were exchanged for a filled-out appearance that underlined the car's 1-inch increase in wheelbase and near-2-inch bump in overall size. Curved, one-piece windshields and increased glass were combined with taller fenders, hood and trunk lid to make the cars appear both airier above the beltline and boxier below. The cars' new combined grille and bumper assembly was similar to that used by Hudson in 1954, while the round "afterburner" taillamps set a trend in Ford styling that lasted through the 1960s.
Subtle exterior changes greeted shoppers of 1954 Ford cars. Half-inch-taller front fenders and a revised grille treatment with a central spinner and circular, instead of rectangular, parking lamps were noticeable up front, while in some models, the body sides lost their split-level chrome trim and heavy rear fender accents in favor of an attractive single chrome strip and subtler fender accents. A new instrument panel with revised gauges and different switchgear greeted occupants. An attractive engine-turned trim panel accented the dashboards, a sporty cue that would reappear in 1955 Thunderbirds.
Three series of Fords continued into 1954, with Mainlines being the base models, Customlines in the middle and upper-crust Crestlines on top. Mainlines were available in two-door Ranch Wagon, Tudor Sedan, Fordor Sedan and Business Coupe forms, while Customlines lost the three-passenger Business Coupe in favor of a six-passenger Club Coupe and a four-door Country Sedan station wagon. The premium Crestline series included the four-door Town Sedan, two-door Victoria hardtop, Sunliner Convertible Coupe, the faux maple grain-trimmed Country Squire station wagon, and a new addition, the Victoria-based Skyliner. This final model, whose Mercury twin was the Sun Valley, incorporated a fixed, blue-green-tinted 1/4-inch-thick plexiglass roof insert over the front passenger compartment that included a snap-on fabric shade to block sun and heat; after this year, it would be called the Crown Victoria, and the retractable hardtop Skyliner would appear in 1957.
Following previous practice, Mainline Fords were the most basic, with standard features such as the naturally back-lit "Astra-Dial Control Panel" speedometer, a driver's sun visor, a horn button, rubber floor mats and cotton-padded seat cushions. Customlines added a passenger sun visor, steering wheel horn ring, front and rear armrests and foam rubber seat cushions. Crestlines spoiled their owners with robe cords, a two-tone instrument panel, deluxe exterior and interior trim and front and rear carpeting. Country Squire wagons featured a Stowaway center seat and two-piece removable rear seat, counterbalanced liftgate hinges and color-matched, ribbed linoleum flooring in the luggage area.
Ford offered a new level of luxury to the buyers of low-priced cars in 1954, when power features more often found on Lincolns could be optioned in their everyday vehicles. Swift Sure power brakes and Master Guide power steering could be grouped with power windows and a four-way power front bench seat. Further options included a heater, a radio, the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, and overdrive for the standard three-speed manual gearbox. With two engine choices, a slew of options, 156 possible exterior color combinations and 23 upholstery patterns, it was possible to create a Ford to suit any taste.