Most car guys will look past the early 1950s domestic cars and stare fondly at the back nine of the Fabulous Fifties, but not us here at MyStarCollectorCar because we love ‘em all.
We believe the evolution of the post-war automobile began in 1949 with some bold new designs on domestic vehicles.
Jim Sutherland
The new style trend continued until 1955 when Detroit built cars with an even newer design that lit up the early days of the rock and roll era. Consequently, 1954 marked the swan song for outdated car designs, including Ford models that year, but we believe the ’54 Ford represented one of the Blue Oval company’s finest hours, plus it was a bridge model between the past and the present at Ford.
The overall style of the 1954 Ford was linked to the past, but it also offered a vision for the future. Its front clip design is a good example because the car’s front grille had a subtle chrome center ring reminiscent of the Shoe Box Fords, while its front fenders had a ’55 Ford vibe to them.
However, the biggest changes for the 1954 Ford models took place under the hood and under the car because of some major engineering changes. The ’54 Fords built in the United States offered a brand-new V-8 engine for its buyers in the form of an OHV (overhead valve) powerplant that replaced its flathead V-8 engine.
Ford’s OHV engines were a step forward in terms of efficient performance and overall reliability when compared to its flattie engines that predated World War Two. The debut of the OHV engine was a big boost at Ford, although its Canadian counterpart (Ford of Canada) kept the flathead for its 1954 models. Also, Ford trucks in both countries still used flathead engines in 1954.
As for the underneath angle, Ford cars moved away from kingpins and went to ball joints that gave their 1954 models better overall handling and ride improvements.
1954 also marked a year when Ford offered a list of previously unavailable creature comfort options for their Ford models, namely power steering, power brakes, power front seat, and an automatic transmission known as the Ford-O-Matic.
One of the coolest 1954 Ford models was the Crestline Skyliner, a two-door hardtop with a transparent acrylic roof that replaced a metal roof. Over 13,000 ultra-cool Ford Skyliner models were sold in 1954, but they were an overheated oven for passengers during the warm summer months.
Ford offered many exterior and interior color combinations in 1954. In fact, customers could choose between 13 solid exterior color options, 13 two-tone exterior color options, and 23 upholstery combinations for a 1954 Ford buyer to mull over before a purchase. The multitude of choices put a personalized stamp on ’54 Fords for every buyer.
The net result was a huge sales success for Ford when it came to their famous car model. The ’54 Ford’s extra power and extra perks were a big hit with the public and translated into healthy sales numbers for the iconic brand.
It was the right car at the right time for Ford.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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