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The 1954 Ford Crestline was the automaker’s top postwar offering and became the definition of style and innovation.
Interstate Cruising at its Finest
1954 Ford Crestline – carsforsale.com | Shop 1954 Ford Crestline on Carsforsale.com
Postwar America brought the construction of new interstate highways and growing families, and with that came greater demand for comfortable and dependable automobiles. Ford Motor Company realized that need and would go on to produce many of today’s classics that take us back to that exciting era of change, growth, and innovation. One of those classics that helped make Ford a leader in the styling race is today’s cool car find, a 1954 Ford Crestline.
Top-of-the-Line Crestline
The Crestline was introduced to the Ford line in 1952 as its top-of-the-line offering joining the ‘base’ level Mainline, and the ‘intermediate’ level Customline. With all new styling, this was the first major update Ford had made since 1949 and it made the car wider and lower with a one-piece curved windshield, a full-width rear window, protruding round parking lights, and a round three-blade spinner in the center of the grille bar.
While the Mainline and the Customline came standard with either a 215 cubic-inch inline six or a ‘flathead’ 239 cubic-inch V8, the Crestline was powered exclusively by the eight-cylinder engine. The Crestline’s initial release in 1952 offered three transmission options: a standard three-speed manual, a three-speed manual with automatic overdrive, or a Ford-O-Matic. All 1952 Fords shared a 115-inch wheelbase. The Crestline’s body styles for its first year consisted of a two-door Sunliner convertible, a two-door Victoria Hardtop, and a four-door, eight-passenger Country Squire station wagon.
A Final Year
1954 would be the final year for the design theme that had only been introduced two model years earlier. There were only minor styling changes over those two years, but the biggest change for 1954 was the discontinuation of Ford’s long-running Flathead V-8 engine.
The Flathead would be replaced by a new modern overhead-valve “Y-block”. Getting its nickname from its deep-crankcase design, the new engine had the same 239 cubic-inch displacement as the previous one, but now produced 130 horsepower. The Crestline also included optional power windows, power steering, power brakes, and four-way power seats.
Additionally, the Crestline incorporated chrome embellishments throughout: on the window moldings, on the lower part of the back quarter panels, along the side of the body, and even chrome accents along the lower edge of the side windows. The car horn even had, you guessed it, a chrome ring around the horn.
The Skyliner
The final year of the Crestline would also bring the introduction of a new body style to the called the “Skyliner.” A two-door pillarless hardtop, it had a unique futuristic design that featured a green-tinted Plexiglas roof insert panel that offered a panoramic view and gave an increased feeling of spaciousness in this mid-sized vehicle. Special hand-picked teams skilled in the installation of these tops ensured that a proper fit and weatherproofing were achieved. A zip-in shade was provided to help combat the heat and glare from the direct sunlight.
Ford marketed the Skyliner models as “The Glamour Gal of the ’54 Season,” declared it the “most distinctive car under the sun,” and also proclaimed that “Side windows roll down and out of sight to complete this wide-open feeling.”
1954 was the only year this unique body style was offered and a total of 13,144 examples were built with a base price of $2,240. The Skyliner was replaced by the Ford Fairlane in the 1955 model year, but thanks to its innovative roof, this single year offering helped to boost Ford’s image as a great style leader.
Our Cool Car Find Example
One of these “most distinctive car(s) under the sun” is today’s Cool Car Find—a 1954 Ford Crestline Skyline in pristine condition with the original 239 cubic-inch overhead valve Y-block V8 engine.
This engine is rated at 139hp with 193lb/ft. and is paired with a Ford-o-Matic 3-speed automatic with column shift. This rare classic has been repainted with two-tone original Raven Black/White making all of the chrome and stainless really pop. It features 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel disc, new wide-white BFGoodrich bias tires, and rear fender skirts.
1954 Ford Crestline – carsforsale.com | Shop 1954 Ford Crestline on Carsforsale.com
It’s likely you won’t need to search for any vintage car parts as it also has a new fuel tank, and new exhaust and coil-over suspension components. The interior has been refreshed with the original houndstooth upholstery pattern and the turned-metal dash, carpeting, and headliner are all in excellent condition and ready to make your 1950s dream car a reality. And if you’d like to get a feel for other cars of that era check out our Popular Cars from the 1950s article.
My brother has one just like this one !