This is probably the nicest car I have owned, so I want to do it right. I appreciate you guys spending the time to school me.
These are a good candidate for a drawer-pull grill, not seen so much these days... http://hotrodresource.com/photos/sc...fits-car-club-owns-this-outstanding-56-buick/
Do a Google search for 1956 Meteors and you'll see the stock grille that came on them. I have two for my Meteor, second one "just in case" as they are hard to come by.
@Chris did you post this pic to instagram a few weeks ago? I saw the same pic there, and its been on my mind ever since
This is my 55 Customline. Bought from a fellow HAMBer a few years back. By no means iconic. 56 Olds headlight bezels, home built grille and bumper. I did 3 inch blocks and Aerostar springs. Might give you a little direction/ inspiration.
This is another good point if you're just getting started on the '55, you can buy new replacement front coil springs for a 2wd 1990 Ford Aerostar minivan for like $55 and they'll fit in the Ford and give you a 3" drop with a real smooth ride. Shorter shocks all around (there's a part number for that but I forget what it is) and 3" lowering blocks in the back will give you a nice stance for an afternoon's work and $100 give or take.
The springs are on order, should be here by Saturday. I have a set of 2" blocks already. I'll have to look into the shock deal.
Put in a nice pearl white interior. Custom on the inside where you can see it. Pinstripes are always nice. And if you really want to be a custom guy, keep the hood closed if you take it to a show!
I am just making ha ha Chris..... Customs are wonderful..I had a 55 custom line once...that was a mild custom..........
So, here's my next question. Are lake pipes kinda uncool? I know people put them on a lot of cars,but it looks like the serious heavy hitters, don't use them . I know these sound like amateur hour questions, but that's what this is really.
Back at Wilson High in '64, a kid had a bright red '55, nosed, decked, shaved handles, simple tube grille, full caps of some sort, and a white tuck-n-roll interior. Lowered with a little rake. This car has always set a standard for me of what a mild custom should be: clean, simple, and un-cluttered.
Its all personal taste, that's the great thing about building a custom...you build what you like. Take a look at a bunch of 55-56 ford customs and pick and choose what you like.
That's where I am right now. I just don't wanna be that guy asking about red wheels and flat black paint......
They're like spotlights, some guys insist on them and some hate them. I like spotlights and I think lakes look great on the right car. The triple-cap ones are kinda dorky (yet I had them on my '53 in high school). I think they could look great on your white '55, they mimic the long straight side trim. I like the look of them on the black one that Mo posted above, that's a good example of a tube grille with the parking lights still in place, too.
'55-'56 Fords have such clean lines to start with. Neat, simple, and understated is the way to go. I love that solid black '55 Mainline with the unmarked cop car look. Most Mainlines were 6 cylinder cars. When you see a V8 Mainline with factory dual exhaust, it's most likely an old cop car.
The Jalopy Journal
