1952-59 Ford What if MY car was YOUR car...?

I got this really cool PM from Scott (Skoh73) this morning, and with his permission I thought I'd share it with our members.

"Hi Eric,

I saw your posts in our social group about the fella with who is thinking about getting his ride nosed and decked. What was wrong with your decklid that you decided to completely shave it? I was considering going the route that you have, but if you say that keeping the lock was a common practice, I would just as soon go that way and remove the handle. Do you have any ideas as to how i would manage to procure a lock that might replace the one that I have? Or would you suggest shaving the decklid completely on a '53?

I was also thinking about Frenching the headlights this year, and was considering possible other mild custom touches. For my car in particular, what would you suggest doing? Shaving the trim was something I was also toying around with, but I feel that it may help with the visual "illusion" that the car is lower, which is what I am looking for. I guess what I'm asking is...what would you do if this were your car?

From all of our previous discussions, and seeing your plans for your current rides, I have really fallen in love with the clean mild custom look- no overdone striping, obnoxious chops, or "laying frame". That is what I am hoping for.

Thanks!"

Wow, Scott, I'm flattered. I'll do my best...





Your car is already mechanically good, so I think I'd go for a nice, semi-low, level stance as your first order of business. You've already lowered it in the front with the Aerostar springs, but a couple more inches in the rear to level it off would be a good thing. In my opinion, stance is everything.

A set of functional duals with Porter mufflers and tucked-under tips would be the next step. With your flatty and stick shift, it should sound just great!

I'd go with stock steel wheels and some sort of high-end '50s OEM hubcaps like '55 Fiestas, with or without flippers. And, same-size wide whites all the way around, probably in 215/75/15 size.

Body-wise I'd go for the late-50s SoCal mild custom styling instead of the East Coast "doll-up" vibe you've got going now.

Nose and deck, for sure. I'd remove both the emblem and the bird in front, and as discussed before, I'd remove both the emblem and the bird in the rear as well, using a '55/'56 lock ***embly to activate the trunk mechanism.

(Mine had been welded shut when I got the car, with lots of warpage from the welding of the holes. It was a mess, so I decided to leave it filled, fix the warpage and go with a remote cable. I really didn't have much choice...)

I'd also delete all three antennas, the visor, the bumper guards and the skirts. And the door handles and lock mechanisms. And the V8 emblems from the front fenders. I'd electrify the front doors and use the stock inside handles to open the rear doors. You may want to electrify all four.

I'm with you on the side trim. I'd leave it all just the way it is. The stock moldings do "trim" the car a great deal, and removing it would make the car look "rotund" and a bit dowdy. The stock trim is very good on the '53, with the long spear on the quarter panel to really stretch that part of the car.

I'm very fond of '55 Oldsmobile tail lights ('56s are okay, but I prefer the milder '55s) in these cars, as you know. You can french them in, as I did on my Vicky, or leave the chrome rings intact and simply attach the Olds lenses to your stock Ford lenses. Hudson Jet lenses are also a neat choice, but hard to find. If it was mine, I'd french them in.

Same goes for the front. There are other good headlight treatments, but I really like them simple with the stock rings welded to the fenders and the buckets modified to attach from the rear. I'd leave the stock grille in place as well, with no modifications at all.

For paint? I'd stick with the stock color, just as it is now...with the body blocked and carefully prepared, of course. This would be very subtle, but in my opinion, subtle is the way to go. A touch...and just a touch...of '50s-style pin striping on the hood and deck - probably in ivory - would be the finishing touch. Avoid striping anywhere else. Less, as they say, is more.

And that's about it. How 'bout you rework the couple of photos of your car that I put up at the beginning of this thread to reflect the changes I've suggested? Reading the words is one thing, but a nice photoshopped photo or two is a thousand times better.

 

Good stuff here. I havent searched around yet, but Eric can you post some examples of the 50's style pin striping your referring to? If I search I am not sure if I would know whether its was 50's or not. Like on the trunk, if we were to shave ours and have only a lock, what would you like to see there for striping?

 

Sure, I'd be happy to show some examples but it will take me a while to find good examples.

Here's one that is pure '50s, done by two artists at two different times. The main design was done by Von Dutch, and then later finished by Dean Jeffries. It's a very nice piece, and pure '50s style.



Is it big enough? Actually, this is a modern rendition of the original piece, and not particularly accurate, but it does serve as a good example of the style.

I'll try to scan and post other examples as time goes on.

 

Here's a pretty good example of the mods I suggested to Scott. Makes a very clean looking car. I stole this photo from somewhere, so can't take credit for it. Like many others, it lurks in my photo file...

 

Well personally , I really like the looks of both !
I guess we can all look at any car at any show and think , if this was mine I would do this and that and maybe change this or maybe that color . Look I have done it too . The thing is everyones cars is different from the other persons because it the special look and touches you get to do to your car , because it's yours !
I know you are having some fun but just think about it . That is why this hobby or should I say sickness , is so great and we can do what we want to our chars just for that special thing to say it's mine !

Jim

 

Exactly right, Jim! We're having some fun sharing "takes" on each other's cars.

Scott's going to actually build his car his own way, he just asked me what my ideas for his car would be. For me to do this without being asked would be rude, but he did ask and I hoped that by sharing the process with other members of this social group we'd at least be entertaining if nothing else.

Old guys like me see cars much differently than do young guys like Scott. Not better, necessarily, just through more seasoned eyes.

I think it's to Scott's credit that he has asked me to share my opinions with him. Many people's egos won't allow them to do that.

We're both having fun. Me sharing my opinions, and Scott who's at home doing photoshops of my suggestions, which he will post when he'd finished. That's what he loves to do...especially when it's photos of his own car.

If what I suggested ****s when he actually sees it in photoshop form, so be it. At least we had fun trying to come up with some ideas he'd like.

Hopefully the other members of the social group are enjoying this adventure, too. (And hopefully my ideas won't **** too bad )

We'll see soon enough!

 

Thanks Eric! If money were no object, I would more than likely get most of those things done to my car right now while it is off of the road for the winter- BUT funds and my personal skills and resources are pretty limited right now, so only some of those things will be feasible this year.

I was planning on repainting and running the steelies with trim rings, maybe spider caps (or poor man's equivalent). I am definitely removing the badging and the bird on the hood. I will need to try to track down a lock mechanism like you mentioned (any suggestions fellas?). I definitely want to french the headlights and possibly the taillights depending on how much help I can procure from fellow car folk.

I'll 'shop a version with your ideas and post it when I'm finished.

Thanks again!

 

This might be easier than i thought. I found a 55-57 Fairlane lock housing online for $40. I will try to look for something a little more flush, but this might look pretty sharp.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Just don't lose the visor! that was a cool Ford option,wish I had the bucks to come up with an original,it would be godsend here in Phoenix.

 

I love the visor too! I'm pretty sure I'll keep it.

 

Whatever you do, keep the quarter trim. I really like it on those cars.

Moving the tag to the bumper, and filling in the filler opening cleans up the back half of the car a bunch, its a lot of work if you've got a stock tank though. It also adds more m*** to the bumper, which makes it look visually heavier, and lower too.

In terms of the trunk, that trunk latch popped to mind immediately. I dunno, I like having a completely decked car though, but there isn't anything wrong with a failsafe. I'm still skinny enough to slide through to get into my trunk (****s with the battery back there now I bet).

If it were my car, I'd do everything I did to it! ahah, except maybe the olds headlights. If I had really good fenders, and a set of merc/ford rings, I'd have just frenched those, but I'm glad I went with the olds lamps.

Edit: I'm just sayin', think about it.

 

skoh thats the same trunk lock I have in my 56 Mainline. Its interesting because that one lists in the books as Fairlane series. Maybe the one on my mainline isnt stock, I dont know.

Its in rough shape so I am going to get a new one, but the more I have looked around, I am getting rid of the birds and emblems and going trunk lock only. Then I can tell everyone I am "nosed" and 3/4 decked

 

Skoh I really like your car the way it is since mine started out a twin of yours even with the Seafoam green paint. The first time I did my car I used a tube grille, shaved the hood, trunk, and door handles and painted it Fruehoff yellow. But, I really like ideas you have for yours. I've had my 53 for 36 years and I know that what ever you do to your 53 you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

 

I like your car the way it is, there are little things that look nice that can be changed on any car but it depends on how in depth you want to go. frenching front and rear and nosing it always look good also removing the emblems and script.
I definately like the mild custom touches, especially on the 52- 54. Ive seen some way over chopped stuff that just looks bad. Personally i like the door handles and trunk latch just so I dont have to worry about getting in, I have buddies that shaved the handles and regret it.

Aside from that one thing i wish i did and most likely will do down the road was round the hood to match the trunk, You have to make the front all one piece but you can take it off together.

keep us posted on where you end up
John

 

Thanks for the positive comments fellas. I have the photoshopped version with Eric's suggestions about halfway finished- alot more work than I anticipated. But like I said, I'll post it here as soon as I'm done.

Carnut341- that's amazing that you've had your car for 36 years. I really dig it!

 

Rounded hood corners make these cars. You can do what I did, and just weld the fenders to the rockers and cowl. It makes it seamless (I've also got the inner bits all welded too, it'd be a bear to change anything)

Just an experiment, it won't really take any money, just time. Take off the badges and scripts, and the antennas, and see what you're working with then? You can leave the trunk alone for this, I'm just saying, it should give you a feel for what you want. It also won't take more than an hour to get all the scripts and stuff off (you're lucky you don't have a fordomatic one. That thing ****ed to get off).

Have funn!

 

My 53 has rounded hood corners. Fairly easy to do, looks a lot better, and a lot easier on head injuries!

 

I also love the visors ! Visors always made a good look on a kustom .
I like the side body trim , the dual rear antennas too . Different tail lights would look better . Maybe Frenched and something with a point to it . The tail pipe need to be closer to the bumper or maybe working side pipes would be nice .
But I still like the way it looks now !

Jim

 

if it were mine.... Id drive it. maybe lower it a bit more, and stripe the hell out of it. but really man, it's a car.... what's more, its made fo metal, which means if you nose and deck it then somewhere down the line, you deside you want your emblems and trim pieces back, all you have to do is drill some holes and put it back on. what ever you do make sure your haveing fun doin it, or it's probably not worth doing.

 

I like how everyones ideas are just a little different.

 

Yes all the ideas are a little different , but it really comes down to what you want and like about your car . It's your's to enjoy the hell out of for as long as you live !
I had a couple opinion but if it was really mine , I would leave it alone because it's a really damn good looking car ! So there you go .

Just enjoy your car and give it a few personal touches along the way to make it yours ! We all do that to our cars we have . That's what is so great about this great hobby we have . Everyone has their own opinion on "if it were mine" but it's yours and no one else's !
Now go out and enjoy what no one else has because it's your kustom hotrod and no one has one like it !

Jim

 

I have enjoyed the heck outta this car for the last 2 years and haven't changed anything except for airbrushing the name on the back the day after I got it (wanted to "make it mine") and lowering it with the Aerostar springs. I would like to add a couple other touches sometime soon. I asked for Eric's expert opinion because, well, he was there when a lot of these custom touches were the new thing, and I really value his opinion. It would be pretty easy to get carried away with different changes and then- WHAMO! my car looks like some overkill hackjob from the pages of "Ol' Skool Rodz". I just had to throw that dig in- sorry to the folks who like that 'zine.

Still trying to finish the Photoshop work on my ride. Ice fishing keeps getting in the way...

 

So how is the ice fishing doing ? Getting any good eyes , perch or esox ?
Gotta have some fun there and see how many know what the hell I am talking about .
Do you have your own shack or a portable shack to sit in or are you one of the crazy ones that brave the cold with a big line of tip ups ?

I do understand about having a friend that can help with some of the really crazy ideas we all come up with some times . I will agree about the cars in that mag . I am not that young anymore to be building something like some of those cars . They are nice and sometimes OK but most are not my style . I really like the plane Jane old skool hot rods myself . The ones we mostly had or could afford when we were growing up or like a lot of people call a mild kustom . It just seems that if you go over the top with them you then get to afraid to drive them because something might happen to it . At least that is how I look at it . Some of these paint jobs and all the graphics that some of these cars have are out of this world and I would hate to see something happen to it .
I just love to drive mine around and have some fun with it ! Now that's what it's all about anyway !

Jim

 

I used to go ice fishing with my dad...who would fish for anything, any time. I could never catch onto the idea of driving onto a frozen lake, chopping a hole in the frozen ice, sitting in the freezing cold, enduring the freezing wind, trying to catch a frozen fish...which we never did. Just didn't make sense to me. I mean, after all, you could get frozen fish at the market and not have to freeze your *** off in the process.

 

Ice fishing? Kinda like working on old cars I guess.

Who does it because they have to? And who does it because they want to?

I like ice fishing (despite Father Time telling me 'don't do it - you'll be sorry!' -old joints don't like cold). I don't like working on cars.

So I do, and I don't. Just a matter of perspective, eh?

 

Went out early this a.m. with a buddy and used my portable shanty. Caught a lot of little perch; nothing worth keeping. It was a lot of work lugging all that gear around and my whole body is sore. But we had a good time and that's all that matters.

 

I know there's a message in there somewhere, Ron, but IBD if I can find it? I know it has something to do with freezing your *** off while working on cars...I guess.

 

It's snowing here in Texas today. Big, fluffy flakes that'll be gone in the morning.

Me? You think I'm ice fishing? Not a chance. I'm looking out the window hoping the damn snow will quit so I can get back to working on my cars.

???? Maybe that's what Ron was getting at? Nah...nobody's that in love with the cold.

 

Ha, sorry my ****ogies aren't always clear. Sometimes we do stuff cuz we want to - not because we have to. Despite busted knuckles, burnt forearms, frozen backsides & only catching small perch we keep doing stuff we like to do. Sometimes satisfaction is in the experience itself and not the result.

Some of my mechanical efforts - and fishing trips - are proof of that! But all fun nonetheless.

BTW, -5 outside this a.m. here in sunny but frigid Michigan. Not enough snow to plow though.

 

Growing up in Minnesota my Dad and our neighbor always had an ice house with a woodstove,they were like the movie "Grumpy Old Men" always playing tricks on each other like putting stink bombs ,firecrackers,and smoke bombs down the smokestack to mess with each other.Since we lived on the lake they could walk home which was good 'cause they got pretty snockered with Jim Beam "anti freeze".My uncle ran Harleys on the ice during the Winter Carnival,also they had Jalopy races on the ice off the St.Croix which was fun to see.