1952-59 Ford curious why 55 and 56 are included with 52-54 group

I never got why people included these cars together? not much really interchanges between the two, and they don't have any external similarities. I'm not mad or think 55 and 56s look bad i just think 55 and 56 are another ball game.

 

Mechanically they use almost the same powertrains which interchange,the overall body shape and design is very similar and many times parts can be adapted between the two years for a custom look,the dash is a different matter as the '55 with all the round accessories is one year only.The biggest change in the 50's Fords came in '57 style wise and also the much desired 9" inch rear made it's appearance,

 

well i guess if you go by the powertrain i can see, i was also going to ask why lincolns are not included because from 52-55 they look very similiar to mercs and fords but if you go by the powertrain they are a whole nother animal

 

i still really dont see body shape being similiar due to the wrap around windshield they came out in 55. maybe the closest part in similarity are the doors.

 

If you question the 55 and 56, why not question the 54? The ch***is has nothing in comon with a 53.

 

well thats actually a good point 1954 is the only one with y block and with the tubeular front crossmember. to be honest when i originnally started this post I was judging purely on how these cars looked on the outside

 

this may all be true, but i think alot of the knowledge from folks on this site, or group overlap all these yrs.

 

Why not? I think Jeff worked this group perfectly.....

 

Thanks Geno,some of you old timers might remember when I started the Group in May '09 it was the 1952-54 Ford Group several months later I changed it to the 1952-56 Ford Group and that came into being as I realized the interchangeability of the '54-56 ch***is and power train.I guess it was a really good move because as I mentioned recently if you click on Social Group brands we are #2 in the number of members and way ahead of the 1949-51 Shoebox Fords and even the '55-57 Chevys

 

Jeff , I joined this group as soon as you change it to the 52 to 56 group ! There is the other 55/56 group but nothing goes on there .
I am also a Ford Shoebox lover and owner of a 49 and 50 tudors . That shoebox group ****s ! I can't get anyone to do anything there . It's hard to enjoy the cars you build and own when there is no support to help you along with the problems we all come across . That's one thing we are NOT short of here !
I guess 1952 was the big change in Fords and so many people still own them . They also remember Fords big jump ahead with the new , more modern looking cars in 1952 also . Then in 1957 things got really strange for the next few years of the crazy designs and FINS ! Then that's a totally different story all together !

Jim

 

The entire 50s was a transitional period for the auto industry. Major driveline upgrades were often unnoticed under subtle bodystyle changes, which actually makes it difficult to separate any particular model year from the others. But then, body style changes were often the only major changes between some years.

Some might argue the '57 should be included too; it was the the Yblock's swan song performance-wise while other driveline enhancements were intro'd.

IMO, I think the years included are just right, it's got the evolution from kingpins and Henry's flathead in '52, to control arm suspension and the YBlock in '54, to many of the new standard safety features (seat belts, indented steering wheel) in '56.

 

'55 and '56 Fords definitely have their differences, but the '54 was basically the bridge between the '52-'53 and '55-'56. It's like a '53 body on '55 underpinnings (sort of). That's why I call '54s the "******* child" of the 50's... I love em all, personally.

 

I think Jeff nailed it, and I'm glad he did- otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to know so many of you. I'm almost tempted to suggest a group get-together show, we have so many members now.