Hello all, My name is Luke and I hail from Ames, Iowa.. I've always had a thing for early 50's American cars. I recently purchased my first conquest, a 1954 Ford Mainline. My intention is to learn about this vehicle and get it up and running reliably before I take on a more expensive car like a 49-51 Ford. It's got a 223 engine with a 3 speed manual transmission, and I intend on keeping it that way. I haven't really found my niche on the web, because practically everybody that runs a message board catered to old Fords is strictly keeping discussion to either flatheads or y-blocks. There isn't nearly as much 6 info available. Anyway, my history pretty much starts in 1999. I come from a family where nobody knows how to change their own oil, so no cool dad or grandpa stories here.. I bought a Volvo 242 in '99 and it broke down so often, and I was so poor that I learned to wrench with the help of another Volvo owner. This led to me owning 5 more since then, the last being a 1980 244 with a Chevy 350 engine (which I built on my own).. Anyway, that car turned into an engagement ring, and after not having any more 240s, I decided it was time to finally give in to my real desire to own an early 50's American car. I really wanted a 50 Ford, but came across a 'good' deal on this 54 of mine. I figure it'll be a good test of my abilities, and won't stretch my wallet too far. My goal with the car is to just get it running reliably, and potentially adding on some period modifications. I am sorry to disappoint anyone on the board, but I attended the GoodGuys Nationals here in Des Moines recently, and it breaks my heart to see so many old cars with brand new engines and so much aluminum in the cabs... I want to retain the 223 engine for two reasons: I'm poor, and I think it's more unusual than the typical V8 swap answer to any old car. I got an email from a HAMB member letting me know that I might have better luck finding the rare odds and ends for my car, and getting better information on this board than anywhere else. So here I am... Anyway, without further ado, here's a photo of my car present day:
Nice into Luke, Welcome to the HAMB! You will find that there's a few 'Inliner's' here for you! Cool looking car. Dave
[ QUOTE ] Welcome aboard! Do you have a drivers fender you'd like to sell??? [/ QUOTE ] I haven't had the car long enough to aquire the stash of spare parts I typically get going when I buy something new, sorry.. I knew of a cheap '54 (450 dollars in the town next to me, but he was only interested in selling it all)
Great Intro, ya came prepared! That ride is nice, good luck with it. This a great place to be. Welcome. Joel
Welcome Luke! Too bad your not closer to Ohio. I know of a couple celerating their 50 th wedding anniversary whos daughter was trying to find a 54 ford to spend the day with. I guess this was the type of car they dated in. Welcome
Now thats a Intro ........ nice car and good luck , there are a ton of things to learn here , just ask ...........
[ QUOTE ] I am sorry to disappoint anyone on the board, but I attended the GoodGuys Nationals here in Des Moines recently, and it breaks my heart to see so many old cars with brand new engines and so much aluminum in the cabs... I want to retain the 223 engine for two reasons: I'm poor, and I think it's more unusual than the typical V8 swap answer to any old car. [/ QUOTE ] You won't be disappointing too many people here, sounds like you've got a good plan. That's a good looking ride. Keep us posted on the updates. Oh yeah, and, welcome.
Hey Luke, Welcome aboard. Like my profile says I'm from Ames too. If you ever want to hit a couple junk yards around here let me know. My favorite one on Dayton was crushed a couple of summers ago, but there are a couple just north of here that might have some spare parts you could use.
[ QUOTE ] Hey Luke, Welcome aboard. Like my profile says I'm from Ames too. If you ever want to hit a couple junk yards around here let me know. My favorite one on Dayton was crushed a couple of summers ago, but there are a couple just north of here that might have some spare parts you could use. [/ QUOTE ] I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but my dream car prior to the fiancee hooking me on shoebox fords was a 52-54 Chevy... The only guy in Ames I know of with one is an older man who had a '52 with an LT1 engine, disk brakes, the whole nine yards. It was black, and he wanted 13,000 bucks for her... I'm a conniseur of Carneys if you ever want to go digging through the bone yard. Do you know of any local car clubs, or connections of that sort?
Welcome Luke, nice intro. You might also want to check out fordsix.com , there's lots of info about ford sixes there.
Welcome Luke. I'm over in Omaha---if you ever get close, stop by. In high school, my best buddy's big brother had a 54 convertible that same maroon color. We usta borrow it all the time. Fun cars.
[ QUOTE ] Welcome Luke. I'm over in Omaha---if you ever get close, stop by. In high school, my best buddy's big brother had a 54 convertible that same maroon color. We usta borrow it all the time. Fun cars. [/ QUOTE ] The fiancee's family is from Council Bluffs, so I get over into your neck of the woods quite a few times during the year. Do you know the name of any good parts shops out there? I get bored sometimes when I'm stuck alone while she's out running around with her family.. I typically go risk life and limb at the pawn shops and hit the sporting goods stores looking for guns and fishing stuff to blow some money on..
Good intro, nice car. Don't feel you have to apologize for going to Goodguys, or anything else,I go, I'm sure quite a few more of us do too. I like all cars, including the high dollar show type. I just came in the house from the shop, disassembling a 50 Ford 2dr to build for my wife Welcome to the HAMB, lotsa good folks here!
Good intro, nice car. Don't feel you have to apologize for going to Goodguys, or anything else,I go, I'm sure quite a few more of us do too. I like all cars, including the high dollar show type. I just came in the house from the shop, disassembling a 50 Ford 2dr to build for my wife. Welcome to the HAMB, lotsa good folks here!
Hey Luke I got your Pm's and responded. I'm originally from Mo. Valley which is like 25 minutes north of CouncilTucky. Give me a ring the next time you are back there and I can tell you some places to hit up.
The Jalopy Journal
