Best way to tell is by the first three characters of the VIN, that specifies what model/type it is. I don't have the breakdown handy but either the lovefords.ord website or 59fords.com site should have a VIN breakdown posted. I've got a 1959 Galaxie, and from the brocures I have the only visual difference I see is the interior colors, but anything that old probably won't be stock.
1959 Ford model designations. 58E Custom 300 4-dr sedan 64F Custom 300 2-dr sedan 64G Custom 300 business sedan 58A Fairlane Town Sedan 4-dr 64A Fairlane Club Sedan 2-dr 57A Fairlane 500 4-dr hardtop Victoria 58B Fairlane 500 Town Sedan 4-dr 63A Fairlane 500 2-dr hardtop Victoria 64B Fairlane 500 Club Sedan 2-dr 51A Galaxie Retractable Hardtop Convertible 54A Galaxie Town Sedan 4-dr 64H Galaxie Club Sedan 2-dr 65A Galaxie 2-dr hardtop Victoria 75A Galaxie 4-dr hardtop Victoria 76B Galaxie Sunliner Convertible
Thanks guys, I can't get to vin yet. I can only see the car from about 5ft. away. It's a 6cyl. 3spd manual. The interior is suppossed to be green with a black front seat. The car has been painted red and white. It appears to be rotted pretty bad and it was rolled over for a movie. It's still supposed to run and drive. I can probably get it for whatever it would bring in scrap. I really have no interest in it, but it looks like there may be some salvagable trim pieces and glass. I was told about the car because it was supposed to be a Y block/manual tranny. I'm at least gonna get the steering wheel for my model A project. The guy that owns it is losing his storage so he has to scrap it. He's an artist and was gonna cut the rear clip off to make a couch for his studio.
I'm not familiar with the roof differences, the side trim is just a single spear that starts on fender dips on the door and continues to the quarter.
Custom 300, Fairlane and Farlane 500 series have the old style top. The mid year change to the Galaxe models was where the formal roof comes in. The new models were originally called Fairlane 500 Galaxie, which also added to the confusion. I also have the model designations for station wagons. If anyone needs them, I will post them too.
Early Fairlane and Fairlane 500s also had that roof line. The other car pictured has the newer Galaxie roof. The blue car is a Custom 300. If your car has side trim like it, then it is also a Custom 300. If the side trim is like the other car, and the top is like the blue car, then it is from the Fairlane series. Confusing...you betcha.
I can't see the quarters down that low. The car has junk piled around it. I'm gonna stop tonight and see if I can get a better look. Where is the VIN located.
The plate should be inside the drivers door jamb/hinged pillar. And if I recall, I think the VIN is also stamped on the passenger side frame somewhere.
The Merc is practically a bolt in. The Desoto will probably require some body work and bracket fabrication. Nothing major, and well worth the effort judging by what I see on that green Galaxie. Looks a lot better than the '59 Edsel bumper, with rolled pan between, on my '59.
I really like that Desoto bumper. Hopefully I can find one and try to stick that thing on. I'm not a big fan of the '59 Ford Bumpers and grill. 1 of the top things on my list I'd like to change. I'd like to see your custom bumper setup vertible!
For many years, I ran a tube grille in it over the Edsel and roll pan setup. I welded the three pieces of the chrome piece that surrounds the grille together and painted them body color. After 23 years of looking at it, I took the tube grille out, over the winter, and went back with the stocker. It looks pretty good to me with the stock grille and the painted surround. Probably never post a picture of it on here 'cause it has lakers, dummy spots, radial tires, Lee Plastics diamond tail light lenses and '59 Caddy taillights installed in place of the original back up lights. All stuff that I like, but will get your balls severly busted here. I just don't want to hear it...know what I mean?
Agreed, You didnt build that car to please everybody else! Plus there are people on here that'll appreciate the creativity. Post UP!
The VIN is also stamped on the passenger frame rail right under the battery...which means it's prolly no longer readable because of battery corrosion/rust. My 55 has no number left on the frame. As was said before...VIN is stamped on the data plate next to the driver's door hinges on the A-pillar..
The '57 DeDoto bumper is a very nice item,and was used on many customs.Not real difficult to mount,though a little wide.Finding one will be the hard part,and be advised they are not cheap if in decent shape. Hope you locate one.
and here, is mine. wasn't my favorite car, but it grew on me. Gift from my Dad, his last antique car. asks me every time he calls if i've done any work on it.
Maybe I can get my son to take some current pix of my sled when he gets in from work. Don't expect much if I do post...It is an OLD (23 years now...just had another anniversary)build and has plenty of paint flaws and road rash. Also, as I said before, I put it together my way. I even raised the car back up some after I moved to Georgia because we live on a dirt road that is kept in terrible condition. If it is ok for me to hi-jack this thread for a minute, I have a tip on '59 Ford doors that may help someone. The 2-dr sedan, 2-dr hardtop, and convertible doors will all interchange. The way this works is because on a two door sedan door, the window frame and associated parts are bolted into the door shell. Say you have a good 2-dr sedan door that you need to use on a convt., all you have to do is unbolt the sedan window frame and bolt your convt. parts back into the shell. Hopes this helps someone.
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