I finally got around to detailing the engine of my 1954 California Highway Patrol Ford Mainline and here are some pictures. The car is 100% correct and exactly as equipped by the CHP in 1954.
I forgot to post a pic of the correct original G.E. transmitter & receiver which takes up most of the trunk!
Congratulations Alan, the car is everything you hoped it would be, even down to the 120 speedometer, the work is outstanding, now get out there and catch some of those hot rodders! HRP
So Alan, was there a bigger engine in the 54 police interceptor than the 239? Like a 256 Mercury y-block? I know they did some not offered to the public engine options in mid 50's police packages. Thanks
Excellent job, Alan! Were the CHP cars of the '50s all two doors? I wouldn't know cuz that's 2 years older than I am.
Yes, the '54 Ford police cars offered the 256 Mercury Y-Block as an option but every real police car that I have seen (including mine) has had the 256 rather than a 6 cyl or 239 which is understandable. CHP used 2 door cars through the late 50's when they switched to 4 door cars. The reason for this is that the original mission of the CHP was traffic enforcement and accident investigation only and they made no arrests, thus no need for 4 door patrol cars. I am partial to 2 door cars so that is why I choose to do a CHP car.
In our pictorial Archives you will see that the 1954 Ford Police Interceptors were also used by the U.S. Army to patrol the Autobahn in Germany.
I have this 1954 supplement Manual, you can see the Police Interceptor section here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/187461206861? Alan, were you able to find the 1954 dual exhaust setup ?
Hi Jeff. Yes, the exhaust manifolds on my engine are the correct EBU type, including the optional dual exhaust driver's side. I also have the correct cast iron block-off plate for the p***enger side manifold.
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