Jalopnik
We've seen 11 Alameda vehicles from the 1950s in this series, but not a single one of them was a Ford product. Well, that changes today! I spotted this heavily customized Ford when I was lured down an East End side street by a quick glimpse of a late-60s Dart, spotting this '54 in all its lowered orangitude just across from the Mopar (don't worry, Dart fans, you'll see that '69 pretty soon). There's no telling which model this car is, what with the utter absence of any sort of trim, but I'm hoping it's a Mainline. Damn, that's a great car name- bring back the Mainline, Ford!
I'm not sure what category this thing falls into, and I don't care. I imagine hair-splitting purists of several camps might be outraged by some aspect or other of this car, but it looks good. That's what counts, right?
Blankets over the seats and plywood door panels. The interior could be a work in progress, or this might be the intended end result. Hey, it looks comfortable!
Shave the handles, lose the trim, but keep the hubcaps!
Even though it looks mean without the grille, I'm hoping there's a grille of some sort in this car's future. 1954 was the first year for Ford's new overhead-valve V8, but we don't know what powerplant lives under that hood. 427 Cammer? One can only hope.
Best of all, the owner of this car also has a lowered '47 Plymouth that's equally sweet. Stay tuned!
Comments
C'mon MM, just pop the hood and let us know what's motivating this beauty! My favorite DOTS vehicle so far.
With each passing day I become more comfortable with the idea of making a pilgrimage out to the magical land of Alameda.
It's got a good look to it. Clearly started as a four door sedan. Also the hubcaps aren't original Ford pieces. They look like Olds Fiestas, but I think they're aftermarket Fiestas.
Mmmm... orange creamsicle.
Murilee, if you hang around this '55 until someone starts it you will instantly know if the engine is original. That's because Ford's old Y-Block V8s had solid lifters and unless the valves had been adjusted within the last week, these engines sounded like a Chinese Band.
@combat chuck:
Mmmm... delicious!
@Bumblebee: I bought a Rand McNally the other day, I actually now know where Alameda is! (I'm in the UK)
Mad car. Needs cherry bombs, of course.
Add a big chrome grill, some dice in the mirror, and its complete.
That grille opening is ready for some serious teeth. The blankets on the seats are perfect as they are, but I hope the plywood on the doors get a veneer of orange and white vinyl.
I'm not a big fan of the shaved look. When it comes to cars, that is. I mean, gratuitous chrome, weapon-like hood ornaments and numerous fancy-fonted badges is what makes a classic a classic.
With out the chrome it may as well be a Camry.
at the risk of sounding stupid... How do you open the doors once the handles are shaved?
A car like that typically gets a 'bar grill' made of horizontal, paralell tubes.
Maybe a 'Carson top.'
Twin Smittys for an exhaust.
It looks kinda funny with the short doors, but you gotta like the car anyway.
Especially the Dreamsicle paint.
@ FREEMAN: The doors have electronic openers. Just press a button on your remote, and if the car gods are smiling today, you're in!
@Triborough: Our beater car is a camry, trim is falling off of it, in some huge chunks (I'm counting the bumper as trim, as it is pretty much ornamental plastic over a styrofoam cooler) and it looks NOTHING like this. If only.
Thank God for East Bay Greasers!!
@biminitwst:
Isn't that a little superfluous with no roof?
@FreeMan: Just reach your hand in and pull the lever. No locks, windows, no roof. No problem.
If you're talking birds, however...
So where's te 47 Plymouth?
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