Projects 56 Vicky Build

[venturesomerite]

1956 Ford Victoria 2dr - her name is Abby

So I've known this car all my life, was one of my father's cars that fell to the wayside, and now I'm bringing her back to life.

She's been sitting in this spot for 15 years, uncovered, neglected and forgotten. She was hot rodded some 20 years ago, stout FE motor and a 4 speed, traction bars, nosed and decked, louvered hood, battery in the trunk, etc.


I spent a few days doing to the basics, clean cap and rotor, new plugs, oil down the cylinders, oil and filter, gas filter, battery, clean up the grounds etc. Good bath helped alot, shot some rusty spots with primer to buy me some time.

Surprisingly the brakes still work, it was the steering that was seized, but a can of pb blaster later, she steers, not great, but it moves.

Managed to get her to run off a gas jug, as the gas tank has many pinholes in it and won't hold gas. She doesn't sound too bad for not running in 15 years.

Plans are to slowly repair as I can get time and or money. I'm thinking a matte black paint job, and eventually a ps, pdb conversion, but for now I just want her road worthy.

Major area's of concern at the moment are the brakes, front cross member is rotted out, and it seems to need a clutch.



Motor almost as I found it



Motor after being cleaned and some work done.










Video - Click picture to view

[hotrodj54]

very cool car, was that allways a local car?

[venturesomerite]

As far as I know, I can tell you for sure it's been here for 20 years, before that I couldn't say anything definitive. have you seen it somewhere else?

[captainjunk#2]

looks pretty cool , i like it , post some more pics as you work on it

[Strange Agent]

Please don't paint that thing matte black.

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by Strange Agent

Please don't paint that thing matte black.

Lol, what color would you prefer? Paint is a long time away, that that is my while doing body work color of choice. Easy to spray on as I take it one panel at a time.

[Strange Agent]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

Lol, what color would you prefer? Paint is a long time away, that that is my while doing body work color of choice. Easy to spray on as I take it one panel at a time.

Sorry, I have a hard time keeping my opinion to myself. I'm cool with almost any color, I just hate matte/flat paint.

It just ruins the look of a good car. Do what you will.

[flatford39]

Originally Posted by Strange Agent

Please don't paint that thing matte black.

I agree...that is too good a car to paint flat black. Shiny red or black would do it justice.

[waycool_jr]

Very nice, sounds great too!

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by flatford39

I agree...that is too good a car to paint flat black. Shiny red or black would do it justice.

Red is def out, I have a red and white Fairlane 500 of the same year.

Ultimately I would love a gloss black paint job, but while I repair the body, which will def take me years, I was just going to do something that comes in a can so I can strip, fix and repaint easily to keep from rusting.

[brewster55]

my car is going flat black for the same reason as yours.

i get the same comments from people, but they never seem to want to donate money or help the process of getting the car a shiny color.

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by brewster55

my car is going flat black for the same reason as yours.

i get the same comments from people, but they never seem to want to donate money or help the process of getting the car a shiny color.

Lol, isn't that strange? Maybe we'll take up a fund.

[Hot Rod Elvis]

Awesome car! I love 56's! It sounds healthy too! if it were me...I paint it two tone Peacock Blue and White (Ford color for 56, kind of a turquoise) Can't wait to see more progress!

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Elvis

Awesome car! I love 56's! It sounds healthy too! if it were me...I paint it two tone Peacock Blue and White (Ford color for 56, kind of a turquoise) Can't wait to see more progress!

Thanks!
What's funny is that is the color scheme it was from the factory. It's all up in the air, and doesn't need to land for many a year.

[hotrodj54]

no i havent seen it and ive lived in stratford my entire life lol, thats why i was wondering. good luck with the project.....john

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by hotrodj54

no i havent seen it and ive lived in stratford my entire life lol, thats why i was wondering. good luck with the project.....john

She lives in Newtown, and hasn't moved in 15 years, so it might be a combo of those two.

Where abouts in Strat, I'm by Wooster.

[Chrome Streamliner]

Great car to start with, There aren't many better looking cars than a 56 Victoria!

Good Luck !

[jcur]

Perfect choice. I'm working on a 56 vic myself with a 390FE ready to drop in. I lived my first 40 years in CT, just east of Willimantic. Tough area for old iron. I'm in Arkansas now and it's still tough to find good parts for a 56 vic. A lesson learned: Lots of hard to find "one year only" chrome pieces, so protect yours if you plan to use them. ie. grill, parking light housings, and all side window frames. Most pitted real bad.

FYI, there is a social group (hamb sub-group) on here dedicated to 52-56 Fords, in case you missed it.

Good luck with your project.

[Bucknsac]

It's great to know there's another Vicky being restored...incredible car, there just aren't enough of them. Growing up my Dad had two painted bright red and a still has a black Crown and you just can't go wrong with those colors.

[raceron1120]

Great to see another '56 Vicky getting resurrected! And it's also nice to have some history for it.

Link for some great folks and source info - the '52-'56 Ford social group here on the HAMB: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332

I've owned my Fairlane since the mid 60s. Like yours, it sat for many years unprotected and ravaged by the elements. I recently had it restored, and I love the mid-50s tutones that these cars were designed for and painted. Had mine done in original '56 Ford colors of Peacock Blue and Colonial White:

[venturesomerite]

Nice car!

Yeah I'm pretty in love with the body too. I've been a member of that social group for a while, I just don't post much.

[343w]

I had a 56 Sunliner in high school, love that body style, you go man!

[hotrodj54]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

She lives in Newtown, and hasn't moved in 15 years, so it might be a combo of those two.

Where abouts in Strat, I'm by Wooster.

so am i lol, im across from the field.....john

[OahuEli]

Man oh man, what a great project! The icing on the cake is the FE & 4 speed. Which FE is it? Those valve covers kinda remind me of a 427. The 55-56 Fords have been favorites of mine since I was a little tyke and I really want to get ahold of one once my F1 is done.
I don't care what color you paint it, its your car after all, just keep the thread going so we can see the progress. A healthy cam & headers would really wake this car up.

[Bob37]

[QUOTE=venturesomerite;6899951]Nice car!

Yeah I'm pretty in love with the body too. I've been a member of that social group for a while, I just don't post much.[/QUOTE

Looks like a great project! What type of headers on on your car?
My FE powered '56 has the stock "flat" non-breathing type. It's not easy to find headers for this application.

[venturesomerite]

I want to say it is a stroked and bored 390, but haven't been able to confirm it. Nobody (like uncles and such) can remember what motor is it, just that it was stout as hell and would burn the tires off in a heart beat.

I'll have to go looking for numbers on the heads, and I can't really make out the ones on the block, I'll see if I can't clean it a little better and read them.

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by Bob37

Looks like a great project! What type of headers on on your car?
My FE powered '56 has the stock "flat" non-breathing type. It's not easy to find headers for this application.

Haven't honestly paid attention to them, but they are logs of some kind, not headers.

[venturesomerite]

Ok so I took a look fir some block castings on the motor and what found is a backwards 105 under the drivers side head and also "u4te" or "o4te" under the front pass side. Kinda worn at the top, but I'm leaning toward o. Might even be a d, really hard to tell.

Also right by the oil filter is a 1178, 117 is clear but the casting on what looks like an 8 is crappy.

Found two markings between the center two cyls on the drivers side. One is 8090c and the other is c3ae.


Can someone help me decode

Thanks
Brian

[Hdonlybob]

Great project, especially since it was your Fathers!!
And really a very cool car.
Go with the flat black!
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Cheers.............

[venturesomerite]

thanks!

bump for number help.

I'm getting maybe a 390 truck motor with the numbers.


I know the motor is bored and stroked, but I'd like to know what it used to be untill I ahve a good reason to take it apart and measure accurately.

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

Ok so I took a look fir some block castings on the motor and what found is a backwards 105 under the drivers side head and also "u4te" or "o4te" under the front pass side. Kinda worn at the top, but I'm leaning toward o. Might even be a d, really hard to tell.

Also right by the oil filter is a 1178, 117 is clear but the casting on what looks like an 8 is crappy.

Found two markings between the center two cyls on the drivers side. One is 8090c and the other is c3ae.


Can someone help me decode

Thanks
Brian

The C3AE means a 1963 FE, could be anything from a 352 to a 427, the key is in the letters and numbers after the C3AE. The "u4te" or "o4te" on the head is probably C4TE. C stands for 1960s, 4 is the actual year, T stands for truck and the E is just the engine group. If you drop the pan and get numbers off the crank & a rod that will tell the story. That'd be cool if you had a 427 in there! The word "Sleeper" comes to mind. lol

[1951Streamliner]

Great looking car. I wont give you crap for the flat black because obviously it isnt the "finished" color, which is as old school as it gets. Run it in primer until you get to the paint. Maybe a red oxide colored primer would look better on this car though, help it stand out more. Maybe a cream colored roof or whatnot..? Just until you get to the final paint stage.

Also, dont forget the bias ply wide whites.. those make almost any paint job acceptable

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by OahuEli

The C3AE means a 1963 FE, could be anything from a 352 to a 427, the key is in the letters and numbers after the C3AE. The "u4te" or "o4te" on the head is probably C4TE. C stands for 1960s, 4 is the actual year, T stands for truck and the E is just the engine group. If you drop the pan and get numbers off the crank & a rod that will tell the story. That'd be cool if you had a 427 in there! The word "Sleeper" comes to mind. lol

Yoi have it backwards, the C3AE is off the head, the u4te is on the side of the block, passenger front.

[venturesomerite]

Hot cap, rotor and some wires in today. Pumped the pedal twice and it started right up almost instantly, I am very happy about that.

More pictures, because everyone likes pictures!


Block casting





Head Casting







Front Cross Member damage (the real reason I can't drive at the moment)





Over all, not too bad


















On a side note, can anyone tell my what car these wheels are off of, I have a full set in the trunk.

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

Yoi have it backwards, the C3AE is off the head, the u4te is on the side of the block, passenger front.

Gotcha, but double check the "u4te". The first letter of a casting code denotes years; C is '60s, D is '70s, E is '80s etc. Don't know if they did it after the '80s, can't remember working on an engine that new. Sounds like you have a 1964 truck block with '63 heads. Being bored and stroke it could be anything and finding out would be the fun part. How many bolts are in the exhaust manifolds?

[TimeWarpF100]

Originally Posted by OahuEli

Gotcha, but double check the "u4te". The first letter of a casting code denotes years; C is '60s, D is '70s, E is '80s etc. Don't know if they did it after the '80s, can't remember working on an engine that new. Sounds like you have a 1964 truck block with '63 heads. Being bored and stroke it could be anything and finding out would be the fun part. How many bolts are in the exhaust manifolds?

Thats clearly a D4TE block or 1974 Truck. 360 most likely.

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by TimeWarpF100

Thats clearly a D4TE block or 1974 Truck. 360 most likely.

Yup, didn't see the pic before I posted the response. (I type slow lol). Definitely has 1963 heads, time to drop the pan!

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by OahuEli

Gotcha, but double check the "u4te". The first letter of a casting code denotes years; C is '60s, D is '70s, E is '80s etc. Don't know if they did it after the '80s, can't remember working on an engine that new. Sounds like you have a 1964 truck block with '63 heads. Being bored and stroke it could be anything and finding out would be the fun part. How many bolts are in the exhaust manifolds?

It was built by the same guy who built one of my dads other 57 fairlane 500's. Sounds very similar. That one was a.030 over 390 with a nice cam.
People have told me that this one "was bored and stroked and all that nonsense" and that's all they could recall.



I would agree after trying to look it up, because there is no other letter that look like that other than d for the year. In person, it really looks more like a u or o.


Two bolts per cylinder on the exhaust manifold. 5 bolts on the valve cover.

[venturesomerite]

I located the small metal tag that was glued to the engine block. You can make out the rectangle shape in one of the motor pictures above. I have absolutely no idea what it means though, perhaps someone can shed some light.

My best guess is that it was put there by the engine builder, but I don't know what the codes mean.


Tag reads:

A85 J4944 030
010 010

Any ideas?

[Strange Agent]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

Ultimately I would love a gloss black paint job, but while I repair the body, which will def take me years, I was just going to do something that comes in a can so I can strip, fix and repaint easily to keep from rusting.

Why not leave it how it is for the time being? Put some red primer on the parts you're repairing.

Just a thought, in my mind flat black is a step backwards from where you are now.

Originally Posted by brewster55

i get the same comments from people, but they never seem to want to donate money or help the process of getting the car a shiny color.

Just because I have good taste doesn't mean I'm willing to pay for you to experience the same good taste.

[TexasDart]

Those wheels came off a 1980s Crown Vic.

[OahuEli]

Originally Posted by venturesomerite

I located the small metal tag that was glued to the engine block. You can make out the rectangle shape in one of the motor pictures above. I have absolutely no idea what it means though, perhaps someone can shed some light.

My best guess is that it was put there by the engine builder, but I don't know what the codes mean.


Tag reads:

A85 J4944 030
010 010

Any ideas?

Just taking a guess and think the A85 and J4944 might be some identifier from a machine shop or the builder like you said, 030 might be the overbore on the block and the 010 010 makes me think the main and rod journals on the crank were turned .010". You can drop the pan, pull a couple of caps and check the backs of the bearings to see if they are oversize. At the same time you can get the casting #s off the crank and rods. I'm really curious to see what you have there.

[gassercrazy41]

def. lower it....

[billys54]

Nice start

[venturesomerite]

So today I finally got her indoors for the first time in over 15 years.

I stopped at an old abandoned hotdog stand along the way that my father always said he wanted to buy. Here's the picture I took.

[hotrodj54]

very cool....john

[venturesomerite]

After years of anticipation, I have finally gotten to work on her!
It's actually doable no because it is where I have tools, and don't have to bring things with me, and indoors, so I might actually get something done.

Thank god my dad only bought the car, and did not build it! I know he would never do the kinda work that I found!

Started out by removing the seats, and carpet. Front seats were held on my some bent carriage bolts, and rear seats were held on by hose clamps, yeah, hose clamps.

Cleaned out yet MORE ACORNS! Everytime I think I got em all, there's more.












Then I saw the trans tunnel for the first time. I knew it was a hack job, but I had no idea..... But atleast now I know why it was so hard to hit reverse, it was hitting the tunnel.











Then, it gets worse....














And what you see here is all bondo and undercoating, from the outside! Never mind what I chipped off the inside.










Remove some metal, find some bondo....Remove some metal, find some bondo....
















And when all the crap is out, this is what I am left with.











All in all, there were 14 patches botched together to make a tunnel. I would estimate conservatively that there were 150 self tapping screws, and around 200 pop rivets, with give or take 3-4 gallons of bondo, and god knows how much of 3 different kinds of epoxy. If you're gonna go through all that trouble, why do that bad of a job? I mean, come on that had to have taken a long time to do.












Well, I guess it was worth it though, found two nice suprises. Didn't know I had a hurst shifter (whole shifter, not just the stick) and an ansen bell housing.

















Stay tuned to see what surprises I find next!

[OahuEli]

Well at least it'll be easy to change the clutch.

[n.z.rodder]

Wow what a sleeper, hot FE, 4 speed, coil-overs, leaves and traction bars, looks like someone was up for a little Friday night stop light action. I hope the outside is not as bad as the trans tunnel!

Scotty.

[venturesomerite]

The clutch was done the like a week before it was parked and forgotten.

I hope the outside doesn't hold this kinda surprise. Gonna have to clean the hood and trunk and check the nose and decking job....

Everyone feel free to share your favorite sheet metal places, I need to start looking.

[mjlangley]

That is a big hole...

Nice car, great drivetrain!

[porknbeaner]

Originally Posted by Strange Agent

Please don't paint that thing matte black.

But why?

Vickys are pretty cool. Our first race car was a '55 Vic. We loved that car.

Ours was the original tan and white BTW. But that was a long time ago and the paint was still solid all it needed was a serious waxing. Once we got it dialed in we had to wax it ourselves.

The new project looks pretty cool.

[bigd4xman]

First thing I would do, get it running nice and strong again, second thing I would do since the front x member is junk anyhow is tube frame the front and throw a straight axle under there. As for paint, there are so many other primer colors besides flat black and you can get it tinted to just about any color as well these days. I love the 55-56 Vickies and Fairlanes, I'm on the hunt for one now actually.

[Normbc9]

The '56 Ford cars were all classy to me. This Crown Vic is a sure fire stand out. The original 312 Y block has been warmed up a bit too. The Bright work Y block is a 332 that has another '56 Vic waiting for it too.
Normbc9

[Cut55]

Gotta' love the '56 Vicky. Lower it, level front to back, FE, shiny black. I want one! You have your work, ahem, 'cut out' for you here but it's worth saving.

[venturesomerite]

I had some time today so I got out the wire wheel to strip a few spots to see what I'm up against here.

I am convinced that by the time I am done, the car will be 300 lbs lighter, there is more bondo on this car than I have ever seen.....

On the plus side, there is a half inch of bondo over straight clean metal too, so maybe it was preserving it? Of course, found some more questionable repairs, and some not even tryings....













When fit and finish is critical, always reach for a big @$$ wood screw.






At this point I turned out the lights and went home for the night. I guess I'll start getting good at body work, or make some friends that can.

[OahuEli]

Whoa, I hate to say it but it looks like the car needs to be completely stripped to bare metal. No telling what other "surprises" may be under that paint (and bondo). Can you see the insides of the doors, fenders and inside the body? In any event, its still a pretty cool project and if it were mine I would definitely keep at it.

[metalman]

Damn, what a cool car. Other then the 4 speed that's just like the 56 Vicky I had in 77 (mine had a C6), nosed, decked, black upolstery, heathy FE. Brings back memories, most good like buying used tires Saturday afternoon and burning them completely up Saturday night! Some bad memories like having to sell it during a divorce. Make me want to look for another one!
That tunnel is quite the piece of work, I agree, why would anyone put that much effort in such a poor job. Guess they did the best with what they had as far as skills, tools, ect. Sure am spoiled out here in the desert, you got your work cut out for you with the rust issues. I'm with someone else that commented, I'd replace the rusty front cross member with a straight axle!

[mjlangley]

That is a lot of plastic...

[sted]

new guy here old time hot rodder. this is my intro,love 55 an 56 fords u have a nice 1 here i like this place already.

[lippy]

Congrats, neat car. I did a 56 vic for a friend and replaced half the sheetmetal on the car. LOL. But it was worth it, turned out nice. You will have fun with that car. Lippy

[richie rebel]

love 56's, good luck with the build,will be watching..........

[pigpen1]

I had one back in the 70's with a bad front x member. lost both a arms , luckily i was only doing about 20 mph when they tore out.
i'd put a straight axle under it and have a badass gasser

[fleetbob50]

Here's the fix for your front crossmemeber
Got mine from Goodell Fabricatons, P.O.Box 234, Coweta, Ok.74429. Phone 918-486-6498. Very good service and quick delivery. I think $299 plus shipping. Fit perfect.

[BOP-Nut]

Wow, sucks to find all of that hackjob work. Neat car though.

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by lippy

Congrats, neat car. I did a 56 vic for a friend and replaced half the sheetmetal on the car. LOL. But it was worth it, turned out nice. You will have fun with that car. Lippy

Nice! any other pics I could oooogle at? What color is that coppery/bronze? I really like it.

[raceron1120]

Any updates? Looking forward to seeing the progress on your '56.

[venturesomerite]

Unfortunately no. Haven't had too muchtime to do anything. It did get filled with a complete bar set, and a whole bunch off tools on the hood and roof (no where else to put them right now..)

I plan on getting back in the swing of things soon enough. Been trying to sell my 57, too many toys, need to focus.

[OahuEli]

Focus, Grasshopper! We want see this old girl come back to life!

[Spooky]

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! Not a gasser!

If anything a mild kustom would be fit for this old girl.

The finned valve covers are cool, but be sneaky and swap them out for a set of '58 Edsel pieces.

Paint them and the engine in white and letter as such.
I won't tell anyone.

[venturesomerite]

Haven't had any time to work on her lately. Aside from that, she's covered in stuff (lack of room) and I'm building a bobber. I have had some time to day dream.


-Thinking of going with the same general interior that is in there now. Keeping the bench, probably going to add lap belts.
-Paint will be satin black, and all trim will be black chrome.
-Rims will be the stockers painted body color with black chrome baby moons and trim rings. Toying with the idea of a mini tub and some wider steelies in back.
-Drive train will be what's there now, freshened up and painted.
-Body work will be fixing all the bondo, holes and crap going on. I have a set of crown vic bezels that I am going to mold into the fenders, and make the headlights mount from inside the fender. Going to keep the nosed and decked lids, and the hood louvers (love them!)
-Also going to shave and fill the gas fill.
-Already has a bat in the trunk, so going to make a better mount for it and put a fuel cell in the trunk. Got some custom tail lights from the 70's I will be running.
-Keeping the side trim
-Shaving the antenna off completely
-Filling the radio hole in the dash, as well as the gauge holes that are in there (they are not evenly spaced)
-I want to put a tube grille on the front, and some marker lights behind that.
MIGHT suicide the hood.
MIGHT also shave the door handles and locks.

[venturesomerite]

Got pushed aside for a while, had to move my shop etc....

Finally got a chance to do a little work today. Removed, you guessed it, more bondo. Also pulled the headlights, grille, and a fender.








What's behind the fender, bondo hair around the fresh air duct, literally an inch thick. This is getting kinda old here...





Makes you need a coffee.... Oh wait, that's the other side of air duct, maxwell house coffee can!

[venturesomerite]

Not much to update. Been picking away at the body work, smoothing out some of the factory seams, like in the rear where the back panel meets the quarter. Waiting to see what I can find at the upcoming swap meets, though I don't know how much time I'll have to look, I need to be selling my 57 ford stuff.

[Chrisbcritter]

Be glad you don't have to contend with the mod I saw on a '56... I was in Temple City on my way to Pick-a-Part about 15 years ago and saw a baby blue '56 convertible with my favorite accessory - a For Sale sign. Looking closer, the top didn't seem right; its framework was made from aluminum tubing and there were no side wells. The windshield frame looked odd, too - big slot around the top edge.

Verdict? Somebody made a sort-of-convertible out of a glasstop Skyliner...

[Mr48chev]

I've always liked those 55/56 Vics and jet black has always been the color that spun my wheels on one.

Even though I'm another guy tired of seeing all the flat black cars (they weren't really all black or flat black in those old black and white photos) I can well relate to the seal and protect it as you go and work on a panel at a time thing.

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by Mr48chev

I've always liked those 55/56 Vics and jet black has always been the color that spun my wheels on one.

Even though I'm another guy tired of seeing all the flat black cars (they weren't really all black or flat black in those old black and white photos) I can well relate to the seal and protect it as you go and work on a panel at a time thing.

Nice to hear someone actually get it. I would love to have a nice shinny super high gloss black on the car, I think the color just absolutley suits the chrome and body lines, but alas... I'm a regular person, and not rich. Maybe in due time.

[venturesomerite]

I've also begun playing around with tail light ideas... I really like the look of say a merc wagon light, but I want to do something I've never seen. I'll probably end up making some.

[n847]

Cool Project! You should check out Butch's cool stuff he's got all kind of good stuff. Including tube grills!

http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/grilles.htm

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by n847

Cool Project! You should check out Butch's cool stuff he's got all kind of good stuff. Including tube grills!

http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/grilles.htm

know of any other good sites for stuff?

[venturesomerite]

Have been doing some research and learning stuff. Trying to truely make up my mind, and compromise between what I want (and drive it 10 years from now) and what I need and (drive it a year from now).

Also, Debating between making a power steering set up work, vs repairing the manual steering, and converting to power brakes vs, manual. In either case I will be running a dual MC and disks in front.

Also now thinking about running those lincoln rims I posted earlier...

[n847]

No way man you can't do it those cars look so good with steel wheels right from the factory!

[robertsregal]

Great looking Vic. Loose the door handles & locks. I would clean & polish the grill you have I think thats a good look. With your limited space work one or two panels at a time into primer it will seem to go quicker and you will see progress to fuel further progress and have a good foundation for paint. I would find a autobody supply store you like and stay with the same product line all the way through. It looks like you are lucky to have all the stainless trim, once cleaned and polished she will look killer.

[venturesomerite]

Thanks guys. Simple but good advice about sticking with the same body products.

I also have decided against the Lincoln rims after mocking one next to the car.

On that note, does anyone know where I can get a wider steel wheel, I want to run some fatter tires in the rear. The stock rims will work just fine for me for the front. I think ultimately I'm going to just run black steelies and dog dishes/baby moons

[n847]

Theres a guy here on the hamb who was dirt cheap, but I don't see him in the aliance vendors, and I can't remember the name of the company but you could order custom back spacing. You could also go with Wheel Vintiques. They are pretty reasonable and they have an aliance discount. I'd also check Speeway. I'll look around and see if I can find that other website.

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/

[n847]

Found em...Goes by Wheelkid here on the HAMB. Rally America is the web site. Sounds like your better off to call him if you need something!
http://www.rallyamerica.com/

[venturesomerite]

thanks! still debating how wide to in the rear, but that should prove handy in the future

[venturesomerite]

Did me a little work today, got rid of the gas fill, plate mount, plate light and the dip and holes where the plate light went.

Just roughed in at the moment, still needs more welding and grinding.
Plate is just duct taped on right now, still debating plate light and plate mount methods.


An older before picture:




Now:




I think after I finish this part up, and also patch in the rest of the lip that gets hidden under the bumper, I am going to work on grafting the skin from a 57 fairlane to patch this trunk lid. Should prove interesting.

[slobroy]

The Crown Victoria Association has a list of suppliers for 55 56 fords in their newsletter. Also Dennis Carpenter has alot of reproduction pieces you'll need. Like door molding rubber and fuzzies. He has a good selection of parts for these cars. Oh and check out the original ford colors for 56. We did my dad's car back to the one he bought new in 56. Fiesta Red and Raven Black. Of all the colors they offered back then this is the one that has the attitude for a hot ride. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

[-impalamike-]

very cool project

[1951Streamliner]

"and all trim will be black chrome"

..Black chrome??

[venturesomerite]

Originally Posted by 1951Streamliner

"and all trim will be black chrome"

..Black chrome??

An example can be seen here.

[teejay99]

I don't envy all the sweat you're putting into this project but don't stop ! You're making progress ....just keep doing a little at a time . I think it's going to look great .

T

[venturesomerite]

Did a little more work today:



Also smoothed one of the seams where the quarter meets the under trunk part. Welded them up, and also added some material to smooth the lower part's transition to the lip as well:

Here's the one I didn't do yet for reference.



And the smoothed one.

[venturesomerite]

Got some free time, so now the motor is ready to be pulled.
If anyone is wondering why I pulled the whole front clip to get the*motor out, I didn't It's all rusty and shitty, and all needs to come off anyways. I have to get some steel to make up a cradle before I can pull the motor. I'm also going to pull the dash and fab up my new trans tunnel/floor before I pull and paint the motor. If you wonder why I have to pull the dash, just scroll back a page or two and look at the grand canyon in the car.





Also out of curiosity, I wacked the bondo air duct with a hammer. Turns out it's HVAC duct metal, wrapped in masking tape to hold the shape, then fiberglasses. So I guess no bondo there at least. And yey, another coffee Can!!

[OahuEli]

Man what a mess! I admire your perseverance though and suspect that in the end you'll have a kickass car.

[gas4blood]

Nice! I had a black '56 Vicky in High School back in the mid '60's. That car cost me $200, a not so small fortune for me at the time. 312, auto, magnificent black paint on a perfect body. Wish I had it back.

[Fortunateson]

[/QUOTE]

With all of the front sheet metal removed I don't think you'll need those louvers! LOL Seriously, keep at it. I have a '56 Meteor Rideau Victoria that's waiting it's turn. I had to replace the front cross member but had an excellent original to use. Mine is going to be all stock unless I lower the front a little. Great body style. My 2nd model kit was an AMT '56 which came with the Meteor grill. You will no doubt finish before I do. EMS makes some good patch panels. Good Luck!

[venturesomerite]

Started stripping some more paint. I actually found a good surprise for once, clean sheet metal.




Also started stripping the hood, I have to say, I kinda expected the louvers to be bondoed on like the ricers do with the scoops.

[Dos Cincos]

Any updates on your build?

[HOTRODPRIMER]

I just read the entire thread,,missed it the first couple of times around.

Sounds like it's been like our wagon,,on again off again,,these rough old cars can be overwhelming when the more you dig the worse it gets.

I hope you get back on it,,if it makes you feel and better about your project,,it took me 9 years from start to finish. HRP

[venturesomerite]

No updates. Haven't had the space or money to do anything, as I've had a few trucks in my shop. I also had to pull the 7.3 out of my truck, so that took up every inch of space I had.

I'm not at all discouraged, just wish I was at a point where I could start to dedicate even a saturday a month to her, but she'll get done when she's done.

I'm also in the process of shutting down one business and starting another, while also considering moving locations, so you know, not a lot of free time.

[venturesomerite]

Haven't done much, got some time today so I plucked her heart out.




Here's the view from the batcave:

[OahuEli]

Hey a little progress is better than no progress. Even cleaning parts puts you further ahead and doesn't cost much. Still watchin'!