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Projects My 52-54 victoria build

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by voodookustoms, Apr 3, 2015.

  1. image.jpg Hey guys, I wasn't sure if I'd do a build thread on here or not, but I figured I may as well since I'm already taking pictures of everything along the way, and sending them to my dad for suggestions too. He has been an upholsterer for 40 years, working mostly in southern california with some great car builders and featured in many articles and had upholstered many cover cars. So, it's been almost 10 years since I moved away and have been without a classic car. I finally had an opportunity to pick up this Frankenstein 53 victoria. It sat for a few years before I brought it to my place in California. I say Frankenstein because of the 3 piece back window from 52, the 53 dash and front fenders, and the 54 grill, engine and chassis. Here is was the day I brought it home.
    image.jpg
    Since then I have updated the distributer and oil pump to a newer style vacum/mechanical advance, rewired the whole car (with a rebel kit which worked awesome) rebuilt the dash
    image.jpg and cleaned all the guages, had the rear springs rebuilt, lowered the car 5 1/2" up front and about 6 in the back, and c notche'd the frame and shock brace. I've had the gas tank sealed, installed all new fuel and brake lines. I installed disk brakes up front from NascarDave with a new master cylinder and proportioning valve. My latest project was raising the wheel wells and transmission tunnel.
    image.jpg
    Edited:
    So I was kind of rushed when I first posted this, so I'm going to take a little more time and add some of the work that I did before I started this post. Here is a few more of the day I brought it to my dads place in phoenix, only to have it sit and get moved around for the next 5 years or so. IMG_3960.JPG
    IMG_3963.JPG
    And the day I brought it to my place in california
    IMG_6658.JPG
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2015
  2. Reminds me of my pal Dave's confused 32-34 Ford pickup,,looking forward to updates. HRP
     
    lothiandon1940 and voodookustoms like this.
  3. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,822

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I spent a couple of years riding in the back seat of one of those the same color that had a 312 Thunderbird special under the hood in the late 50's. Step father traded a 53/53 Mercury for it.
     
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  4. image.jpg
    image.jpg
    I thought it would be cool to be able to use the original radio again, so I took it apart and installed a bass volume knob hooked up to amp that I have my iPod plugged into. So I have a functional radio now. Also rewired the light to come on with the rest of the dash lights. Nothing quite looking out over a 50's dashboard cruisin down the road.
     

  5. My 1st car was a 1953 Ford- forgot how pretty a 53 dash was- great job-

    I'd take one like this- 52/53/54 would work for me- keep them guessing-
     
    lothiandon1940 and voodookustoms like this.
  6. Thanks for the comments guys. Yes once I realized the difference in the dashes between 52-54, im very happy the 53 was used. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428122589.179591.jpg
    And I know this isn't the best picture, but just to give an idea of the stance, here is how she sits now.
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428122689.190503.jpg
    I've also got these caddy caps that I want to install soon. I still have to figure out exactly how to adapt an outer clip ring to these. I remember seeing a thread on here once before.
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428122774.939417.jpg
    And for anyone with the coker wide whites, they only come in 2 3/8" width and I wanted more, so I got out the grinder to give another 1/2" or so. I'm pretty happy with how they came out.
     
  7. greaser 35
    Joined: Feb 15, 2010
    Posts: 809

    greaser 35
    Member
    from FRANCE

    Very kool!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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  8. I dig it...cool shit from all the years
     
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  9. BLUDICE
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,511

    BLUDICE
    Member

    Wow the stance is great! Those caps will look perfect. There are a couple of threads on here explaining how to adapt them to newer wheels.
     
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  10. young'n'poor
    Joined: Jan 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,281

    young'n'poor
    Member
    from Anoka. MN

    I had a '53 I miss a ton, and I've always loved the 52-54 fords. I can't wait to see what you do with it
     
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  11. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,030

    Mark T
    Member

    Please give us more information about the radio modifications.
     
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  12. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    I like the 52-54 Fords and yours' looks super.. They make great mild customs...
     
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  13. Sure. So I have an iPod hooked up to a crossover and amp hidden in behind my back seat. It was difficult adjusting the volume on the iPod as I was driving, so that made me look into different options. All I did was use one of these http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-AALC-Controller-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003FPD3IS and took the controls and wires out of the case and installed it into the factory radio. It is a very similar control to the original volume adjuster so it actually fit in pretty good. I just had to extend the knob, which I did by epoxying the original adjuster Rod to the volume knob. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428164479.795751.jpg
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428164570.428126.jpg
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428164607.707705.jpg
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428164637.492020.jpg
    Now I just plug the iPod into the input wires and the output goes directly to the amp. Works beautifully. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428164756.506275.jpg
     
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  14. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,030

    Mark T
    Member

    Very cool, so I guess you could actually remove all of the factory parts from inside the factory radio except for the light.
     
  15. I Ya you really could. You would have to mount the rest of the knobs on a false board or a plate because they are attached to all the rest of the internals. But that shouldn't be too hard. You could even epoxy them to the back side of the face plate I guess.
     
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  16. Waiting for more progress
     
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  17. This weekend I had the radiator flushed out, painted and reinstalled.
    Also, it looks like the transmission tunnel and fender modifications I did helped with the rubbing. Shot a little video of me driving by.
     
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  18. Kustomline54
    Joined: Aug 15, 2009
    Posts: 542

    Kustomline54
    Member

    Awesome! You should also post up in the 52-59 ford group. Someone should make that radio set up a sticky, awesome job. Looks great cruising.
     
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  19. My current project is shaving the door handles. I've got the driver side all done. I'll be working on the passenger side next. ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428496485.192884.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428496533.159295.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1428496597.390419.jpg
     
  20. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

    Looks great.
    Seems like most people are using a beauty ring that fits their rim and Gluing it on to the back of the Caddy Wheel cover. There are at least a couple of posts on here and a good tutorial on the net if you google it.
    Torchie
     
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  21. Pinstriper40
    Joined: Sep 24, 2007
    Posts: 3,602

    Pinstriper40
    Member

    Sweet car. I've always liked those, and 53's would be my favorite. Enjoy!
     
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  22. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,369

    Squablow
    Member

    Neat car, sounds real nice too.
     
    voodookustoms likes this.
  23. Thanks. Yes I think that's how I'll end up doing it. I've seen a few how to' son here. I'll save that for another day though. For now I have to finish the other door and rig up a safety cable.
    Next up will be headlights and tail lights.
     
  24. Thanks guys.

    So when I primed the drivers side door, I used a black primer, not thinking about what it would do to the temporary green paint I put over it. It made the green a very deep dark green, almost black looking in the dark. That bugged me, so I ended up scuffing it down and priming it in light grey. I got the passenger door bondo'd and primed in the grey also. I'll sand it down this afternoon and shoot it in the ford green. It should match the rest of the car a little better now.
     
    Outback and Model T1 like this.
  25. Ratatouille
    Joined: Sep 3, 2014
    Posts: 618

    Ratatouille
    Member
    from France

    Yeah, well shave[​IMG]
     
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  26. porky55
    Joined: Aug 23, 2013
    Posts: 269

    porky55
    Member

    Subscribed. Awesome car

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
    voodookustoms likes this.
  27. Cool thank you. I'll be posting more pictures soon.
     
  28. Roger53
    Joined: Aug 8, 2010
    Posts: 383

    Roger53
    Member

    Very nice looking old ford it's pretty hard to beat there looks and Merc's to of course. Roger
     
    voodookustoms likes this.
  29. Thank you. Yes I agree. I think they are great looking cars, and the mercs too. They seem uncommon enough that you don't see them at every show like 49-51 mercs and the shoebox fords, but there are still enough around to draw inspiration from.
     
    flamingokid likes this.
  30. PackardV8
    Joined: Jun 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,170

    PackardV8
    Member

    Reminds me, just last week I saw a similar very nice similar Vickie sitting up in the woods in northeastern Washington and thinking some Ford guy needs to rescue it. (As a Stude guy, I can't touch Fords for fear of getting cooties.)
     

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