1954 Customline: Have you seen this trim before?

J

JimNNN

Well-known member
I haven't seen this trim before. I'm speaking of the vertical ribbed chrome beneath the taillights. This car was sold at Barrett Jackson about 10 years ago. Other than that, it looks like a typical stock Customline (Though the wheel covers may be dog dishes with trim rings.) I thought maybe it was Canadian, but the Barrett Jackson ad makes no mention of it that I can see. Anyone else seen this? Is it aftermarket, maybe??



https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1954-FORD-CUSTOM-LINE-4-DOOR-SEDAN-98123


1,000 × 667
 
Last edited:
I agree with darrell, it's probably aftermarket. Warshawsky and JCWhitney had so much stuff to add on to your car.
 
I suppose it could be from an outfit like Whitney. You could use the same trim on 52-54 models, and all of those years sold well, so there would be a big enough market back in the day. Boy, it sure doesn't enhance the looks, though. I always really liked the tail light nacelles and rear fenders of these cars in stock form, and that trim doesn't fit with the clean lines of the factory styling. Just my opinion.
 
Last edited:

Attachments

  • PA080005.jpg
    PA080005.jpg
    61.4 KB · Views: 41
evintho said:
My '54 Customline came with those although they were so rusty, I took them off. You can see the mounting holes in the pic.....
Click to expand...


The plot thickens. Interesting that they were also on a Customline, though I guess that could be coincidence and doesn't rule out an aftermarket source. Thanks for the info, evintho.
 
My 54 2 door post car did not have then, although I was told that my car was
a Customline, but has the Crestline script on the quarter panel as seen in the
photo. I was told that only the Victoria was a Crestline. I would like to know
if that is a fact. Thanks, John:confused:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0903.jpg
    IMG_0903.jpg
    82.2 KB · Views: 23
It's aftermarket. Ford dealers had accessory trim available for that basic area, but nothng like that.

Sal
 
No - Crestline's were the top of the line series and consisted of the Victoria, Sunliner, Skyliner, 4 door and Country Squire

\
jayvee34 said:
My 54 2 door post car did not have then, although I was told that my car was
a Customline, but has the Crestline script on the quarter panel as seen in the
photo. I was told that only the Victoria was a Crestline. I would like to know
if that is a fact. Thanks, John:confused:
Click to expand...
 
JimNNN said:
I haven't seen this trim before. I'm speaking of the vertical ribbed chrome beneath the taillights. This car was sold at Barrett Jackson about 10 years ago. Other than that, it looks like a typical stock Customline (Though the wheel covers may be dog dishes with trim rings.) I thought maybe it was Canadian, but the Barrett Jackson ad makes no mention of it that I can see. Anyone else seen this? Is it aftermarket, maybe??

Those pieces could also be dealer installed options. Back in that era dealers sold a lot of different chrome dress-up items, either before the sale to make the car stand out or to the customer after the sale. My uncles bought a new Customline in 1953 and it came with small chrome pads under the door handles (to prevent paint scratches). It also had outside mirrors mounted on the tops of both front doors which made it look like an undercover cop car-a lot of cars slowed when they saw it!
Click to expand...
 
It looks like the trim pieces from a 54 Mercury to me. I had a 54 merc and if my memory is correct it had trim like that.

Larry
 
It must have been some other car you had Larry, as most every
year and model Mercury of the early to mid '50s Mercs had tail
lights that were placed on that rear vertical area of the I/4 panel.




.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top