‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

F

Fortunateson

Well-known member
‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

Okay guys as the title states can anyone give a good approximation of the weight of the empty bare body shell of a Victoria?
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

If you are trying to determine how many guys you need to lift one off the frame, they're pretty light. It's not the weight that is the problem, it is the bulk.
I used one wench hooked from the garage ceiling to cowl bolts at both ends and had one guy on each side at the back lift the body up (front clip previously removed), so a third guy could roll the frame out from under it. Then I slid very long, heavy duty sawhorses under the car (one front and one at the back).
A complete '55 Ford 4-dr sedan weighs about 4400#. The bare body weighs only a fraction of that.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

Thanks. I got a screaming deal on a 440/880 electric hoist from Princess Auto and was hoping it would be able to lift the ‘56 and my ‘32 body shells as it would be a lot easier than my engine hoist. Looks like a scored on my impulse purchase!

I was thinking of a 4x4 in the middle of the roof in order to do it myself...?
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

The tops are referred to as a hard top but I don't know if it will hold the weight well in only a single position. The center of gravity would have to be right on the mony and it may try to slip. Be very careful not to do damage. I'd use an h-frame with positions to connect lower on the sides of the body myself. The top would be very difficult to repair if it gets stretched.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

If I were going to try to do what you want, I would build two separate trapeze supports. I'm certain a 4"x4" wood post about 8 ft long could be used for the bottom of each. Drill a hole thru the ends and affix each with an eye-bolt for attachment to a heavy-duty chain (like a light-duty logging chain). Run lengths of chain from the bottom supports up and connect them to another beam. Affix a 1-ton cable hoist to the center of each beam. The two beams (one at each end) could be 4" steel channels.
But you'd need a very high ceiling like in a pole barn to make room for the overhead hoist and be able to raise the body up enough to have room to roll the car frame out from under it.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

I have a ten foot ceiling so I’m sure the body would clear the chassis enough to roll it out, perhaps with slightly deflated tires. This project is a long ways off so I was more interested if the electric hoist could do the job. If I rig the hoist for 880 pounds I should be okay I would think.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

You raise (pun not intended) a good point. And I do know that the Victoria’s are hardtop but I like using that word...LOL
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

Daves55Sedan said:
If you are trying to determine how many guys you need to lift one off the frame, they're pretty light. It's not the weight that is the problem, it is the bulk.
I used one wench hooked from the garage ceiling to cowl bolts at both ends and had one guy on each side at the back lift the body up (front clip previously removed), so a third guy could roll the frame out from under it. Then I slid very long, heavy duty sawhorses under the car (one front and one at the back).
A complete '55 Ford 4-dr sedan weighs about 4400#. The bare body weighs only a fraction of that.
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I'm guessing a winch would have worked better. ;);)





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Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

Oooops, yes I meant winch. I don't think a 1700's Irish pub waitress can help us with any of this.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

477151


1956 Meteor Victoria - from the original French Canadian Sales Brochure.
 
Re: ‘56 Meteor/Ford Body Shell Weight?

As a kid, my dad was a car salesman, so as long as I can remember, it was
a very big deal when the NEW cars were debuted each fall.

It was so interesting to see all the New cars and their distinct styling.

Today, bla-bla-bla, ho-hum for the most part. Only a few worth looking at. :(





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