If you were young

Definitely a '61 Starliner or a '57 Fairlane 500. I'd put my money into a Rambler American before I'd put a nickel into anything Ch_vy. Especially a Camaro, or tri-five, or Corvette. For that goes I feel that way about anything GM. I'm just about have the same feelings with anything Mopar. I guess I wouldn't mind having a 3 window deuce with a warmed up flathead in it.
 
I'm very partial to the '52-'54 Ford design. I'm surprised they have never been more popular with the hot rod and collector sets.

How about a '54 Crestline Victoria with a 401hp 390 and a T10? Dropped down a bit with bigger tires in back, but otherwise stock appearing. I'm fond of cream over black with black steel wheels and wide whites.

-Dave
 
The same thing I did then-only I would finish this time. '51 Vicky with a Y-block and a three speed. It was completely dechromed with radiused wheel wells. Buick trim on one side only-ran out of money to do the second side.

jim1932 said:
If you wer back in the late 5o's to 60's, with availability and prices. what would you build?
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David Conwill said:
I'm very partial to the '52-'54 Ford design. I'm surprised they have never been more popular with the hot rod and collector sets.

How about a '54 Crestline Victoria with a 401hp 390 and a T10? Dropped down a bit with bigger tires in back, but otherwise stock appearing. I'm fond of cream over black with black steel wheels and wide whites.

-Dave
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Sounds real cool. I would go with Red and Black for colors. No damn fender skirts and Crager SS wheels with blackwall tires.
 
Well now! I can't say I would change anything in my 'car life'... I started out with a '40 Chevy coupe in 1948 when I was 14. I through a bunch of money into the thing trying to turn a pigs ear into a silk purse. I then progressed through four more Chevy's and two Fords which I also sunk mega bucks into trying to make them GO..
When I purchased my '36 Ford in 1952 I made some improvements to it that in some respects made it run and handle better.. I have never regretted that purchase or the money I put into the car... I have driven it 94K in the 59 years I have owned the car..
In 1954 I wanted a new '54 Ford Y block coupe in the worst way... The dealer had a dark green one that I just loved... Since the overhead valve Y block was the big deal in '54, the dealers were not in a dealing mood... They wanted big bucks for the car..
Since I was in the new, newer car mood, I was making good money and my girl friend did not care much for my Hot Rod Ford, I went looking for a late model car to buy because the '54 Ford was beyond my means.
My shopping spree turned up a '50 Olds 88 2dr fast back... The car had less than 20k on the clock, it was in like new condition... Only problem, it was a plain Jane tan color.. The car had about every accessory available on a '50 Olds, V8 AT, etc.. I made a deal to purchase the car for $1,500. cash... Little did I know that I had just purchased one of Detroit's first muscle cars.. The mid year '49 Olds 88's being the first Detroit muscle car. Living in Southern Nevada at the time, there was plenty of road to turn that Olds loose on... It would cruise a 100 + mile after mile with never a whimper.
In 1955 when many of my buddies were goings nuts over the '55 Chevy's I opted for a '53 Olds Rocket 88 2dr post sedan.. The car had less than 11k on the clock, I paid $1,900. for the car, trading in my '50 for $900.
The '53 was faster than the '50.. It would run off and hide from the '55-56 Chevy's.. My girl friend and I got married in 1956, we drove the '53 Olds 85k by the time we sold it...
In 2007 I finally found a '49 Olds 88 2dr fast back... I am currently rebuilding it. I am re-powering it with a '79 Olds 350, 200R4 trans, disk brakes AC, PS, PB, etc.. I am going to paint it the same tan as my '50.
My wife is battling lung cancer, she does not know I have the Olds. I hope to bring it home all done, park it in the driveway and then tell her... GO Look What I Found.
 
David Conwill said:
I'm very partial to the '52-'54 Ford design. I'm surprised they have never been more popular with the hot rod and collector sets.

How about a '54 Crestline Victoria with a 401hp 390 and a T10? Dropped down a bit with bigger tires in back, but otherwise stock appearing. I'm fond of cream over black with black steel wheels and wide whites.

-Dave
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There are now over 800 members on the HAMB 1952-56 Ford Social Group I started in May of '09 from all over the globe, over 23,000 messages are posted and tons of pictures we out number the '55-57 Chevy Group by a bunch :D I guess you could say we are just late starters ;)
 
It's funny you mention Tri-Five Chevrolets. Line a '52 Ford up next to a '55 Chevrolet and the Ford still looks very contemporary. A '52 Chevrolet next to a '55 Ford looks positively ancient.

I guess that was part of the planned-obsolescence strategy, though.

Anyway, glad the '52-'54s (and the '55-'56s, which I've always seen more of at shows and in magazines) are getting the respect and recognition they deserve in the Internet age.

-Dave
 
I'd like to have what I have now, a 1955 Ford Victoria, only with a laser staight body. With a 312 cu in Y-block with a mild cam and tri-power, and a toploader 4sp, headers and a good looking interior to match, highly polished torque thruster two wheels, red and white two tone paint exterior Sweet............
 
Ok, a couple more have come to me, although I think the ’54 still ranks first in my heart. I found the gasser/tow-car combo mentioned above rather compelling, so I came up with a 428/auto ’59 Edsel wagon on chrome-reverse wheels pulling a 430-powered, full-fendered Model A gasser.

Speaking of 430s, my dad had a friend with a glass-top ’56 with a Lincoln 430 and a manual transmission rolling on un-polished five-spoke mags. He said the gas gauge went down almost as quickly as the speedo went up!

-Dave
 
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