1954 Ford Crestline Skyliner

Description

This 1954 Ford Crestline Skyliner represents the end of the line for the compact 'shoebox' sedan (with the big-body Tri-5 offerings set to enter the market the following year), but Ford seems to have saved the best for last. This incredibly attractive car is a gorgeous example of the sheer beauty of early '50s American design, when Art Deco was still King and bright, pastel-colored ruled the roads. With its unique Skyliner roof (a feature that's made a roaring comeback in modern cars of late), sharp two-tone paint, comfortable A/C interior, and Ford's introductory 239 'Y-Block' drivetrain, this '54 Skyliner is an incredibly special car and a screaming bargain at this price point.

Restored sometime in the not-too-distant past, this is a very stock Ford. With so many becoming customs with chopped tops and suspension-dragging lowering jobs, this 2-door sedan has a refreshing honesty about it. The period-perfect Sandstone White over Cameo Coral paint isn't what this car was born with, but it sure looks fantastic on the curvy '50s Ford bodywork today. It's not perfect, but why would you want it to be, you are going to drive this aren't you? Instead, it has a super-clean, high-end driver-quality look that's always ready to have fun and you can happily take this car anywhere because it fits right in regardless of the situation. The laser-straight sheetmetal reflects beautifully and the body gaps are precise, suggesting that this car was never wrecked or rusty. And whatever minor imperfections you may find can be counted on one hand – the majority of which could likely be eradicated with a high-speed buff-and-wax job. There's plenty of brightwork to make it seem upscale, including a handsome grille that recalls the "bulletnose" Fords of just a few years earlier. The stainless side trim is in excellent shape, there hood and decklid ornaments are early Ford staples, the heavy bumpers look big enough to go through a brick wall, and the round taillights are arguably the beginning of Ford's fascination with jets. Add in the super-cool yellow fog lights, the rear fender skirts, and of course, that amazing glass-top roof and you have one of the coolest Skyliners (and there aren't many of these left on the road to compare) that we've ever seen.

The wonderful interior remains period-correct and almost 100% stock, with a bright 1950s sensibility that perfectly complements the high-impact exterior. Uniquely designed seat covers show practically zero use and age and those matching tri-colored door panels are a lot more dramatic than you might expect from a vehicle of this vintage. All the original gauges remain in the dash, including the domed speedometer up top, and they're joined by a trio of familiar aftermarket dials hanging underneath. The engine-turned dash insert adds some contrast, just like the stainless side trim on the exterior, and it works just as well here to bring the bling. The original AM radio is still in place (although due for an upgrade if you want tunes), as is the clock, and a modern A/C system was discretely added underneath and doesn't draw too much attention to itself. That's the original, dual-ring steering wheel at the helm, which has a rather nice heft to it when you're cruising, and with on-the-column automatic shifting this is a car just about anyone can drive and enjoy. Out back the rear seat has carried nothing more than those neatly stitched pillows, and the spacious trunk was finished correctly with a black mat and matching whitewall spare.

1954 was the first year for Ford's 'Y-block' series of OHV V8s, with this one displacing 239 cubic inches. The newly designed engine makes great torque and nice V8 sounds and with its bright orange valve covers and matching air cleaner it looks perfectly stock under the hoof. Even the oil bath air cleaner's decals, Ford carburetor, intake, and exhaust manifolds are pretty much as they were in 1954. The unique exhaust manifolds wrap around the top of the exhaust ports and feed a throaty dual exhaust system with chubby glasspack-style mufflers, so it certainly sounds the part of a '50s custom but with a little added 'oomph'. Power steering and power front disc brakes are a rather rare sight to behold in a 1954, but they're certainly welcomed as this Skyliner is just a joy to drive. The 2-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and handles the V8's power with ease, and the undercarriage has obviously been well-attended to and is extremely solid everywhere you look. That awesome stance is set atop Coral-colored steelies adorned with period-perfect Ford hubcaps, all of which are wrapped in 205/75/15 Coker Classics wide whitewall radials that finish off the look perfectly.

No surprises, just a super-clean, honest Ford Skyliner. If you've never owned one, you don't know what you're missing and if you're already one of the faithful, this is a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy an old favorite with a unique twist. Call today!