Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by TJ

You might want to buy the V-8 Club's 52-53 Ford book. It's a two volume set with a ton of information on these cars. These Fords are still affordable for young people on a budget that desire to get into the hobby. My first car was a '52 Merc in 1960. It was "nosed" and "decked" with lake pipes and Dodge Lancer caps. It had a flathead with a Merc-o-matic . Wish I had it back.

I do plan on buying the books through my V8 club. And I agree on affordability. I am still a younger guy, and while having some cars that every nut and bolt cost an arm and a leg (33-34 fords) it is nice to have a neat old Ford that is a lot less cost wise, and also parts are easier to get at auto parts stores. I am just excited to own a car my whole family can easily ride in...my wife, son and I crammed in my roadster last Saturday to go on a V8 club tour and it was TIGHT! Those kids' car seat are wider then the average human!

Hopefully in the next week or two the 53 will be on the road

[TJ]

Looks like the tail lamp lenses are 56 Olds. I'll bet that car has some good history to it.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by TJ

Looks like the tail lamp lenses are 56 Olds. I'll bet that car has some good history to it.

I actually put those in to add to the mild "custom" vibe. This car is probably what a high school or college kid with a part time job would have done. Simple bolt on stuff to make the car stand out

[Lawson Cox]

I put them on a 50 company car, They looked neat, cost very little.

[Chris]

I went and picked up my Vicky parts car tonight, I was really excited to dig through all the parts! NOS tail light housings, crest trim, tail light lenses and stars, u joint, turn signal housings, even a cigarette lighter! NORS includes a ton of parts to rebuild the front end. Got a couple spare radios, a spare grill incase I want to swap to an original, recored radiator, even a set of NOS hubcaps! The car itself is actually pretty nice. Has typical quarter panel and rocker rot, but hopefully a project someone will want. I really like the black/white with green interior.

[Chris]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Also had this neat little 50's "Yankee" side mirror that is in excellent shape and looks better then the 60's style mirror the convertible had on it when I bouight it.

[cmbrucew]

Chris
I would rather have your luck than a license to steal.
You seem to have a knack for finding nice cars.
Congratulations on this one.
Bruce

[FL&WVMIKE]

That is very similar to the Victoria, that I sold, back in the 60s, as I mentioned in an earlier post.
I still have some weld in fender patch panels, if you need them, also some NOS stainless moldings which go on the rear fenders. the slanted ones. You look like you need the patch panels. Very reasonable.
Thanks,
MIKE (mikeburch)

[Chris]

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

That is very similar to the Victoria, that I sold, back in the 60s, as I mentioned in an earlier post.
I still have some weld in fender patch panels, if you need them, also some NOS stainless moldings which go on the rear fenders. the slanted ones. You look like you need the patch panels. Very reasonable.
Thanks,
MIKE (mikeburch)

Thanks, sent you a PM

[Chris]

I got a lot done over the weekend, started by running new wiring to the rear lights in the car. The old wiring was really shot and the only thing that worked were running lights. Now run and brake lights work, license light and even the gas gauge I was very impressed with how dry this car is, the rear floor pan looks great under all the red dirt I keep finding everywhere (car came from Utah)

To access the wiring I had to pull the rear seat and drivers side panel. While it was off I put new rollers on the window as the rears were not hooked up (rollers broke, popped off track). Got both sides done and put the top up for the first time (manually). It needs a top desperatly and I have a loose appointment to have one installed over winter. But for now it will be a good weather car. Not much left to do mechanicly, still need to look into why one brake locks up and install a seat belt for the kiddo while the seat is out...then I can start in on the fun stuff of buffing and cleaning...watch the old girl come back to life

[FL&WVMIKE]

CHRIS ............................
I don't know how to post photos in the Private Messages, so I am posting them here.
I will sell all of these NOS 1953 Ford parts, to you, for $60.00 plus $15.00 postage.
I thought that both fender lip patched were the same until I laid them out. They must be for different models. It would not be too difficult to shorten or lengthen them to the correct length. The angle of the camera exagerated the difference in the lengths.
Thank you,
MIKE (mikeburch)

[Chris]

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

CHRIS ............................
I don't know how to post photos in the Private Messages, so I am posting them here.
I will sell all of these NOS 1953 Ford parts, to you, for $60.00 plus $15.00 postage.
I thought that both fender lip patched were the same until I laid them out. They must be for different models. It would not be too difficult to shorten or lengthen them to the correct length. The angle of the camera exagerated the difference in the lengths.
Thank you,
MIKE (mikeburch)

Thanks Mike, check your PM's

[tonydennisadw]

had a 52 conv in that color that i got in 57 loved that car first car was a 50 plymouth 4 d business mans coup that dad insisted i buy for first car saw the 52 knew had to have.. happy crusin

[tonydennisadw]

mike mikeburch how about a weld panel for front right fender lower back also and inner brace to it

[FL&WVMIKE]

Originally Posted by tonydennisadw

mike mikeburch how about a weld panel for front right fender lower back also and inner brace to it

tonydennisadw ..........................
Sorry, those are he only panels that I have and Chris wants those.
MIKE (mikeburch)

[JAKEFORD]

That is a cute car. Reminds me of my old 53 Victoria 2 dr hardtop.

[Chris]

I think I figured out my rear brake locking issue...I pulled the drum off last night and noticed that the shoes would not go in as far as they should...neither side was up against the anchor pin. I fiddled around with them seeing if anything was binding or hanging up, and without any problem I could see I pulled the shoes off. Looked eveything over and eveything looked fine, so I re-installed everything, bolted the wheel back on, hit the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Fluid coming from that wheel. So off comes the drum again and I see the front side of the wheel cylinder blew the dust cover off. I pulled everything back off, and found the cup behind the piston had turned crooked in there.

So I think what happened was the wheel cylinder was messed up the whole time, and would not allow the brakes to seat all the way down like they are supposed to. Me fooling with the brakes probably caused the wheel cylinder to blow. At least thats what I am guessing happened. Have to pick up a set of rear shoes now, but I think it should solve the problem.


Oh, and yes I was the one that out the cylinders together. I alwasy take them apart to inspect them and make sure they were together correctly

[Chris]

Got a set of new shoes yesterday and had the drums turned. Put it all together and everything looks good. Just need to swap the new shows on the other side, bleed the system and test drive it.

[TJ]

Hang onto that parts car. That automatic steering column is worth a few bucks. Also those 52-53 cars had some axle problems and I have seen more than one break when guys were on tours. Not sure why , but I have seen three broken axles on these cars. One guy was lucky and had a spare axle in the trunk. Says he threw it in the back at the last minute just before he left to go to a V-8 meet.

[itsa52]

Looks like you are going to need some parts for the top mechanism too.. I switched my Merc back to hydraulic, love it.. Ford went back to hydraulic in 54, Merc in 55, not sure why they switched Ford first