The Ford Barn

Chris · 07-13-2015, 09:47 AM

The annual Spokane Swap Meet was this weekend that my V8 chapter puts on and I spotted this 53 Ford convertible in the cars for sale area. I saw the asking price and knew I needed it. These cars are not worth a ton but even so it was less then a lot of guys pay for just a model A body. It has sat for 10-15 years. I got it home and with a battery, some gas and filing the points she fired up and runs like a watch.
I think it was restored in the 60's-70's. It is a very dry car but does have some funky patch work from rear quarter rust and repaired radius rear wheel wells. But otherwise a very nice body. I plan on fixing the "old home repairs" down the road but for now will not hurt anything. The tube grill, filled hood, floor shift dual exhaust and old radius wheel wells show evidence to being an old mild hot rod or custom.
I have been looking for a sort of "turn key" family car that was neat but does not need a full resto and was affordable. This fit the bill perfect.
The engine is a stock 8BA with a stock 3 speed with a Hurst floor shift. The Hurst manual was in the trunk and dated 1964. The car came with a parts car with an OD trans so I may put that in along with back to column shift down the road...
For now, I need to get the engine tuned up, do the brakes, gas tank, some other monkeying around and get a top on it. The top is pretty bad. Probably tires too. These look good but are ancient. I want to lower the rear a little, and back at the swap got a pair of old fakey Caddy caps and NOS Foxcraft skirts (although the skirts don't fit but you get the idea)
So here it is, the new family truckster.

I am new to 52-54 Fords, so this will be fun! My friend Bruce called it an "instant fun" car. And now my Dad is looking for a 53 convertible for himself

(he had a few Vicky's a few years back)
Also If anyone has any fender skirts for sale please let me know

19Fordy · 07-13-2015, 10:04 AM

Congrats! Nice looking car with a custom touch.

Mart · 07-13-2015, 10:09 AM

Pretty sweet, Chris.

Ross F-1 · 07-13-2015, 10:10 AM

LOL on the funnel! Very nice car by the looks of it!

Vic Piano · 07-13-2015, 10:19 AM

Outstand Chris! I've had my '53 Crestline Sunliner for 42 years, my first Convertible, and I love it. After seeing your photos, I've got to get to work building the Flathead I've got for it, and get it back on the road. Have fun with the car.

donald1950 · 07-13-2015, 10:19 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

very nice ! ! ! i like the blue fuel line supercharger. is that an origonal "go fast" item?

Chris · 07-13-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donald1950

very nice ! ! ! i like the blue fuel line supercharger. is that an origonal "go fast" item?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross F-1

LOL on the funnel! Very nice car by the looks of it!

Hey, I had to fill the float bowl somehow

Chris · 07-13-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

Outstand Chris! I've had my '53 Crestline Sunliner for 42 years, my first Convertible, and I love it. After seeing your photos, I've got to get to work building the Flathead I've got for it, and get it back on the road. Have fun with the car.

If you have a spare "K" wheel laying around I'm accepting donations

Tim Ayers · 07-13-2015, 11:21 AM

Love it, man. Best of luck with it. What is the ballpark price for one of these? It looks like a great entryway into a post-war convert.

Displayman · 07-13-2015, 11:26 AM

Nice car!
You will have a lot of fun with that ragtop.

Bob-Hampshire, Ill.

Vic Piano · 07-13-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

If you have a spare "K" wheel laying around I'm accepting donations

I wish...

mhsprecher · 07-13-2015, 11:32 AM

Very cool! Nice score. I always liked the 53's. A convert is the best!

Chris · 07-13-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Love it, man. Best of luck with it. What is the ballpark price for one of these? It looks like a great entryway into a post-war convert.

I don't know what they go for, I never really looked into them. He was asking 6500.00 and he came down some from that. It needs work and is not perfect, but I think I got a good buy on it, and it fit my budget so I can haul the whole family around. The price he sold it to me for is what he paid for it 10-15 years ago...he just wanted his money back. I was looking for something not needing a ton of work but was still cool. Never figured it would be a neat ol convertible.

My kiddo is getting big and needs a place to ride

Mike B · 07-13-2015, 11:59 AM

You won't get very far with a gas tank that size

Nice car!

Tim Ayers · 07-13-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I don't know what they go for, I never really looked into them. He was asking 6500.00 and he came down some from that. It needs work and is not perfect, but I think I got a good buy on it, and it fit my budget so I can haul the whole family around. The price he sold it to me for is what he paid for it 10-15 years ago...he just wanted his money back. I was looking for something not needing a ton of work but was still cool. Never figured it would be a neat ol convertible.

My kiddo is getting big and needs a place to ride

Awesome pict. I hear ya. I'd be all over that for that price. You did good.

funrunr · 07-13-2015, 12:37 PM

What a great looking car, enjoy it all you can!

PRRJim · 07-13-2015, 12:38 PM

I like the box in the trunk. It has to be nearly as old as the cat itself. Don't throw it away!

trulyvintage · 07-13-2015, 12:43 PM

Chris,

What a beauty ...

Jim

Oakhurst · 07-13-2015, 12:47 PM

Great car and a good buy. I sold my model A in 1958 and bought a 53 Ford convertible because I needed a better car for dates. Nosed and decked it. 54 Chev grill and a $29.95 Earl Sheib paint job. Skirts, not for me, no tissue dispenser either. BTW, my girl broke up with me later and started going with the guy I sold my model A to.

Vic Piano · 07-13-2015, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakhurst

Great car and a good buy. I sold my model A in 1958 and bought a 53 Ford convertible because I needed a better car for dates. Nosed and decked it. 54 Chev grill and a $29.95 Earl Sheib paint job. Skirts, not for me, no tissue dispenser either. BTW, my girl broke up with me later and started going with the guy I sold my model A to.

Wow, talk about a double whammy... LOL

07-13-2015, 09:47 AM	#1
Chris Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2,976	Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! The annual Spokane Swap Meet was this weekend that my V8 chapter puts on and I spotted this 53 Ford convertible in the cars for sale area. I saw the asking price and knew I needed it. These cars are not worth a ton but even so it was less then a lot of guys pay for just a model A body. It has sat for 10-15 years. I got it home and with a battery, some gas and filing the points she fired up and runs like a watch. I think it was restored in the 60's-70's. It is a very dry car but does have some funky patch work from rear quarter rust and repaired radius rear wheel wells. But otherwise a very nice body. I plan on fixing the "old home repairs" down the road but for now will not hurt anything. The tube grill, filled hood, floor shift dual exhaust and old radius wheel wells show evidence to being an old mild hot rod or custom. I have been looking for a sort of "turn key" family car that was neat but does not need a full resto and was affordable. This fit the bill perfect. The engine is a stock 8BA with a stock 3 speed with a Hurst floor shift. The Hurst manual was in the trunk and dated 1964. The car came with a parts car with an OD trans so I may put that in along with back to column shift down the road... For now, I need to get the engine tuned up, do the brakes, gas tank, some other monkeying around and get a top on it. The top is pretty bad. Probably tires too. These look good but are ancient. I want to lower the rear a little, and back at the swap got a pair of old fakey Caddy caps and NOS Foxcraft skirts (although the skirts don't fit but you get the idea) So here it is, the new family truckster. I am new to 52-54 Fords, so this will be fun! My friend Bruce called it an "instant fun" car. And now my Dad is looking for a 53 convertible for himself (he had a few Vicky's a few years back) Also If anyone has any fender skirts for sale please let me know __________________ Thee Inland Emperors

07-13-2015, 10:04 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,957	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Congrats! Nice looking car with a custom touch.

07-13-2015, 10:09 AM	#3
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,759	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Pretty sweet, Chris.

07-13-2015, 10:10 AM	#4
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! LOL on the funnel! Very nice car by the looks of it! __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

07-13-2015, 10:19 AM	#5
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Outstand Chris! I've had my '53 Crestline Sunliner for 42 years, my first Convertible, and I love it. After seeing your photos, I've got to get to work building the Flathead I've got for it, and get it back on the road. Have fun with the car. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

07-13-2015, 10:19 AM	#6
donald1950 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san antonio, texas Posts: 461	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) very nice ! ! ! i like the blue fuel line supercharger. is that an origonal "go fast" item?

07-13-2015, 11:21 AM	#9
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,189	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Love it, man. Best of luck with it. What is the ballpark price for one of these? It looks like a great entryway into a post-war convert.

07-13-2015, 11:26 AM	#10
Displayman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hampshire, Illinois Posts: 392	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Nice car! You will have a lot of fun with that ragtop. Bob-Hampshire, Ill.

07-13-2015, 11:32 AM	#12
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,818	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Very cool! Nice score. I always liked the 53's. A convert is the best!

07-13-2015, 11:59 AM	#14
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! You won't get very far with a gas tank that size Nice car!

07-13-2015, 12:37 PM	#16
funrunr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Belleville,MI Posts: 1,430	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! What a great looking car, enjoy it all you can! __________________ Thank God this is only a hobby!

07-13-2015, 12:38 PM	#17
PRRJim Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Churchville, MD Posts: 3	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! I like the box in the trunk. It has to be nearly as old as the cat itself. Don't throw it away!

07-13-2015, 12:43 PM	#18
trulyvintage Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Direct Enclosed Transport Since 2006 Posts: 4,167	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Chris, What a beauty ... Jim __________________ Click Here To See Where I Am Today What My Actual Customers Say Click Here Click Here To See Vehicles I Have Hauled

07-13-2015, 12:47 PM	#19
Oakhurst Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oakhurst, CA Posts: 140	Re: Picked up a nice little 1953 Ford Sunliner over the weekend! Great car and a good buy. I sold my model A in 1958 and bought a 53 Ford convertible because I needed a better car for dates. Nosed and decked it. 54 Chev grill and a $29.95 Earl Sheib paint job. Skirts, not for me, no tissue dispenser either. BTW, my girl broke up with me later and started going with the guy I sold my model A to.