The Ford Barn

JimNNN · 07-11-2021, 05:38 PM

I understand that the Thunderbirds and trucks may have had their own different schedule. I'm really mainly interested in finding out what month in '54 the standard passenger cars were introduced for the '55 model year. I'm trying to find out how late in production my '54 Ranch Wagon was. (According to the production code, it was made on June 3rd, as far I can tell.)

Thanks, and feel free to contribute helpful info about the T-Birds and pickups, too, as it may help someone else out.

Dobie Gillis · 07-11-2021, 08:25 PM

Most new model intros were in September back then for all manufacturers. That's not to say there weren't exceptions such as special models (T-bird) and half year models ('63 1/2 Galaxie 500). June would be fairly late production as the plants would have been beginning to tool up for the next model year.

JimNNN · 07-11-2021, 09:05 PM

Thanks Dobie. I thought it was probably around about that time, but thought I might be misremembering. It's literally been at least 40 years since I've paid attention to the release of the new model year cars within the American car industry. I know that my '61 Merc was made in Nov. of '60, so I figured the new model year probably started before Nov. back in '54 and '55.

mercman from oz · 07-11-2021, 09:55 PM

1954 Ford Mainline Ranch Wagon

mercman from oz · 07-11-2021, 09:56 PM

1954 Ford Customline Ranch Wagon

dmsfrr · 07-12-2021, 12:28 AM

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'55 Thunderbird....
A pre-production/example '55 Thunderbird was introduced to the public at the Detroit Auto Show in February of '54.

Regular production of the '55 Birds began in Dearborn on September 9th of '54. A few examples made before this date were used for testing or advertising purposes.

In an apparent effort to get their featured new model to more dealers sooner, the Dearborn assembly line was dedicated to Thunderbirds for the first 1000 cars.
http://www.tbird.info/first-1955-thunderbirds.htm

'55 T-Birds on showroom floors available for purchase is listed as October 22 of '54, at this link.
A couple weeks later than I would have expected.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_T...rst_generation)

For production of other models and at other assembly plants I have no idea, never looked in to it.

mercman from oz · 07-12-2021, 01:42 AM

Great old B&W Photo showing the all new 1955 Ford Thunderbird on display with the 1954 Ford Sunliner and 1954 Ford Customline Sedan.

58Yeoman · 07-12-2021, 08:29 AM

I really miss the new car showings like they used to be at the small Ford dealer where I worked part time in the late 60's. Showroom had room for one car. When the new cars came in, the owner would hide them in different places around town (pop. 1000). We would clean the shop and have the new car showing with all the new cars brought in and cleaned up ready for sale. It was an actual party, not like today.

JimNNN · 07-12-2021, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

'55 Thunderbird....
A pre-production/example '55 Thunderbird was introduced to the public at the Detroit Auto Show in February of '54.

Regular production of the 55's began in Dearborn on September 9th of '54. A few examples made before this date were used for testing or advertising purposes.

In an apparent effort to get their featured new model to more dealers sooner, the Dearborn assembly line was dedicated to Thunderbirds for the first 1000 cars.
http://www.tbird.info/first-1955-thunderbirds.htm

'55 T-Birds on showroom floors available for purchase is listed as October 22 of '54, at this link.
A couple weeks later than I would have expected.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_T...rst_generation)

For production of other models and at other assembly plants I have no idea, never looked in to it.

Thanks for the info, dmsfrr. The wiki link says they planned to build 10,000 T-Birds for the '55 model year, but ended up building over 16,000. It also said that they took orders for 3500 in the first week and a half of sales in October. That makes me think they weren't "pre-selling" the very desirable T-Birds in 1955 like Chevy did the exciting new mid-engine Corvette in 2021. If that was the case, it's curious.

JimNNN · 07-12-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

1954 Ford Mainline Ranch Wagon

Thanks for the Brochure pics, Mercman. The Mainline Ranch Wagon is what I have. I wasn't aware that the Mainline was available with a two-tone paint scheme (such as it was.) Or maybe they just drew that up for the brochure?

Does anyone know: were Couriers available in '54 with this kind of two-tone? That might've been interesting.

KULTULZ · 07-12-2021, 02:03 PM

I have some old reference materials packed up in the basement that might contain that info. Give me a few days.

I too miss new car intro. It was always a big deal to see what was new. They usually kept them under car covers until intro date. Now I can't tell one brand from another.

Daves55Sedan · 07-12-2021, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNNN

I wasn't aware that the Mainline was available with a two-tone paint scheme (such as it was.) Or maybe they just drew that up for the brochure?

That type of paint scheme (offset color wrapped around the windows) was very common for the '52/53/54 Mainline wagons. "54 was the last year the factory used this paint scheme.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNNN

Does anyone know: were Couriers available in '54 with this kind of two-tone? That might've been interesting.

Not sure but I doubt it. All the 54 & earlier Couriers I've seen were one color. There may have been a few '55 and later Couriers with a white top, and those may have been dealer modifications at customer request. The Courier model wasn't produced to appeal to the general public. They mostly went to Mom-and-Pop grocery delivery, Newspaper and parcel delivery, Post office, Coroners office, Police, ambulance services and some to the military. They didn't need to be flashy.

JimNNN · 07-12-2021, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the info, Dave. Good to know when looking at original cars.

At your convenience, KULTULZ. And thanks.

KULTULZ · 07-13-2021, 02:26 AM

Rattle my cage Jim if you don't hear anything within a few days.

KULTULZ · 08-12-2021, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Rattle my cage Jim if you don't hear anything within a few days.

... sheesh ...

Still trying to find the info ...

rotorwrench · 08-12-2021, 12:05 PM

Somewhere in the late 40s or early 50s, the model year introduction changed from November back to September of the year before any given model year. I figure that this had to be accepted legally in order to avoid some form of legal action. The term "model year" is just that. It is defined by law. Now days it has a lot to do with VIN characters that are required by all cars sold in the US and Canada. The modern VIN system had its earliest beginings in 1954 for Ford Motor Co. Before that, it was basically just a serial number.
https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/model-year

Wikipedia even has a model year page that helps to define it.

Ford generally always started to designed a basic model several years before it ever went into production and they likely still do. Ford Motor Co learned from the Edsel that it sometimes becomes necessary to change things well before the model year begins. If a company plans too far ahead, it can come back to bite them in the tail pipe.

JeffB2 · 08-12-2021, 06:00 PM

When I changed my '54 over to 12 volts and took apart the heater blower assembly I found a stamping of "OCT 54" inside it, my Customline 2 door was made in the Chicago plant. Is it possible that some '55 models were made in other plants and that some plants did not have the newer parts to build the '55 cars ? It is known that old Henry being frugal liked to use up the older parts first so as not to waste them.

KULTULZ · 08-13-2021, 07:09 AM

I have a FORD HISTORICAL TEXT somewhere ...

If this info was released it will most likely be in there.

It's just like PREGO, it's in there somewhere ...

KULTULZ · 08-13-2021, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB2

When I changed my '54 over to 12 volts and took apart the heater blower assembly I found a stamping of "OCT 54" inside it, my Customline 2 door was made in the Chicago plant.

The 1954 and 1955 used the same blower motor(s).

Do you know the PRODUCTION DATE of the car?

KULTULZ · 08-13-2021, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNNN

Does anyone know: were Couriers available in '54 with this kind of two-tone? That might've been interesting.

Can you post the BUILD INFO from your PATENT PLATE?

07-11-2021, 05:38 PM	#1
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? I understand that the Thunderbirds and trucks may have had their own different schedule. I'm really mainly interested in finding out what month in '54 the standard passenger cars were introduced for the '55 model year. I'm trying to find out how late in production my '54 Ranch Wagon was. (According to the production code, it was made on June 3rd, as far I can tell.) Thanks, and feel free to contribute helpful info about the T-Birds and pickups, too, as it may help someone else out.

07-11-2021, 08:25 PM	#2
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Most new model intros were in September back then for all manufacturers. That's not to say there weren't exceptions such as special models (T-bird) and half year models ('63 1/2 Galaxie 500). June would be fairly late production as the plants would have been beginning to tool up for the next model year. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

07-11-2021, 09:05 PM	#3
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Thanks Dobie. I thought it was probably around about that time, but thought I might be misremembering. It's literally been at least 40 years since I've paid attention to the release of the new model year cars within the American car industry. I know that my '61 Merc was made in Nov. of '60, so I figured the new model year probably started before Nov. back in '54 and '55.

07-11-2021, 09:55 PM	#4
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? 1954 Ford Mainline Ranch Wagon

07-11-2021, 09:56 PM	#5
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? 1954 Ford Customline Ranch Wagon

07-12-2021, 01:42 AM	#7
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Great old B&W Photo showing the all new 1955 Ford Thunderbird on display with the 1954 Ford Sunliner and 1954 Ford Customline Sedan.

07-12-2021, 08:29 AM	#8
58Yeoman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 187	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? I really miss the new car showings like they used to be at the small Ford dealer where I worked part time in the late 60's. Showroom had room for one car. When the new cars came in, the owner would hide them in different places around town (pop. 1000). We would clean the shop and have the new car showing with all the new cars brought in and cleaned up ready for sale. It was an actual party, not like today.

07-12-2021, 02:03 PM	#11
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,471	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? I have some old reference materials packed up in the basement that might contain that info. Give me a few days. I too miss new car intro. It was always a big deal to see what was new. They usually kept them under car covers until intro date. Now I can't tell one brand from another. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

07-12-2021, 08:01 PM	#13
JimNNN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 522	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Thanks for the info, Dave. Good to know when looking at original cars. At your convenience, KULTULZ. And thanks.

07-13-2021, 02:26 AM	#14
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,471	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Rattle my cage Jim if you don't hear anything within a few days. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

08-12-2021, 12:05 PM	#16
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? Somewhere in the late 40s or early 50s, the model year introduction changed from November back to September of the year before any given model year. I figure that this had to be accepted legally in order to avoid some form of legal action. The term "model year" is just that. It is defined by law. Now days it has a lot to do with VIN characters that are required by all cars sold in the US and Canada. The modern VIN system had its earliest beginings in 1954 for Ford Motor Co. Before that, it was basically just a serial number. https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/model-year Wikipedia even has a model year page that helps to define it. Ford generally always started to designed a basic model several years before it ever went into production and they likely still do. Ford Motor Co learned from the Edsel that it sometimes becomes necessary to change things well before the model year begins. If a company plans too far ahead, it can come back to bite them in the tail pipe. Last edited by rotorwrench; 08-12-2021 at 12:12 PM.

08-12-2021, 06:00 PM	#17
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? When I changed my '54 over to 12 volts and took apart the heater blower assembly I found a stamping of "OCT 54" inside it, my Customline 2 door was made in the Chicago plant. Is it possible that some '55 models were made in other plants and that some plants did not have the newer parts to build the '55 cars ? It is known that old Henry being frugal liked to use up the older parts first so as not to waste them.

08-13-2021, 07:09 AM	#18
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,471	Re: What month in 1954 were the '55 models introduced? I have a FORD HISTORICAL TEXT somewhere ... If this info was released it will most likely be in there. It's just like PREGO, it's in there somewhere ... __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)