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1954 FORD CUSTOMLINE and MAINLINE |
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For 1953 Ford's 50th Anniversary model received only slight trim alterations including a new grille and side trim. In 1954 Ford cars received another all new grille and new side chrome. The front fenders were also new and received a slight crease from the headlight rim fading into the contour of the fender. But the big change was in the USA built Fords which received an all new overhead valve V8 engine and ball joint front suspension. But Fords in Canada, Australia and New Zealand all came with the tried and proven flathead V8. Production figures were 1952 671,733* 1953 1,247,542 1954 1,165,942 Sales were down owing to the affect of the Korean war conflict which resulted in material shortages. Ford were to have three years use out of the original 1952 body, an all new body would be introduced for 1955. It's interesting to note that while Chevrolet used their 1949 body for four years, they only had two years out of their 1953 body, as Chevrolet also introduced an all new model for 1955. |
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ABOVE The Mainline utility rear window is the same design as from the 1940's, an oval unit with a slight curve in tempered glass. The window first appeared in 1941 in North American coupes and sedans, continuing on until 1948. It was used in utes in Australia from 1946 to 1954, but looked dated in the latter years. The tarp kept the load space weatherproof but soon shrunk on original models making it difficult to clip in place. The oval tail lamps, unique to 1952- 54 Mainlines, had no built in reflectors, hence they were accessory additions when they became mandatory across Australia ion 1954. |



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LEFT The factory RHD dashboard was similar to the 1952- 53 models, metal with wood-grain applied. This was unique to Australia. 1954 was the last year woodgrain paintwork was used on the dashboard and window trim. In the USA they received a new dashboard in 1954 that more closely resembled the 1955 models. American Ford dashboards from 1949 were usually painted metallic colours. |
