1952 Ford

Ford
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Also called Ford Mainline
Ford Customline
Ford Crestline
Ford Courier [1]
Production 1952–1954
Assembly Chicago, Illinois
Predecessor 1949 Ford
Successor 1955 Ford
Class Full-size Ford
Body style 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
2-door station wagon
4-door station wagon
2 door coupe
2 door hardtop
2-door convertible
2-door sedan delivery [1]
2-door coupe utility (Australia)
Layout FR layout
Engine 215 CID (3.5 L) OHV I6
239 CID (3.9 L) Flathead V8
Wheelbase 115 in (2921 mm)
Length 115"
Width 73.9"
Height 62.1"

The Ford line of cars was again refreshed for 1952, although remaining similar to the all-new 1949 Fords. This time, curved one-piece windshield glass joined a new "Mileage Maker" straight-6 engine with 101hp[2]. The 226 CID (3.7 L) L-head straight-6 was replaced by an overhead valve 215 CID (3.5 L) Mileage Maker with 101 hp (75 kW), while the old 239 CID (3.9 L) Flathead V8 remained with 110 hp (82 kW).

Contents

1952

See also Ford Country Squire

The model lines were again reshuffled, with the base model now called "Mainline" and mid-level called "Customline". The top "Crestline" included the "Sunliner" convertible, "Victoria" hardtop, and "Country Squire" station wagon. Inside was a "flight-style" control panel and new pedals suspended from below the dashboard. A voltmeter, gas gauge, temp. gauge, and oil pressure where standard[3]. The clock and radio where in the center of the dash. The grille sported a single center "bullet" surrounded by a chrome ring as well as "jet intake" corner markers.

In these years, an overdrive transmission option was available.


1953

The big news for 1953 was the availability of power-assisted brakes and steering, which had previously been limited to the Mercury and Lincoln lines. The center grill bullet lost its ring and was now flanked by vertical black stripes, while the corner markers were plain rectangular lights rather than the circular "intakes". All 1953 Fords featured commemorative steering wheels marking the company's 50th anniversary. William Clay Ford paced the Indianapolis 500 in a Sunliner convertible with a dummy Continental tire kit (Coronado kit)[4]. This was also the last year for real wood trim on the Country Squire wagon. Toward the end of the year, Ford added "Master-Guide" power steering as an option on cars with V8s.

1954

See also Ford Crestline Skyliner

The long-lived Flathead V8 engine was replaced for 1954 by an overhead valve Y-block unit, marking the end of an era. This engine produced 130 hp (97 kW) with a 2-barrel carburetor and an impressive 160 hp (119 kW) with a Holley four-barrel in the official-use-only law enforcement model. Another new addition was the "Crestline Skyliner" 2 door hardtop, which featured an acrylic glass panel over the front half of the roof. Also added was the new "Astra-Dial Control panel" speedometer, which has a clear, plastic covering on the top, which let sunlight illuminate it in the day-time[5]. Also added was a four-way power front seat. A snap-in sunshade was a desirable option. The "woody" Country Squire wagon now used artificial fiberglass panels but remained the most-expensive Ford.

Australian production

The 1952 Ford was also produced by Ford Australia from 1952 to 1955. A four door sedan was offered as the V8 Customline and a two door coupe utility was marketed as the V8 Mainline Utility. The Utility was developed by Ford Australia using the chassis of the US Ford two door convertible. Both models were updated in 1953 and 1954 along the lines of the US Fords and were powered by the Flathead V8 which went into Australian production in 1952.[6]

Sources

  1. ^ a b 1952 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery sales brochure cover Retrieved on 31 December 2009
  2. ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  3. ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  4. ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  5. ^ http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1954_Ford/1954_Ford_Brochure/1954%20Ford-24-25.html
  6. ^ Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, 1986, pages 126-131

Further reading

External links

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