#1
Look carefully... This car is WET!  There's no water anywhere around, but you can see the trunk is drying.
It's hard to see in this pic, but the quarter panel spear looks like someone hit it with a shopping cart about ten times.  The driver's window is cracked, but you can't see it from this angle.  No matter, I'm replacing all the glass.

#2
It's still hard to see the cracked glass.

#3
The story is, this car is UNrestored.  I later found overspray on the door glass.

#4

#5

#6

#7
That red area on top of the trunk is primer.  Some kid tried to buff the car out for a show.  He managed to lift the paint.  The owner told him to stop before he caused any more damage.

#8

#9
Hmmm... Starting fluid, jumper cables, a tire pump...  Looks like he just moved all his crap over for the picture.

#10
It's a 272 Y-Block.  None of the wiring was correct.  You can see the 'repairs' made by the owner.  Notice the pair of red wires going across the firewall...

#11
One red wire starts at the battery and the other is connected to the Starting Solenoid.  They end at a pushbutton 'start switch' draped over the steering column. There's no neutral switch and no fuse.  NONE of the inside wiring worked when I bought it, except the key would shut it off.  The previous owner said, they didn't have any mechanics in southern Missouri that knew how to work on these old cars.

#12
Odd that no pictures were taken underneath, then I found the #1 crossmember was rotted-out.  The seller denied all knowledge of a restoration, but I found plenty of evidence of extensive body work and paint overspray.  Since I'm doing my own restoration, it doesn't matter.  When I am done, it will appear like a '55 Customline, but will be totally different.

#13
These were used on Mainline and Customline models and it is original.  Because everyone restored Fairlanes (and they crushed 'family' cars) this piece was never re-popped.  My chromer is the best!  Check out some video examples of his work:

#14

#15
Dynamic Custom Chrome in Detroit does all my plating.  They specialize in 'pot metal' and their work can be seen at all the car shows, including Autorama.

#16
I got the car home and off the trailer, started it, and was ready for my maiden cruise around the block.  Robin and Roger were in the car as well.  We get up to 10-mph and the car starts wandering all over my side street.  Then I turned the wheel right, but the car was still going straight!  My passengers were freaking out.  This whole time we're all smelling really old stale gas.  I'm amazed it burned at all.  Finally, I got around the block and parked in front of the house.  I looked under the front and couldn't believe my eyes.  I've never seen this before, but now I understand it is very common for '55 - '56 Fords.

Here's the #1 crossmember, just after I cut it out with a torch:
#17
The Lower "A" Arms bolt to those holes, using 7/8" monster bolts.

#18
The damn car wouldn't turn corners and it was all over the road.  This explains it.

#19

#20

#21
I fabricated my own crossmember using the original as a pattern. The top piece is a stamped bed frame. The bottom piece is a 3" angle iron.  The bolt holes have a 1" pipe nipple welded inside.

#22
I made it in my back yard.  It's unbelievably strong.  Now, it's in the car.

1955 Customline:

NEW PARTS
        #1 Crossmember
        Fuel Tank
        1-½” Front Sway Bar
        7/8” Rear Sway Bar
        Front & Rear Springs
        A/C System
        8” MBM Two Stage Power Brake Booster with Dual M/C
        Disk Brakes
        Rack & Pinion Steering
        AOD Transmission
        HID Headlights
        Backup Light Housings
        Parking Light Stop Light, and Backup Light Lenses
        Wiring for EFI including EEC and harness
        Carpeting
        Headliner
        Seat Covering
        Door Panels
        Kick Panels
        Door Channels, Fuzzies, Anti-rattlers
        Windlace
        Windshield and four sidelites with 'wings'
        Script, Emblems, Bezels & Inserts

RECONDITIONED:
        351W (roller cam) HO EFI Engine overhaul
        Dash Board
        Sun Visors
       
CHROMED or RECHROMED:
        Valve Covers
        Oil Pan
        Dash Board Bezels
        Dome Light
        Front & Rear Bumpers
        Grille & Parking Light Housings
        Tail Light housings

#23

#24

#25

#26
Click on this picture for a printable copy.