1954 Customline: Have you seen this trim before?

[JimNNN]

I haven't seen this trim before. I'm speaking of the vertical ribbed chrome beneath the taillights. This car was sold at Barrett Jackson about 10 years ago. Other than that, it looks like a typical stock Customline (Though the wheel covers may be dog dishes with trim rings.) I thought maybe it was Canadian, but the Barrett Jackson ad makes no mention of it that I can see. Anyone else seen this? Is it aftermarket, maybe??



https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...OR-SEDAN-98123


1,000 × 667

[darrell]

i would say aftermarket.its not canadian unless its a flathead.but they never had that.

[58Yeoman]

I agree with darrell, it's probably aftermarket. Warshawsky and JCWhitney had so much stuff to add on to your car.

[JimNNN]

I suppose it could be from an outfit like Whitney. You could use the same trim on 52-54 models, and all of those years sold well, so there would be a big enough market back in the day. Boy, it sure doesn't enhance the looks, though. I always really liked the tail light nacelles and rear fenders of these cars in stock form, and that trim doesn't fit with the clean lines of the factory styling. Just my opinion.

[evintho]

My '54 Customline came with those although they were so rusty, I took them off. You can see the mounting holes in the pic.....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1645727185

[JimNNN]

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Originally Posted by evintho

My '54 Customline came with those although they were so rusty, I took them off. You can see the mounting holes in the pic.....

The plot thickens. Interesting that they were also on a Customline, though I guess that could be coincidence and doesn't rule out an aftermarket source. Thanks for the info, evintho.

[jayvee34]

My 54 2 door post car did not have then, although I was told that my car was
a Customline, but has the Crestline script on the quarter panel as seen in the
photo. I was told that only the Victoria was a Crestline. I would like to know
if that is a fact. Thanks, John

[scicala]

It's aftermarket. Ford dealers had accessory trim available for that basic area, but nothng like that.

Sal

[pj's junkers]

per the Standard Catalog of Ford the Vic was a crestline model

[paul2748]

No - Crestline's were the top of the line series and consisted of the Victoria, Sunliner, Skyliner, 4 door and Country Squire

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Originally Posted by jayvee34

My 54 2 door post car did not have then, although I was told that my car was
a Customline, but has the Crestline script on the quarter panel as seen in the
photo. I was told that only the Victoria was a Crestline. I would like to know
if that is a fact. Thanks, John

[evintho]

Just thought I'd throw out a pic of mine. I'm thinking '60s JC Whitney............

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1645754348

[JimNNN]

Originally Posted by evintho

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1645754348

Thanks for the pic. Yes it looks like the plating on those trim pieces deteriorated faster than the rest of the chrome. That would lead one to think it had a different source than the rest of the factory exterior trim. I'm glad you've hung on to them, though...Artifacts from a bygone era.

[40 Deluxe]

[QUOTE=JimNNN;2107549]I haven't seen this trim before. I'm speaking of the vertical ribbed chrome beneath the taillights. This car was sold at Barrett Jackson about 10 years ago. Other than that, it looks like a typical stock Customline (Though the wheel covers may be dog dishes with trim rings.) I thought maybe it was Canadian, but the Barrett Jackson ad makes no mention of it that I can see. Anyone else seen this? Is it aftermarket, maybe??

Those pieces could also be dealer installed options. Back in that era dealers sold a lot of different chrome dress-up items, either before the sale to make the car stand out or to the customer after the sale. My uncles bought a new Customline in 1953 and it came with small chrome pads under the door handles (to prevent paint scratches). It also had outside mirrors mounted on the tops of both front doors which made it look like an undercover cop car-a lot of cars slowed when they saw it!

[larryfuller]

It looks like the trim pieces from a 54 Mercury to me. I had a 54 merc and if my memory is correct it had trim like that.

Larry

[Lanny]

It must have been some other car you had Larry, as most every
year and model Mercury of the early to mid '50s Mercs had tail
lights that were placed on that rear vertical area of the I/4 panel.




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