1955 Ford Club Sedan Refresh Blog

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Been at work on installing the insulation on the floor. The material was pretty easy to install. Basically I trimmed a sheet at a time to fit, then took the sheet back out so I could brush contact cement before setting each piece in place. Then I followed up with foil duct tape to seal and marked each mounting hole for the seat belts and each hole for the front seat. I do like the looks of it.

[Daves55Sedan]

I see that you have removed the metal base from the floor that the factory had placed in the two-door cars for the rear seat bench and noticed that you have added the two keepers on the floor that the factory had placed in the four-door cars for the rear seat bench which was different from the bench of the two-door cars.
Doesn't that mean that you will need to modify the two side upholstery panels, eliminating the portion that sticks out that holds the ash-trays??? Why do all that?

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

I see that you have removed the metal base from the floor that the factory had placed in the two-door cars for the rear seat bench and noticed that you have added the two keepers on the floor that the factory had placed in the four-door cars for the rear seat bench which was different from the bench of the two-door cars.
Doesn't that mean that you will need to modify the two side upholstery panels, eliminating the portion that sticks out that holds the ash-trays??? Why do all that?

For the record I have not removed anything from the floor although I did replace the floorpan at the front driver's side. The car was this way when I purchased it in the early 90's. There does not seem to be any indication of any material removed from either the floor or the walls on either side where the rear seat goes. The cardboard covers I removed from the walls (that cover that big opening for sheet metal and I guess is really is an access panel for hardware) seemed to be factory as well.

I am working on a Club Sedan, not a Victoria or Crown Victoria - those cars would have the metal base you speak of that would have run under the front of the rear seat horizontally from side to side. The Sunliner had one as well but it would have had the holes on either side for the top cylinders. I would imagine that the metal base would have been for added strengthening of hardtop cars and not so much the appearance. All sedans, whether or two door of four door, that I have disassembled in the past always had a rear seat configured this way.

I am not sure what you mean by the ash trays. All sedans have a flat interior panel and then if a 2 door did have an ash tray installed for rear passengers there was one on either side built into the armrest (since this is essentially not a door). 4 doors had only one ashtray built into the back of the front seat.

Again, I believe it was the hardtops and Sunliners that had an actual "bump out" from the wall on either side that incorporated an ash tray into the molded panel itself.

Trust me, I want no more work on this thing than what Ford gave me...

[56sedandelivery]

Wow. This is just what I need for my SD build. I am probably at where you started and going to be getting the body work done. Question. What welder did you use for your welding? MIG, TIG GAS?

[frank long island]

mig will be fine although tig leaves nicer welds gas is messy and distorts the metal just make sure you use a weld thru primer grind the welds prime and seam seal

[Hot Rod Reverend]

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Originally Posted by 56sedandelivery

Wow. This is just what I need for my SD build. I am probably at where you started and going to be getting the body work done. Question. What welder did you use for your welding? MIG, TIG GAS?

I used mig 100% of the time, it’s all I’ve ever used-never learned anything else

You do have to be careful about heat tho and I echo what Frank said.

[frank long island]

just remember do spots and stager the heat for minimal warpage

[56sedandelivery]

Good info. Thanks.

[jon_doe]

Mig to plug and weld floors but gas to hammer weld panels

[Hot Rod Reverend]

I have been messing with the Headlights, Parking Lights, Brake Lights, Turn Signals, etc lately. With a new harness I am very happy with a fuse panel, new wires, and excellent lengths for running wires where they need to go. I made my own lens gaskets and would you believe that the bezel for the heater control unit was the exact ID for the lens? who would have thought?

The mechanism for the turn signal switch had a broken ear so that had to be welded up as well.

I do have lots of information on two separate blog entries on the website, hotrodreverend.com. More to enjoy there.

Here is a video about the turn signal switch...
https://vimeo.com/263944152

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Since my last post, I have accomplished quite a bit and I have attached some photos that may whet the appetite. Over on my personal website, www.hotrodreverend.com, are quite a few photos, videos, and recent articles. You can subscribe to receive updates by visiting this page

https://www.hotrodreverend.com/blog-subscribe

Simply enter your e-mail address and every time I make a new post and put up videos and pictures about the work on the car you will receive an email message about it.

Check out the pictures: rear interior panels, carpet, rear seat, front seat, 3 point seat belts, etc are all installed!

[Daves55Sedan]

I've always done all my own interior upholstery work (seats, door-panels, headliners). Last year I took an old '55 Ford 2-door car seat exactly like yours including the broken springs, sandblasted, welded, primered and applied enamel overcoat. Then I cut and installed vinyl backing for the foam and cut foam cushion material and installed it on the springs. Then I took the seat down to a local car upholstery shop and found that they wanted $400.00 just to make and install seat covers (from the cheapest material they had). Outrageous!

[Hot Rod Reverend]

That is outrageous! I guess there are fewer and fewer people in that industry anymore. Maybe that is why the prices are so high?

[Hot Rod Reverend]

We are moving along! I painted the wheels with the same paint on the body, had new tires mounted, and my son helped me install the rear bumper. On with the "show"

I also installed the thin stainless strips for the hood and fender lips.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

We are getting closer!!!
https://vimeo.com/271570123

I have a tentative plan to take the car out on its maiden voyage later on this morning. We have temporary tags and insurance coverage as of last evening so everything is legal. The big questions: Will it go? Will it stop?

We will video record as much as possible... could end up being like of of those crazy reality TV shows where guys are scrambling around trying to get a car out the door. I promised my daughter, who is graduating from HS tonight, that I would do my best to take her to graduation in the 55!

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Well, it's not a 100 percent done (speedo not hooked up, kickpanels not installed, no side view mirrors installed yet, etc) but I "slapped" things together because I promised my daughter I would take her to graduation in the Fairlane. Because of the timeline, all of the little tweaks such as carb tuning, distributor tuning, etc. were minimal at best. At least it was ready to STOP when needed (brakes bleed, adjusted, checked a few times). It went out on several trips yesterday for a total of about 15 miles. Of course, as you guys know, the whole community was giving thumbs up, staring, waving, etc. Great times, and satisfying to get it back on the road. I was especially pleased with the transmission and suspension. Lowering the car with those Aerostar springs was a great idea - I only hit a bump stop once when I pulled into the driveway pretty quickly. On the road, pot holes included, all was fine. After Memorial Day I will post more but for now I thought some of you might like to see this....

https://vimeo.com/271854558

[scicala]

Very nice ! Looks and sounds great. Must be a great feeling getting back on the road.


Sal

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Thanks Sal, things are hectic. So many family are in town, the same daughter has her 18th birthday tomorrow, it is Memorial Day weekend, and the schedule is crazy enough that there is not enough time to tune like I really need to.

I was able to take mom out for a ride today though - she loved it!

[scicala]

Seems like things happen all at one time sometimes. Enjoy when you can.


Sal

[Daves55Sedan]

I have done two body-off-frame "refreshes" of '55 Fords. Seeing your video reminds me of the immense gratitude and thanks I had to the Lord for the talent, patience and persistence he gave me to make it possible when I first got mine back on the road again (also took me 4 years each). So I know how you must be feeling now HRR. I am very happy for you.