The Ford Barn

1954skyliner · 11-16-2013, 10:06 AM

Hello Everyone my name is Chris and this is my very first post to the Forum. I have found a 1954 Skyliner in my area for sale that needs restored. The car is partially disassembled and will need a lot of work. The frame appears to be rusty but solid, the floors look decent maybe a couple small patches. The spare tire well has a hole, the rockers are shot and the fenders and quarters are littered with holes, the Chrome needs replated or replaced and the interior is there but completely shot. My biggest question is what is this thing worth in its current condition? I'm not sure if it has the original motor, as it has thunderbird special valve covers on it. The car is green, with a white and green interior. V8- three speed, not sure of any options. I due have a photo of the pillar plate for reference. They also have two tops for the car, the original which is still in place and an extra. I know this will take me a very long time and a lot of money to complete myself, I like the car because it is different. Any input would be greatly appreciated, also any chrome trim on the dash anyone make that, or do I have to have all of my pieces replated?

JeffB2 · 11-16-2013, 03:45 PM

Post some pictures here and that would help,what is the seller asking for it? Is there a link to a craigslist ad for pictures and price?

1954skyliner · 11-16-2013, 10:08 PM

These are two photos I have, thinking she'll take 1500.00

streetdreams · 11-18-2013, 04:07 PM

Buy it.

JeffB2 · 11-18-2013, 04:17 PM

If you can make the deal for $1500 it's OK,sign up here too:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332 We have put together a HUGE "what fits" section to help track down parts for 1952-59 Fords.

Lancer · 11-18-2013, 07:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Oh ya, but it fast.

scicala · 11-19-2013, 11:39 AM

Not that I would ever do it, but you could get your money back just by cutting off the roof and selling it.

teejay99 · 11-19-2013, 08:10 PM

Like you said , it will take a lot of time and money to complete . Back when I was young and foolish and getting into cars an old buddy said " estimate the time and money it will take ...and then triple that number , you MIGHT be close " . He knew what he was talking about . Emphasize that to the current owner and offer less than $1500 .....I don't think anyone else is beating down the doors to buy it . Take it from there . I'm thinkin' $900 for starters .....

T

1954skyliner · 11-20-2013, 08:57 AM

Thank you everyone, I'm off Thursday and Friday and would like to look at the car one more time. I want to see if the engine is frozen and if the front part of the frame is solid. I have been told that the car comes with an extra roof, but didn't notice it on the first visit. I haven't seen any articles about polishing the tops, or people looking to purchase them.

itsa52 · 11-20-2013, 12:16 PM

One thing about them is they are more fun to show than to drive.. Get's pretty warm in a green house.. Later versions actually came with a shade.

JeffB2 · 11-20-2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1954skyliner

Thank you everyone, I'm off Thursday and Friday and would like to look at the car one more time. I want to see if the engine is frozen and if the front part of the frame is solid. I have been told that the car comes with an extra roof, but didn't notice it on the first visit. I haven't seen any articles about polishing the tops, or people looking to purchase them.

You can get more info on the tops here: www.1954ford.com They are being reproduced @ $950 new,take a look at the roof and look for snaps around the sky light they were a dealer option like what I had on a '54 back in the early 70's.An upholstery shop could make you a cover or put A/C in the car.

streetdreams · 11-21-2013, 04:30 PM

Unless you're a purist, a frozen 239 is no loss.

1954skyliner · 11-22-2013, 02:16 PM

Well made it back over to look at the car one last time, and well I can't say that my opinion of the car is any better, but I still think I'll buy her. The engine appears to be a 54 239, or at least have 239 exhaust manifolds on it. 2v no power steering or power brakes, and I also noticed the frame mount under the firewall on the driver side is shot and the top on the car has small cracks in the plastic. You can't feel the cracks and if I hadn't shined the flashlight from the inside facing the roof I never would have seen them, probably stress cracks from age. This car is very close to being a parts car, I literally have to do some kind of sheet metal patch work on every panel. Hood, Fenders, Doors, rockers, quarter panels, floor boards, firewall, trunk floor, and someone cut a hole the size of your fist in the transmission tunnel! That doesn't include having everything re chromed, drivetrain rebuilt, and new interior... Mrs is going to kill me, but when the car is completed 5-10 years from now, I can say I did it all.

JeffB2 · 11-22-2013, 06:02 PM

One part critical since you guys get snow and road salt is the front crossmember they have a strong tendency to rust out in the 54-56 Fords,replacements are available.Be sure you join this group here as couple guys have some cars being parted out: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332

11-16-2013, 10:06 AM	#1
1954skyliner Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Collins, Ohio Posts: 4	1954 Skyliner Project Hello Everyone my name is Chris and this is my very first post to the Forum. I have found a 1954 Skyliner in my area for sale that needs restored. The car is partially disassembled and will need a lot of work. The frame appears to be rusty but solid, the floors look decent maybe a couple small patches. The spare tire well has a hole, the rockers are shot and the fenders and quarters are littered with holes, the Chrome needs replated or replaced and the interior is there but completely shot. My biggest question is what is this thing worth in its current condition? I'm not sure if it has the original motor, as it has thunderbird special valve covers on it. The car is green, with a white and green interior. V8- three speed, not sure of any options. I due have a photo of the pillar plate for reference. They also have two tops for the car, the original which is still in place and an extra. I know this will take me a very long time and a lot of money to complete myself, I like the car because it is different. Any input would be greatly appreciated, also any chrome trim on the dash anyone make that, or do I have to have all of my pieces replated?

11-16-2013, 03:45 PM	#2
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Post some pictures here and that would help,what is the seller asking for it? Is there a link to a craigslist ad for pictures and price?

11-18-2013, 04:07 PM	#4
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Buy it.

11-18-2013, 04:17 PM	#5
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project If you can make the deal for $1500 it's OK,sign up here too:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332 We have put together a HUGE "what fits" section to help track down parts for 1952-59 Fords.

11-18-2013, 07:36 PM	#6
Lancer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Modesto Posts: 171	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Oh ya, but it fast. __________________ SPEEDNCHROME.COM

11-19-2013, 11:39 AM	#7
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,706	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Not that I would ever do it, but you could get your money back just by cutting off the roof and selling it.

11-19-2013, 08:10 PM	#8
teejay99 Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: belle river ontario Posts: 56	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Like you said , it will take a lot of time and money to complete . Back when I was young and foolish and getting into cars an old buddy said " estimate the time and money it will take ...and then triple that number , you MIGHT be close " . He knew what he was talking about . Emphasize that to the current owner and offer less than $1500 .....I don't think anyone else is beating down the doors to buy it . Take it from there . I'm thinkin' $900 for starters ..... T

11-20-2013, 08:57 AM	#9
1954skyliner Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Collins, Ohio Posts: 4	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Thank you everyone, I'm off Thursday and Friday and would like to look at the car one more time. I want to see if the engine is frozen and if the front part of the frame is solid. I have been told that the car comes with an extra roof, but didn't notice it on the first visit. I haven't seen any articles about polishing the tops, or people looking to purchase them.

11-20-2013, 12:16 PM	#10
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project One thing about them is they are more fun to show than to drive.. Get's pretty warm in a green house.. Later versions actually came with a shade.

11-21-2013, 04:30 PM	#12
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Unless you're a purist, a frozen 239 is no loss.

11-22-2013, 02:16 PM	#13
1954skyliner Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Collins, Ohio Posts: 4	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project Well made it back over to look at the car one last time, and well I can't say that my opinion of the car is any better, but I still think I'll buy her. The engine appears to be a 54 239, or at least have 239 exhaust manifolds on it. 2v no power steering or power brakes, and I also noticed the frame mount under the firewall on the driver side is shot and the top on the car has small cracks in the plastic. You can't feel the cracks and if I hadn't shined the flashlight from the inside facing the roof I never would have seen them, probably stress cracks from age. This car is very close to being a parts car, I literally have to do some kind of sheet metal patch work on every panel. Hood, Fenders, Doors, rockers, quarter panels, floor boards, firewall, trunk floor, and someone cut a hole the size of your fist in the transmission tunnel! That doesn't include having everything re chromed, drivetrain rebuilt, and new interior... Mrs is going to kill me, but when the car is completed 5-10 years from now, I can say I did it all. Last edited by 1954skyliner; 11-22-2013 at 02:23 PM.

11-22-2013, 06:02 PM	#14
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 1954 Skyliner Project One part critical since you guys get snow and road salt is the front crossmember they have a strong tendency to rust out in the 54-56 Fords,replacements are available.Be sure you join this group here as couple guys have some cars being parted out: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=332