New member from Ontario Canada

[69torino]

Hello . this is Mike from Collingwood Ontario Canada . I have recently aquired a 1956 Meteor Niagara 2 door hardtop. I am curious as to how many other Meteor owners there are on this forum.

[frank long island]

welcome you will find a wealth of information on this site if not they will send you in the right direction

[69torino]

thank you Frank.

[Fortunateson]

Welcome from New Westminster, BC. I have a '56 Meteor Rideau Victoria. I love the Meteors as they are a seldom seen. Be darn careful of the bottom of the star at the front of the hood. I've torn a bit of meat off my head when the hood was up and I forgot to duck! There was a fellow in Aylmer, Quebec that had car a lot like mine. I was going to work on the car last weekend but I had to cut the lawn. How's the weather in Collingwood? LOL

[Fortunateson]

I forgot to add that the '56 Meteor grille was part of the Kustom parts provided in the AMT '56 Ford kit.

[darrell]

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i have a 56 rideau town sedan.from p.e.i.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by Fortunateson

I forgot to add that the '56 Meteor grille was part of the Kustom parts provided in the AMT '56 Ford kit.

I had that AMT kit when I was a kid. So now I know where that custom grill came from. Memories !
I was recently in a hobby shop and noticed that the AMT '56 ford kit is still being made.

Sal

[Fortunateson]

Yeah, that was my first 1/25 scale model. My dad told me about the grille. Now I have a very cool full size one! However it is waiting it's turn for restoration.

[frank long island]

I can remember buying those models with customize options and mom always asking why do you have extra parts although they were a lot cheaper then

[darrell]

there were not a lot of niagara hardtops made.they were on the same level as the customline hardtop and like them didnt come out i think until mid year.

[RCM]

Welcome Mike.

[Ricks56]

Welcome Mike, from northern NY, not too far from you. Nice car!

[69torino]

Thanks fellows. There were 700 Niagara hardtops produced . This car was sold originally in Saskatoon Sasketchewan and brought to Ontario in 1998. I traded two cars to the fellow that brought it here and had began a slow restoration . At this point it is 90% complete. It is currently being painted in the original 3 tone scheme , black roof with red on cream. I have to do a complete interior replacement , then will do the mechanical including a front disc brake conversion which I started another thread on. I was born in 1956 and have been looking for a Meteor or Mercury for several years. To be able to do a trade of vehicles I had planned to sell to finance a 56 was a God send. As for the weather here, , the Blue Mountain ski clubs are having one of their best seasons ever but PEI beats us hands down on snow accumulation from what I am seeing on tv. I lived there 1977-1980. It is a beautiful place to visit, just not between Nov and April
I should mention I also own a 1969 Torino GT convertible.

[Fortunateson]

I told was born in '56 so having a '56 Meteor is more meaningful. 1956 was truly a very good year....

[LOWRIDER]

Welcome Mike. Nice car. Growing up in Detroit, the Ford dealer I worked at as a kid had a few Canadian mechanics that would commute from Windsor everyday to work. One of them had a 56 Meteor Rideau CV. I had to have it & bugged him to sell it to me. I finally bought it when he picked up a newer 64 Ford Convertible in '68. The Meteor was a three tone blue/white with black insert stripe. Loved that car but had to sell it in '69 when I got drafted. A few years later I half-heartily tried to find another but all I could find was American CV's.

[56 Fairlane]

Welcome Mike, greetings from east of you, on the rock,lol. I have a 56 Ford Town Sedan. Nice Meteor you have, if you are on Facebook there is a page for Meteors and Monarchs.

[69torino]

Thanks fellows. I will look for the Meteor Facebook page. I was over yesterday to check on the progress of the car and it is now completely block sanded . Paint will be going on this week now that the temperatures have warmed abit. I will add pics later when I can get on the desktop .

[69torino]

I haven't been able to confirm if this is a 272 or 292 ?

[56 Fairlane]

Mike, now that I see your 56 side on, I think I was talking to the previous owner on that car. It was advertised on KIJIJI. Due to distance, cost of shipping, etc. I held off. I am sure it will be nice finished and hopefully you keep us posted on your progress. Mike are you familiar with the HAMB? There is a social group on there " 52-59 Ford owners group" with lots of info on upgrading brakes, steering, etc.

[scicala]

"I haven't been able to confirm if this is a 272 or 292 ?"


In 1956 in the USA, the 272 was only offered with a 2 barrel carburetor, so guessing youre's is a 272. Not sure if the 292 and 312 were offered on Meteors. Pretty sure in Australia the only V8 was the 272 2 barrel, but 'Mercman From Oz" is the expert in that area.

Sal

[stokes.greg]

Hello. What's all that white stuff on your car? We don't get much of that in Arkansas.

[69torino]

56 Fairlane, yes it was on Kijiji where I found it. The PO, Don is a great guy, knows these cars very well and has several more and a mass of parts.
Scicala, once it is ready for certification, the shop that will be doing it is also an engine shop . The founder of it still comes into work every day , well into his 70's. He will know which engine it is so I will rely on him as always. He built the 5.0 HO in my Torino.
Greg, that white stuff is simply known here as liquid gold as I live in the biggest winter recreation area in Ontario. To me, it is just hell on the driveway.

[56 Fairlane]

I am glad it found a good home, those Meteors are getting scarce. I would like to get my hands on a 56 Crown but I need to win the lottery to get one.

[69torino]

Where are you in Newfoundland ? I lived in St Johns Sept 77 to May 78.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a 1956 Meteor Rideau Victoria from the original Sales Brochure which is in French. Unfortunately, my Sales Brochure doesn't show the Niagara Victoria. I believe that the Niagara Victoria was released partway through the model year, like the Customline Victoria was. You would need to refer to the Revised Sales Brochure for a picture of the Niagara Victoria. All 1956 Ford Products are good looking cars. You probably know, but our 1958 Fords in Australia had the side trim from the 1956 Meteor Rideau, but it appears that they didn't like the Grilles on the 56 Meteor, so substituted the 55 Meteor Grille. The finished product did look nice, even with the mixed year parts.

[56 Fairlane]

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Placentia, east side of the Avalon Peninsula.

[mercman from oz]

Here are some pictures of the Australian 1958 Fords. These were officially known as Fordomatics, as they cam standard with the Fordomatic Transmission. There was also a Customline version offered, and these came with the standard three speed manual transmission. The upmarket Fordomatic had the additional thin chrome trim above the main side trim, where a second or third colour was added. Note that these cars have the same side and rear trim as the 56 Meteor, but are fitted with the 55 Meteor Grille. The Blue Ford is missing the Standard Over Riders on the Bumper.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of the regular 1958 Ford Customline. You can see that the thin chrome strips above the main chrome side trim is missing on this model. All 1958 Ford Customlines came with Manual Transmissions and were only available in Two Tone, not Three Tone that was optional on the 1958 Fordomatics. While you do see quite a few 58 Fordomatics, the 58 Customlines are very thin on the ground. All 58 Australian Fords came with the Dog Dish Hubcaps with a Gold Star in the centre, while the Fordomatics also got Chrome Wheel Trims that made it look like a Full Wheel Trim. No American based big Fords sold by Ford Australia got Full Wheel Covers until the 1965 Ford Galaxie.

[scicala]

Interesting in the brochure (in French) that they referred to the transmission as a Merc-o-matic and not Ford-o-matic.

Sal

[darrell]

69 torino sounds like you did some roaming in your day.what did you do.

[69torino]

I was a radio DJ in my younger days. I worked at CJON while living in St Johns NFLD which 56 Fairlane will be familiar with. At age 33 I left radio and got a tractor trailer drivers license which I did for the next 20 years . I have been driving a tilt n load tow truck for the past 6 years.
Can you fellas advise me on the differences between the Niagara and Rideau hardtops ?

[mercman from oz]

Hi 69torino, I found this picture of a car that looks nearly identical to your 1956 Meteor Niagara Victoria? The low roof-lines on the 56 Ford and Meteor Victorias look just great. Ford should have had this roof-line on the 55 Fairlane Victorias.

[5851a]

I agree that roofline would have been great on the 55's. They actually did in a way as it was on the 55 Crowns.

[69torino]

I haven't seen any badging on it with Victoria, just Niagara ? I have that pic on my computer as well as this one from the same original poster. . Thanks for posting.

[Fortunateson]

Now if someone could find me the rubber/plastic gasket for the trunk lock/trim I would be REALLY grateful!

[mercman from oz]

69torino, I believe that the difference between the Niagara and Rideau Victoria would be the same difference between the Customline and Fairlane Victoria of the same years. In both instances, the Rideau and the Fairlane were the top model in the range, while the more economical models were the Niagara and the Customline. In the USA, the Mainline was the Base model, but was never available as a 2 door hardtop. So, the main differences between these two models would be the Side Trim, as well as the Interior Trim. your Niagara would not be as fancy as the Rideau. As mentioned in an earlier Post, when the new 56 Fords and Meteors were released, you could only get the Victoria as a Fairlane or Rideau. Then, a few months after release, Ford decided to add the lower priced Victoria in the Customline and Niagara models as well. As a result, they would had had to revise the original Sales Brochure. Regards Mercman <><

[darrell]

fortunateson im looking for that as well.thats the trouble with meteors all these special parts are gone and nowone is going to make them.

[mercman from oz]

Is this the Trim piece that you are after? This Trim was standard on all Australian 1958 Fords. You may be able to locate what you need in Australia?

http://www.cussobills.com/ford-custo...d-tbird-parts/

http://www.rubberconnection.com.au/

http://www.allamericanautoparts.com....ord/customline

[Fortunateson]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Is this the Trim piece that you are after? This Trim was standard on all Australian 1958 Fords. You may be able to locate what you need in Australia?

http://www.cussobills.com/ford-custo...d-tbird-parts/

http://www.rubberconnection.com.au/

http://www.allamericanautoparts.com....ord/customline

Thanks for posting. What I need is that gasket that goes between what you posted and the trunk itself. I had a pretty good one I got when I got the car but it was folded in it's original box. When I un-folded it it became quite upset and cracked into a few pieces. I guess I'll have to make up something.

By the way all, there is a fellow in the states that makes up new plastic coat of arms that fit into the corresponding side bezel as well as the inserts that fit into the full wheel covers. $$$$$$$.

[Fortunateson]

Originally Posted by 69torino

I haven't been able to confirm if this is a 272 or 292 ?

That looks like the 2 barrel air cleaner to me. And being the lower Niagra line it stands to reason it would have the 272ci engine. Also it has the cross-over pipe for the exhaust that indicates the 272ci engine. However, ANY Meteor is a great car!

[69torino]

Car came out of paint shop over the weekend. I don't have the budget to rechrome anything this year so we are going to pull off the grille and paint it with the chrome look paint that is out now. I have all new side glass with the greenish tint to go in , then upholstery and mechanical. I am hoping to have it on the road by June.

[RCM]

Good looking. What are those mirror-like things on your headlights?
Post some pics of what you came up with regarding the new chrome paint.
Regards

[Fortunateson]

Looking good! So what are you using as a gasket behind the trunk lock trim?

[darrell]

your roof should be white but whatever makes you happy.

[54vicky]

Rui they were a popular item in the 60s and still are around we called them cats eyes.

[RCM]

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Thanks vicky, do they let light through or do you need to take'em off to drive at night?
Regards.

[scicala]

Originally Posted by RCM

Thanks vicky, do they let light through or do you need to take'em off to drive at night?
Regards.

I believe they are designed to reduce the headlight glare for oncoming traffic in front of you at night.

Sal

[Gumpy]

welcome mike,, 69 torino thats a cool car!

[meteor 53]

I also own a rear Meteor,a 50th anniversary coupe one of 500 made but I still drive it every where . Meteors used Mercury power trains if that will help figure out engine size , mine has the 255 flat head

[darrell]

that practise ended in 54.i owned a 53 convertable back in 68.

[RCM]

Originally Posted by scicala

I believe they are designed to reduce the headlight glare for oncoming traffic in front of you at night.

Sal

Thanks Sal.

[darrell]

most put them on for looks.like a crow anything shiny was a go.

[54vicky]

late but to answer your question they do allow light.but are illegal here in Ontario.as Darrell said more for looks than practical.

[69torino]

Thanks for the comments fellows. Meteors being Canadian produced, were available in tri color combinations. This car has been painted to match what it looked like according to pictures taken in 1962 which the PO had . I have no history on it prior to then.

[56 Fairlane]

Looking good Mike, did the guy you bought the Meteor from paint it? I noticed a couple of 55 or 56 Fords in the background.

[69torino]

To answer questions, the trunk trim gasket was still useable so was not replaced. I likely will remove the cat eye plates later, the car also has the vent window screens popular back in the day which will go back on when the new glass and weatherstripping is installed. It was indeed the fellow I got it from who painted it. He has been a bodyman for years . He has a dozen 50's cars still waiting for restoration including 4 55-6 Fairlanes.

[mercman from oz]

Looking good 69torino. Can't wait to see large pictures of the finished car. Keep up the good work on this beauty. Regards Mercman <><

[mercman from oz]

Here is an interesting observation, comparing the 1955 and 1956 Meteors from the original Sales Brochure. As you can see, both cars have nearly identical side trim, however, in 1955, this trim was used on the top of the line Meteor Rideau, while in 1956, the same trim was used on the more economical Meteor Niagara. Unfortunately, I only have photos of the Two-Door Club Sedans, not the Victorias. Thought that you might like to see these pictures.

[69torino]

Thanks Mercman . I will send these pics to the upholstery guy as a sample for him to recreate the interior which has to be entirely replaced. I still am curious as to your referring my car as a Victoria ? Is that an Oz nameplate ? There is no badging on this car with Victoria , just Niagara.

[54vicky]

I think the reason he called a vicky because it is a hardtop not positive if meteor used this designation or not I will try checking my literature

[mercman from oz]

Hi 69torino, The name Victoria is used in the original Sales brochure. Attached are photos of both the 1955 meteor Rideau Victoria, as well as the 1956 Meteor Victoria. Unfortunately, my 56 Brochures is in French, but you can still read that this body style is called a Victoria. Victoria was the name for the 2 door Hardtop Body Style, both in the Ford Line, as well as the Meteor Line. When the 56 Meteors were released, Meteor didn't offer a Victoria in the Niagara series,l but it was release some months after the other models. A similar thing happened with the 1956 Ford Customline Victoria. It was released after the other 1956 Ford models were released as competition to the Chevrolet 210 2-door hardtop. So your car is definitely a 1956 Meteor Niagara Victoria. I hope that this helps. Mercman <><

[56 Fairlane]

Mike, the Victoria line was a 2dr hdtp, like yours. The Town Victoria was the 4dr hdtp, Town Sedan was a 4dr sedan and Club Sedan was the 2dr sedan. Do you have the chrome trim for the interior panels?

[RCM]

Very nice info. Thanks

[darrell]

mike what does it say on your redistration meteor niagara or mercury meteor?a lot got changed through the years to mercury meteor which is wrong.mine was but i got it changed back.

[54vicky]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Hi 69torino, The name Victoria is used in the original Sales brochure. Attached are photos of both the 1955 meteor Rideau Victoria, as well as the 1956 Meteor Victoria. Unfortunately, my 56 Brochures is in French, but you can still read that this body style is called a Victoria. Victoria was the name for the 2 door Hardtop Body Style, both in the Ford Line, as well as the Meteor Line. When the 56 Meteors were released, Meteor didn't offer a Victoria in the Niagara series,l but it was release some months after the other models. A similar thing happened with the 1956 Ford Customline Victoria. It was released after the other 1956 Ford models were released as competition to the Chevrolet 210 2-door hardtop. So your car is definitely a 1956 Meteor Niagara Victoria. I hope that this helps. Mercman <><

looks like mercmac found the answer

[69torino]

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My title reads Meteor only. I don't have any interior for the car other than seats . I have to have it all made . I said goodbye to my 83 Mustang GLX convertible last week, so 1/2 of the deal is done. I traded it and a 76 Monte Carlo for the 56.

[56 Fairlane]

Mustang looks like it's in good shape, was it 5 litre?

[69torino]

It is a v6 with a/c. It was imported from Arizona and had never been out of Phoenix since new. Bought by a retired lady who spent summers here in Ontario and the rest of the year in Phoenix, the car stayed there all year round. When she passed , it was brought to Ontario by her grandson who traded it to me for a 83 F250 I had. I had it two years but with 4 other vehicles, I rarely drove it. It is clean as a new one and the fellow I traded it to along with a 32000 mile 76 Monte Carlo for the 56, is giving it to a family member as a gift. The Mustang odometer reads 56000 miles.

[darrell]

im sure a little old lady owned your car mike but we used to have great fun with that kind of stuff.the other day i was at my local junk yard and the owner said he was gettin a 94 crown in that was owned by a priest.i own a 93 crown and we had a great laugh over that one.we got talking about old times and a fellow who ran a used car lot.a fellow pulled in one day and he had 2 old vauxhalls on the lot just traded in by 2 school teachers.sometimes it was a nun.great fun.

[warren J white]

Welcome,
Can anyone tell me if my 1956 Meteor Niagra two door 6 cylinder car is supposed to have a 6 cyl badge on the front fender? My fellow ford guys are telling me it should have one.