1953 FORD MAINLINE CUSTOM

OVERVIEW

This frame-off-restored and customized 1953 Ford Mainline is powered by a 350ci Chevrolet V8 backed by a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission. Features include custom body modifications, power steering, Fatman 2.5-inch dropped spindles, Jamco one-inch dropped front coil springs, a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo, an Old Air Products climate control system, and a tilt steering column. Finished in Sunrise Red over a white and cranberry red leather interior, this Ford is available now and comes from the selling dealer with a car cover, vehicle documentation, a copy of the LineChaser magazine in which it was featured, receipts, build photos, and a clear Massachusetts title.

EXTERIOR - FEATURES

The exterior of this magazine cover car has been customized and finished in Ford's Sunrise Red. Features include chrome bumpers; a modified 1953 Ford grille combined with a 1954 Chevrolet grille with extra teeth added; a shaved hood, trunk, and doors; remote solenoid-operated doors and trunk; 1955 Pontiac Chieftain and 1953 Mercury side trim; dual mirrors; 1953 Customline front and rear window trim; and flared and raised rear wheel well lips. Additional features include a custom-fabricated hinged gas cap cover, accent pinstriping, chrome lake pipes, a 1949 Chevrolet front license plate frame modified to fit a stock 1953 Ford rear bumper, and 1961 Oldsmobile taillight housings with 1956 Oldsmobile taillight lenses.

EXTERIOR - WHEELS AND TIRES

A set of body-color steel wheels with 1957 Dodge Lancer hubcaps is wrapped in whitewall radial tires.

INTERIOR - FEATURES

The front bench seat, rear seat, rear trim, and door panels are upholstered in white leather with cranberry red piping and leather diamond-pleated inserts. Features include power steering, manual brakes, manual windows, electric windshield wipers, a new Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo and speakers, an Old Air Products climate control system, new wiring, a Flaming River chrome tilt steering column with an automatic shifter, and a Flashpower Cruisin' polished aluminum three-spoke steering wheel. The glove box, dome light switch, keyless entry system for the doors and trunk, and emergency trunk release cable are new.

INTERIOR - GAUGES

The set of white-faced Dolphin gauges mounted in a billet aluminum panel includes a 140-mph speedometer and readouts for the fuel level, water temperature, oil pressure, and voltage. The odometer reads 12,968 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

Power is provided by a 1971 four-bolt-main 350ci Chevrolet V8 backed by a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission with a shift kit. Underhood features include polished aluminum finned valve covers, an aluminum Edelbrock intake, an Edelbrock four-barrel 650-cfm carburetor, a polished aluminum air cleaner with accent striping, a chrome alternator, a chrome air conditioning compressor, an aluminum radiator, a body-color firewall, and ram horn-style exhaust manifolds. Several new parts were installed in 2022, including an air cleaner, valve covers, an Edelbrock intake and carburetor, a high-volume oil pump and screen, a one-piece Edelbrock timing cover, a Melling double-roller timing chain and gear set, an aluminum water pump, a Blue Point harmonic balancer, a Sanden chrome air conditioning compressor, a chrome Powermaster alternator, a front-mounted electric cooling fan, and a finned transmission fluid pan. Videos of the engine starting and running can be seen below.

UNDERCARRIAGE

This Ford was factory-equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear drive axle. During the restoration, the chassis and suspension parts were cleaned and refinished in black and the body floors were refinished to match the body color. Upgrades include power steering, Fatman 2.5-inch dropped front spindles, Jamco one-inch drop front coil springs, a Chassis Engineering heavy-duty front sway bar, a 1975 Granada eight-inch rear axle with 3.08:1 gears, Jamco three-inch dropped leaf springs, and two-inch lowering blocks. Braking is provided by stock 1953 Ford manual four-wheel drum brakes. A dual exhaust system exits at the rear and is connected to the capped chrome lake pipes. New parts installed in 2022 include new front and rear shocks, rear brakes and cylinders including new dual master cylinder, a rebuilt and balanced driveshaft, and a rear axle pinion seal.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The selling dealer will include a car cover, vehicle documentation, receipts, a copy of the LineChaser magazine in which the car was featured, and build photos as part of the sale.