Review: 1954 FORD Customline - Barney Fife's Dream Car

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[@richardgreathouse9702]

For man who hadn't driven a three-on--the-tree in a "long time", he did very well, even on the ultimate test, I.e., starting from a stop on an up-slope. Of course, he did learn (assume many years ago) on a Rambler (youngsters, go ask a senior citizen). Some things you just don't forget. Btw, my first car was a '54 Ford Customline 4-door sedan. It was faded light blue, had the 239 c.i. OHV V-8, hooked to a 3'speed manual with the electro-mechanical Overdrive. Bought it in the summer of 1963, from a neighbor, who had purchased it new. (His wife didn't drive, and when his oldest daughter got her license, he bought her a used '53 or '54 Ford. Talk about a one-owner car...) Learned a lot about driving, auto maintenance, and some other thiings in that old machine. Whatever I may have said to a few young ladies at the time, it WAS my first love. 💘

[@wmalden]

The look on Drew’s face when he first took the wheel! Fear? Awe? Priceless!!

[@MidwestDreamCarCollection]

I was fearful I wouldn’t remember how to correctly use the column-shift, but I was in awe of how well-done the restoration is.

[@Angelfishworld]

How much does a car like this run?

[@johnnichols9552]

The US1954 V8 was the first Ford OHV, not flathead. 239 CI Y-block. Had one. It was a gutless wonder. My dad had a 52 and a 53 with V8s. Both flatheads. The 1954 Canadian version was still a flathead.

[@TABrown-xh7xc]

The early 50's Plymouth's had beautiful ship hood ornaments.

[@rodbutler4054]

This car reminds me of my first car,1954 4dr custom line w/manual trans &overdrive w Yblock V8 dual exhaust same green color with a cream roof and racing rib tires. The car moved easily cruised at 85mph. It was a Texas car with no rust. Ford in the day was bringing out mechanical upgrades every year and new front end ball joints made a steady steering car. It had a 6 volt electrical system and served me well when I was stationed in Colorado.

[@thomasjordan3449]

Styling and build quality of ‘54s was a high point. Ball joint suspension upgrade from previous year kingpins made it quite nimble, these are such standouts there is a club for ‘54s exclusively.

[@BonnieKay13]

We left Devil's Lake ND, headed due east, held our '54 at steady 85 all the way to the MN border, then SE to east central MN and home. Super nice road car. We've had it to NY and CT also, and to Montana, and Canada. Y-block V8, OD, 6v, all original.

[@carlhaluss]

Thank you guys. Fantastic! My Mom's car from 1954 to 1964, except hers was a V8 Automatic, with no radio. I still recognize that beautiful clock! And the interior trim looks the same. I learned to drive on an enormous 1964 Buick Strato Chief with 3 speed standard on the column as well!

[@pjbecker6722]

Interesting stuff Drew. Keep it up! Still happy to see you improving with your neck movement.

[@pauls1572]

My dad's first car was a 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria 2 door hardtop, with the flathead v8. 2 tone green, with exhaust cutouts behind the front wheels. I have seen pictures of him with it in front of grandma's house. He said it sounded great, but didn't win any races, lol

[@lffit]

I remember them in Australia had lots out there, this was also referred to as the "single spinner" because of the single cone in the grille, then came the "double spinner", we had the Mainline which I think was only a pickup,( called out there a ute) Great video thanks!

[@traviswarehime5796]

You’re doing an amazing job on your videos! I really enjoy watching them.

[@mistervacation23]

That car has just been sitting on a velvet pillow! Mrs Lesh!!

[@ldodom]

The three-on-the-tree was one of those ideas that looked far better on paper than in reality. That car is a workout to drive. Btw, you’re doing awesome, Drew! 🏆✨

[@MidwestDreamCarCollection]

Yes, I agree with you there. And thank you!

[@MisterMikeTexas]

It was OK as long as the linkage didn't get hung up. That was an intermittent problem on my dad's used 1965 F100. Even though the truck was less than 10 years old at the time, there were no replacements or rebuild kits available.

[@jeffsheldon]

Very happy to see this review. My dad's first car was a Crestline and I've been very eager to see this on the road.

[@knowone6214]

I owned 1 of those with a v8 and 3 on the tree with overdrive....the 6 volt system was nuts....even the same color...LOL....brings back fond memories

[@johnlavender242]

IIRC, it became a Federal Law (at least in the United States; I don't know about Canada) that all cars manufactured after January 1, 1956, be equipped with directional signals as standard equipment.

[@monarch1957]

My dad had a 54 Ford Customline like that but was a 4 door white with blue top and blue interior with the flathead V8.

[@carlv8168]

Beautiful car. Looks like a 223 cu inch six. BTW, that electric clock was also a factory option. I had a Crestline with the optional 239 cu inch Y-block V8.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Those were great sixes!

[@willyphast2509]

old barney sure had some class on this pickins,,

[@DMBall]

Did you put sawdust in the transmission? "She's gonna need plugs, points, bearings, valves, rings, starter switch, ignition wires, water pump, fuel pump, oil pump, clutch, clutch bearings, clutch plate, brake linings, brake shoes, brake drums, radiator hose...and I'd give her a good wash, too." - Gomer Pyle.

[@williammeszaros1671]

WHOW THIS IS THE CAR I always wanted 54 ford v8 manual shift I almost had one in 1959.Bill

[@mkshffr4936]

Drew, when starting out try easing the clutch out while your foot is still on the brake until you feel it start to engage then move your right foot to the accelerator. That way you don't have to rush the transition and will be easier to me smooth. These engines had some torque.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Wow, 3 on the tree, a lost art good analogy. Inline 6 easy to work on. '54 Ford had seat belts, '55 Buick did not?

[@thomasjordan3449]

M. W. Seat belts probably added by restorer M W, I don’t think Ford offered belts as an option until ‘56.

[@richardgreathouse9702]

M.W. And the seatbelts in '56 were -- a huge flop! Ford was much derided for them, as I recall. Bought seatbelts (front only) for my '54 Customline in '64 or '65 -- a local service organization (can't recall which) was installing them for a very reasonable price over the weekend. They were the type like those in aircraft at the time -- friction type, no buckle/snap as such. Holes drilled thru the floorboard behind the front seat, then fastened with large nuts and bolts. The belts were colored black or gray -- went well with most car interiors.

[@Pdraver333]

In 1957, my dad bought a 54 Ford Customline from Jim Moran's Courtesy Ford in Chicago It had front seat belts. I've read since that Moran liked them, so they were probably put on at the dealership. My dad liked them so much, he had them install a pair in the back seat. In the video I can't quite see enough to tell for sure, but the belts look to be the similar pull-through style of the belts in dad's car. Instead of snapping into a latch, you'd pull the belt through the buckle and when released, it would bite into the belt. By the time dad got rid of the car in 1963, those belts were very fuzzy!

[@thomasjordan3449]

‘54 in USA had first overhead V-8. Inline 6 probably still more power and cooler running than V-8, counterintuitive. 🙏

[@mkshffr4936]

The 6 is the superior engine IMO, esp in the flatheads.

[@jimwoods2180]

i had forgot about there being an option for a passenger visor & arm rest - that seems so silly now - the headliner of the car was very attractive as was the car as a whole :)

[@daryllect6659]

And best of all, it's "powered" (I use the word "powered" loosely,) by the infamous Ford Y block, a heavy, long-stroke, stacked-port, low-RPM, rocker-squeaking, main-leaking POS.

[@jeffreysheridan5205]

Hey Drew, no flathead in 54. First year of the overhead V8.

[@tedwalker1370]

I see they did change the oil filter to a spin on stile. That is good mine had a can with filter inside.

[@vincentlanza5155]

have a 54 now, same color but with a y block 239 ! for sale !!! needs restoration

[@dbrohard2808]

Awesome car

[@jamescampen1650]

I have the 4 door of that car , sitting in my garage.

[@dennisschell5543]

Flathead V8 was gone in 1954, replaced with a Y-block.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Sounds like that 6 cylinder had mechanical lifters. I like the sound of that engine and transmission. About 11 years later, Ford would have the game-changing, "quieter than a Rolls-Royce" 1965s out. This car definitely was not, lol.

[@AmeerHamza-nv2ei]

Hi. Can you give me a list of ALL the mwdcc cars i'm curious make,model engine, purchase price etc.

[@Robert-.-Smith]

Looking into one of these for a little over 7 grand, it's armature restored but its said to run great, should I buy?

[@OMENASOSEKTFLM]

NICE ONE

[@AmeerHamza-nv2ei]

Hi. Great video new subscriber! Also. I want to know where are your beuiteful cars located? I want to visit

[@MidwestDreamCarCollection]

We are located in Manhattan, Kansas. Come by and have a look!

[@lilshag3472]

Theres one rotting away in the woods behind my house

[@guywithphone9222]

Save it

[@lilshag3472]

alessandro tagle it is messed up on the passenger side

[@user-zh6ow7nh1g]

How,many,😊d😊😊oll

[@sportsterray66]

It probably rode nice from being recently restored, but also '54 was the first year for the new ball joint front suspension, besides the new ohv V8. 🧏‍♂️