Hopefully when I get Hicksville built, I'll take everybody here along for that cruise past the elevator, the Ford dealer, the Shell station. the fire hall and the lumber yard. Not all built yet, but all planned for. Actually, the '53 is an HO scale stand in, BTW. Classic Metal Works 30101 HO Mini Metals 1953 Ford Crown Victoria 2-Do – Trainz The prototype was actually a '54 Ford 2 door sedan with a '56 Merc 312. It needs some work but still lives in my garage. And, yep, it's painted Ford 3L dark metallic blue and equipped with dual glasspacks. The thing I love most about it is that sliding behind the wheel is kind of like stepping into another time. Come to think of it, that's also one of the great things about model railroading, too. But I digress. Candy, let us know what results from your own trip into the past.
That's one nice ride. I've had three Crown Vics... none looked like that! Mine all looked like plain-wrapper cop cars...
Actually that 1953 is not a "Crown Victoria". It is a "Crestline Crown Victoria". The true Crowns that collectors go nuts over are the transparent roof versions. In '54 it was the "Crestline Skyliner", '55 "Crown Victoria Transparent Top", and '56 "Crown Victoria Skyliner". In '57 started the retractable roofs. I briefly had a '56 Victoria, but it was not a Crown. Had a 312 from a Merc in it, was quick and it loved to blow transmissions. Sent it to the junk yard. PS- those were not V8 motors, they were "Y" blocks- which Ford/Lincoln/Mercury had adapted from the Ford truck line. They wound up fast, but would also toss rods, being truck, not car motors. Ford did not have a V8 (small block "Windsor"), until 1962, releasing the 221. The 221 was a cool little motor, but had puny rods and crank. Only lasted a year and a half, when they came out with the much stronger bottom end 260.
Thanks for the corrections about Y blocks. The biggest issues I had with the 272, 292 and 312 was massive oil leaks from the rear main seal. Resulting in the loss of clutch. I hated automatics. My '55 Fairlane got a '58 332 Police Interceptor with overdrive. It blew off many '55 Chevys. Hmmm!! What happened to out other hobbies?
Also known as Flip Top Boxes, a phrase taken from a cigarette that came in boxes instead of packs. The retractable top design was a lousy idea because the retracted top took up the entire trunk space, leaving no room for groceries, etc.
I worked on a lot of those motors. They also would have troubles with their distributors wearing, and be hard to tune. And from time to time would bend pushrods.
That's why I went to Buick. The '61 Special 4 door hardtop had a 401. That help me get to know all the gas stations.
Convertible automobiles are a poor exercise in utility, retractable top or not... Fun as heck though! I prefer pickups, with a "convertible" trunk, AKA "an 8 foot bed that never has to be made."
"Utes", especially the Holden Ute, I would love to have one over here in the States, like a modern El Camino!
This thread has admittedly taken an automotive turn, but in terms of creativity, a certain amount of discussion of related ideas is part and parcel. I would certainly hope that Candy has gleaned something useful from us. However, in the end, her layout will look like her layout. It will be a reflection of her ideas. (I would be taken aback if it looked anything like downtown Hicksville) It will definitely look eastern U.S. and will display the artistry that it has so far. Best wishes. I'm anxious to see it and I'm sure We'll be impressed as usual.
No, I was referring to the "convertible" utility of a pickup's bed, whether it's hauling trash to the dump, feed for livestock, camper to a campground, or a couple of lawn chairs for a night out at the drive-in theatre on a sweet summer night. "8 foot bed that never has to be made" is a line from the country & western song "Pickup Man" by Joe Diffie.
I know that in the past Candy has shown us a photo or two of her scenes related to the automotive repair side of life. Perhaps she will decide to add a bit more to that, with our discussion of cars and old hot rodding days. Her time frame sure seems to fit that era.
So, you may have noticed that I had changed my mind. Girls always do you know. My new thread is called, 1127 Walnut Avenue. Have a look if you hadn't already done so. Hope to see you there.
