Vehicle Description
1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner Convertible Coupe
The Indianapolis 500 features a "rolling start" in which entrants
follow a pace car into the green flag. Various automobile
manufacturers provide pace cars on an irregular rotating basis. As
America's longest-running automobile race, it's not surprising that
the Indianapolis 500 is steeped in special traditions. Whether it's
the wistful singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the
green flag, or the celebratory Victory Lane milk toast - which is
anything but milquetoast - Indy is full of distinctive rituals that
make the race unique. One of those long-standing traditions is the
pace car, a fixture since the very first Indy 500 in 1911. Ford was
given pace car honors for 1953 and thusly built 2,000 examples for
the public. It was a big year for the company - half a century had
passed since Henry Ford and his primary shareholders signed the
articles of association establishing Ford Motor Company in 1903.
The firm celebrated its golden anniversary in several ways. It
commissioned Norman Rockwell to create artwork for a special
calendar. It built a high-tech concept car said to contain more
than 50 automotive innovations. And it gave every vehicle it built
that year a commemorative steering wheel badge that read "50th
Anniversary 1903-1953". -Thx to Thehenryford.org
For 1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner, driven by William Clay Ford Sr.
Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary with this
special edition pace car with a special white and gold color scheme
and special graphics. It featured the venerable 239ci flathead
eight fitted with a 2bbl Holley Model 2100 carburetor and
three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission. This was the first Indy 500
pace car to be replicated by a manufacturer and Henry Ford II had a
limited edition of 2000 replicas built for sale to the public.
Offered for consignment and your viewing pleasure, this 1953 Ford
Crestline Sunliner convertible coupe, which is possibly the nicest
example this automotive starstruck writer has laid eyes on as it
was restored, has won an AACA Jr and Sr National in 2022 and is
still looking fresh out of the shop today. Striking special order
white paint, a flawless 2 tone interior, and some rarities added on
all come together to make this a true best of the best showing in
our Hallowed Halls...Gentlemen Start Your Engines!!!
Exterior
A near perfect application of factory and Pace Car correct Sungate
Ivory covers the straight steel panels of the lower sections of
this car that have well minded gaps, and a mirror like shine. A
correct white canvas convertible top is reserved for the roof and
like the rest of the car, shows as near flawless with a clear
plastic rear window. From its neatly designed big 1950's front
grille with reflections so deep I could shave my 5 o'clock shadow
with ease, to the big side trim spear that starts at the headlights
and goes to the back of the forward door, then gets picked up again
on the back at the fender bump out with an angled ribbed larger
panel that turns into a spear off the center and a metal bump out
at the top edge of the "wing" perfectly highlighting the Pace Car
correct small fender skirts. This literally looks like you're
looking skyward at the underside of a flying jet complete with
chrome contrail. We note incorrect Customline badging within the
front trim spears, as this car should have Crestline trim in its
place. Plenty of chrome trimmings for the window surrounds and a
single round tail light with a wide chrome bezel and small chromed
center rest on the end of the fender which has rounded tops to meet
the taillights. A Coronado continental kit in Sungate Ivory and
chrome graces the area between these lights and down low is another
ultra shiny rear bumper with twin upright guards. A chrome piece of
note is the very rare and not oft seen crossed flags around the
gold Ford crest fender emblems. Anniversary Gold 15-inch steel
wheels with FORD badged polished caps are wrapped in wide white
bias ply tires on all 4 corners. The flowing lines and chrome
overload is what truly sets the whole package off in this writer's
humble opinion.
Interior
The door panels utilize a myriad of materials from smooth
Pearlescent White vinyl to smooth black vinyl to smooth gold vinyl
and even some Anniversary Gold painted metal, which all work
together to form the door panels. Lest we forget the mirror-like
chrome trimmings and Anniversary Gold padded armrest dressing these
doors which add to the early 50's charm. Wide long benches, with
the front being a split, are the passengers seating front and rear,
and are covered with wide tuck and roll Pearlescent White inserts,
smooth white vinyl uppers with Anniversary Gold upper accenting all
within a gold tub. Some light wrinkling of the vinyl is noted on
the upper front seats, but these do not detract from the charming
warmth these seats provide. An Anniversary Gold steel full metal
jacket dash and original instrumentation are seen inside. The
horseshoe speedometer and gauge cluster are in front of the large
black 50th anniversary badged original steering wheel with its half
chrome ring horn actuator. A chrome trimmed radio and temp controls
are noted on this dash and a centrally located clock in a small
circular bump up is in the top dead center of this dash. A pair of
correct Anniversary Gold sun visors dress the beginnings of the
wrap-around windshield and look just fab. Gold carpeting, cleaner
than clean, floats this interior and now I am in true early 50's
heaven.
Drivetrain
Powered by the 239ci flathead V8 and 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic
column mounted shifter, this combo provides 110hp. There is a
2-barrel carburetor atop, and way in the back is the rear axle
weighing in with a 3.31 ratio. Overall condition of the engine bay
can best be described as factory fresh with the orange painted
block, heads, and intake providing the perfect contrast to the
black bay. We note power steering is on to make the drive that much
easier.
Undercarriage
With some light patina and rust and very few flaws for the bottom
side of this show winner we are back in 1953 all over again. A
strong black frame provides the backbone for the undercoated black
floors and rockers. More black is covering the suspension which has
independent coil springs for the front and leaf springs for the
rear, and we note drum brakes on all 4 corners. A like new dual
exhaust system with stock style mufflers is on for spent fossil
removal. Just a flawlessly executed restoration down below.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and good driver with a smooth acceleration and the
transmission shifted nicely. A real trip back in time with a good
overall ride and I swear I caught a glimpse of Vukovich,
Agabashian, and Rathmann bearing down on me in the rear view
mirror. Daydreams aside, my time behind the wheel was wonderfully
spent with only the clock not keeping time, the high beam switch
being stuck in the low position and a notable pull to the right was
experienced when braking.
A great opportunity to own a truly stunning and rare 50's classic.
Despite the production numbers, only about 25 are known to the Pace
Car Register, and as such, the opportunity to acquire a 1953 Ford
Pace Car does not occur often. So clearly there's nothing left for
you to do but write the check and turn the key then chug your
bottle of milk...after the check clears of course.
B3CC128294
B-239ci V8 110hp 2bbl
3-1953
C-Chester, PA Assy Plant
C-Crestline Sunliner
128294-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BOD...for more information please contact the seller.
