$9,500
The Ford Crestline was a full-size car built by Ford from 1952 to 1954. The Crestline was the top trim level of the 1952 Ford model range, above the mid-level Ford Customline and base level Mainline. The car had three body styles, the four-door hardtop Victoria, two-door convertible Sunliner, and four-door station wagon Country Squire. After its short production-run, the Crestline was replaced by the Ford Fairlane in 1955.
The Ford Crestline was a full-size car built by Ford from 1952 to 1954. The Crestline was the top trim level of the 1952 Ford model range, above the mid-level Ford Customline and base level Mainline. The car had three body styles, the four-door hardtop Victoria, two-door convertible Sunliner, and four-door station wagon Country Squire. After its short production-run, the Crestline was replaced by the Ford Fairlane in 1955.
This Crestline is noted as having a V8 motor with an oil bath cleaner mated to a 3-speed column-shifter manual, a stock style engine bay, and no added modifications aside from plug wires. In 1953, power-assist brakes and power steering both became available on the Ford after previously only being available on Mercury and Lincoln vehicles. In 1954, an extra half-inch of length was added to the wheelbase, and ball-joint front suspension was adopted in an effort to improve handling.
This Crestline is finished in medium blue, and the car’s exterior appears to have been completely stripped, restored, and repainted. The panel gaps are all smooth and it has been noted that the hood, trunk, and all doors open and close properly. The passenger door does have a couple small dings. The chrome around the car was removed for the repaint and shows nicely. Seals on the doors and around the body are newer and fit nicely. The white wall tires themselves are in good condition although they would benefit from a deep scrubbing, the hubcaps at all four corners are neat and tidy.
The interior to this Crestline is stock but has been fully restored. Upholstery is done in excellent fashion. The “flight-style” instrument cluster is tidy as are all the gauges within. The black Bakelite steering wheel is clean as is the engine turned dashboard. The door panels are tight just like the bench seat up front. Done primarily with white leather and surrounded by blue, the bench shows no holes or tears whatsoever, even creases are hard to spot in these seats. The metal dash pad up top is free of scratches and cracks as well. Overall, this Crestline’s cabin looks like a very enjoyable place to spend one’s time.
Although the car was restored, it was not a frame-off restoration. That being said, the frame is solid. There is a minor amount of surface corrosion, but nothing on the car comes close to actively decaying. Floorboards are in good shape, and the suspension components are mostly stock with some newer pieces sprinkled in.
The seller’s father purchased this Crestline in the early 2000’s. The car’s restoration occurred prior the seller’s family’s acquisition, and thus the extent of the restoration and everything that was done is somewhat of a mystery. Regardless, the seller put new tires on the vehicle, and also had a new gas tank installed as well. The car starts right up just as it did when it rolled off the assembly line. The seller has also located a faux matching blue continental kit that will be included with the car. The kit was an option back in the day that would make the car appear as if there was a rear tire mounted on the outside of the trunk, an option that was normally found only on more expensive cars of the time.
The Ford Crestline is lost in time due to its relatively short production run, but that’s not the fault of the Crestline itself. Planned obsolescence was a terrible system used by every major marque during the 50s, and it cut short the life of both great cars and great designs constantly in the quest to always have something new. However, the Crestline is a wonderful looking four-door, and today’s example was excellently restored back to great condition.
The Market by Bonhams is excited to offer this Ford Crestline for online auction with no reserve, and an estimate between $16,000 and $22,000.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BIDDERS:
All cars from the Southern Gem Collection must be paid in full within 48 hours and collected within two weeks of auction end. Collection must be done with a flatbed or trailer and is strictly by appointment only. In the event a car is not removed timely the owner reserves the right to remove the car to storage at the Buyer’s risk and expense, whereupon the Buyer shall become liable for uplift, removal, storage and handling charges.
