Ford Mainline
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The Ford Mainline was a car available from 1952 to 1959. It was the base model below the Customline and the Fairlane.
The Australian built four-door model was based on the American-built Crown Victoria Fairlane, built from 1953 to 1959 and called it an A CUSTOMLINE. This was the Ford flagship and its motor was a 272-292 Y block V8 with optional three-speed automatic or manual gearbox. This made the vehicle very popular for farmers and business people, as it was a large six seater offering luxurious appointments. This included leather bench seats, a powerful motor, and towing capabilities. Apparently some (who? this needs referencing) describing a ride in a customline as similar to being in a luxury armchair, floating down the road.
The new model, 1955-1959, was a large car measuring 6 metres long and incorporated the 55 -56 style front body panels from Canada and USA. It utilised the Thunderbird's guards, rear quarters & tail-lights.
The grille underwent cosmetic changes. This incorporated a grille similar to the USA 55 grille, with two circular, clear indicators, mid-way on either side. The years 1956-1957 saw wrap-around indicator lenses, with the same body panels and different side mouldings. The years 1958-1959 saw the most popular styling in the home grown sedan, using a combination of Niagra and USA 55 grille styles. Then came the large chrome star with the V8 chrome emblem in the centre of the grille. This had the same indicators as the 1955 model. This was known locally as "the star model", due to its new grille design. Other changes saw a Z flash moulding on the side, and a three speed automatic, called Fordomatic. The interior had a retro, fifties-style jukebox-looking speedo dashboard, with an AM radio, heater, clock and other gauges. This model was the Rolls Royce of the Ford fleet at the time.
In its later years, the Customline was a sought after vehicle on the used car market, due to its two ton weight and displacement. It was a favourite with big families, and at demolition car derbys where brute force ruled. The V8 272 motor was sought by boat enthusiasts, as the perfect inboard boat motor.
Customlines are now highly collectible vehicles, with very few remaining intact. As in the past, many have been customised, incorporating larger engine changes. This is a favourite activity amongst "hotrodders" Australia-wide.
A favourite remains the 1958-1959 "STAR MODEL". With its signature 9" chrome star emblazzoned in the centre of the shining chrome grille, with a large "V" supporting the star. The Customline later became the predessor to the "Barge", the 1960s Ford Fairlane.
In Australia was also built a single cab utility, based on the 1950s Fairlane. This was built from 1953 to 1959 and was called the Mainline ute (UTILITY). Its motor was a 272 Y block V8, which made this vehicle suitable, and very popular, for farmers and tradesman for hauling heavy loads. At the time it was the most powerful ute on the local Australian market, with GM Holden offering a fe-fc- 6-cylinder and from Chrysler, the 6-cylinder Wayfarer Royal.
The Mainline ute's styling changed from 1951-1954.
1952 Mainline / Customline 6 1952 - 54 Customline 239ci V8cyl 1954 256ci V8cyl
1955 - 56 Customline Main 272ci 8cyl Y block v8 1955 - 56
Customline Main 272ci y block 8cyl
1957 - 1959 Customline/mainline ute
292ci y block V8cyl1958 -1959 .. star model sedan/mainline ute
1959 - 61 Custom "barge" fairlane 300-500 custom
Fairlane 332ci V8cyl
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