I had a problem for a while with reversion with my through bumper exhaust but a new trunk lid seal cured it. 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Good question, Reverend. I thought about buying the dog dish with the cream colored center but didn’t know how that would look with the two tone green. I don’t see the all chrome version that I bought very often - seems less common. The car had the full size hubcaps when I got them, maybe that was standard for ‘56. I didn’t like that look much.

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

Did Parklanes come with those '57 caps?
Wagon looks great!

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Thanks for the comments and concerns. I’ve yet to spend serious time driving this car and will be attentive to the exhaust situation. I intentionally swapped out the bumper without understanding there may be consequences. I like the look, but clearly not worth harm. If I need to change it out I will.

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

Since the 56 Parklane does not have a roll or electric rear window and I’ve never seen anyone drive around with one up I wouldn’t worry too much about the exhaust. I’ve also noticed the bumper tips do not get sooty black like they did in 56. Must be the fuel today. Personally I drive with the to air ducts partially open for air flow in my 56.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Looks good.  But you should take possible exhaust reversion, - exhaust coming in through the back window when on the road.  That is why Ford and other makes did not bring the exhaust pipe to the rear of the car.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Hi all,

I thought I should finish this story. I bought wheels from Coker (wheel vintiques had a several week wait). I bought 6” rims for the front with a 3.75” backspace and 7” rims for the back with a 4.5” backspace. Tires are BF Goodrich radial T/A’s - 215/60/15 front and 235/60/15 back. No mounting issues in the back but it’s a little close to the fender rim. I haven’t driven it much with the new setup so I don’t know if there is an issue with body roll. I had my local mechanic help with measuring.

Powder coating at Coker was a long wait, so I bought primed wheels and had them matched to the dark green exterior by a local body shop A set of gently used dog dish hubcaps on eBay and trim rings from Coker. Here are some pics.






MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN

I used American racing Torque Thrust VN 105 15x6 on my 56 Victoria. 205’s on the front and 215’s on the rear. No problem with clearances when stock with the bumper exhaust. Also no problems occurring with an installation of Wilwood front discs and an Explorer 8.8 rear with F 150 11” drums.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

These postings touch on  clearance issues at the rear with non std wheels & tire sizes. Some of the trouble is due to Shocks that are not long enough.. Apparently, some shock listings for mid 50s Fords are "fudging" their fit. On my 57 car, I had to insert extra washers on the shock ends to ensure clearance for a tire change & my car has std wheels & 205 x 75s..      


Paul

Thanks for all of the tips. I will check out wheelsmith; I am also going to check out wheel vintiques - I like the idea of talking through this with a real human at one of these places.

MplsMike
'56 Parklane
Minneapolis, MN