Warren

Most of what you write is correct.

We did not get any 9" diffs in our Customlines. The first 9" was in the 1959 Fairlane, similar to the US model, we called them a Tank Fairlane and kept this model for 1960 with a modified grille.

Our 1956 was very similar to the US model. The '57 was basically our '56 with a different grille, unlike any other in production. Had a big V8 badge and a bonnet emblem off a '55 Meteor. for some weird reason we kept the '55 dash for both thes years.

Our '58 Star model used the Canadian '55 Meteor Rideau grille with '56 Meteor Rideau side stripes. The '58 used a dash similar to a US '56 but used Smiths' 12 volt gauges and speedo.

Just thought I would set it straight.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

And this is the 55 meteor.

yyy

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Generally were copied from 55 and 56 meteors, star in grill was vastly downsized.

yyy

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Snowcone,

I think you're right on most of what you have written.  We used (Imported) Canadian cars. 56 was the last model that was the same as the American models. 57-59 was a sort of change over period where Ford Australia was being set up to build locally produced Falcons. From what I understand 57 and later were 56 bodies the 57 the same as 56. Our 58-59 were as you pointed out used Canadian Meteors front clip.

There are some differences our 56-57 uses a US style 55 dash. I'm not sure of the front suspension but we followed suit and 57-59 got 9" rears like US and Canada.

Mainlines in Australia are Utes and are a Australia only body. Ford Australia was making Utes from the 30's. In 57 the Yanks got a ute called a Ranchero based on their body styling.

Cheers

Warren 

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

A few guys here might correct me if I am wrong but I beleive we were about 2 years behind the US with the models.

The majority of parts for our cars came out of Canada.

The 58 and 59 (last model made) here were called the Star model which the USA never got.

The Star grill was "borrowed" from another Canadian model which I think was the Meteor, but I could be wrong.



In any case I have a Star model which is exactly the model I was after

Gary - 1958 Star Customline and 1940 Ford Deluxe Hotrod

Congratulations on your new project!  Does a '58 Customline Australia look like a US model?  A '58 Ford station wagon was assigned by my dad to be my first driver.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

G'day Garry,

There's a wealth of knowledghe here and a few of us are from Australia.

Cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Just take your time. We'll be waiting for it. Welcome to the sites also from up here North.

 Seppo from Järvenpää, Finland
www.hollowheads.net (just click the hole in the head to proceed)

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I can't wait until I get this engine and tranny back together so I can put the front end back on and have a complete car

Gary - 1958 Star Customline and 1940 Ford Deluxe Hotrod

Tim you spelt kalifornia wrong just as well i checked your card or this years christmas card could have ende up anywhere haha

Hi Gary welcome to the site im in geelong ive got a 58 star customline & 59 star mainline

moz. geelong victoria australia.

graduate 1980, bus, truck, car, hot rod, boat, submarine, hovercraft, hydrafoil, firetruck, mobile home, jet, helicopter, cruise ship, motorcycle, bicycle, santa's sleigh, clock, alloy bullbar, alloy fuel tank, lens, dr who's tardis, matter - anti matter warp drive buffer & y-block lover