I was reading Eickman's Ford Y-Block Book today and discovered that there was a 256 cubic inch, 160 horsepower, 4 barrel, dual exhaust Police Interceptor option available in '54. It was apparently basicly a Merc engine installed in a Ford. Anybody ever actualy seen one? I am just curious how one of these in a light weight Mainline two door sedan would have compared to the Olds and Cads and Chryslers of the day? I know my '53 Ford Flathead V8 could not keep up with the Chevy and Dodge 6's of the day.

There is one locally which makes fairly regular calls at the car shows and other events.  It is fully decked out in black and white original color scheme, original siren on top, kind of neat.  Too bad it doesnt get more attention and respect.

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.

Wish you were closer. Would love to take a good look at that one. I love the odball stuff. You should see some of the Stevens Single Shot rifles I have. And there is my E engined D T-Bird and Shelby engined "beater" '65 Mustang Coupe.

The cop car owner has a convenience store in a small place called Obrien, OR.  The store is about all there is to mark the "town", and is on Highway 99 just north of CA.  He keeps the car parked close to and facing the highway.  It serves to slow down speeding traffic, even being almost 60 years old.  If Obrien, OR is put into Google Earth, there is a fair chance it will show the black and white.

Woops, we have two of this vintage running around.  The one in Obrien is a Plymouth(?), and is marked on Google Earth, including picture.  The '54 Interceptor is owned by someone else around here.

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.

I think Racer Brown did a lot of work on a 54 when new to increase power. Not sure if he started with a 239 or 256. Was that in an article JC put in Y-Block Mag recently? The memory is fading faster than the hair color.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Obrien,+OR&hl=en&ll=42.066973,-123.703421&spn=0.001969,0.004128&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=O%27Brien,+Josephine,+Oregon&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=42.066962,-123.703444&panoid=0IzNTZ4GJcbxnBZGKA5WsQ&cbp=12,287.07,,0,2.67

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

I am still curious as to how they ran with the competition back in the day. I have first hand knowledge that the 292's and 312's were competitive with the Chevy's and Chrysler products of the day. My "53 Ford flathead with over drive was not as fast as the comtetiton of the day, 

If your 53 V-8 couldn't keep up with a Dodge six in "the day" your car had some tuning or other problems..

Paul

I could beat the Dodge quarter mile but not top end. At 17 my tuning abilities and budget was limited.

I just learned that that engine was at one point intended to be used in the 55 T-birds.  Didn't happen of course but according to an April 54 ad in a magazine titled "Automotive Topics"  (as reprinted in the March-April Early Bird----the publication of the Classic Thunderbird Club International) that was the plan.  As to how competitive it was on the track, it seems that 160 hp wouldn't really burn up the track, but then again it was used in Mercurys, Police cars and considered for the T-bird, so maybe quicker than I'd think.