Many small base 4-barrels were used in the early 50's. They were on Cadillacs, Olds, Buicks, Packards, all Chrysler products, and don't forget the Mercs and Lincolns. Most were Carter WCFB's with a few Rochester 4GC's thrown in. I currently use a 52 Cad WCFB on my 292 with good results. Want to stay more traditional to FOMOCO I purchased a used WCFB off a Lincoln 317" and am having it restored for $150 in Lynwood Ca. at a carb shop with really understands these old carbs. They did my original teaport which is which is stored with the stock distributor in case I want to go original again.
If you chose a "newer" carb remember to replace the distributor with a 57 or newer which uses both vacuum and weights for advance. This is the one thing I need to check before I install the Lincoln WCFB, not sure on the vacuum port. The Lincoln and Merc WCFB's had a different way of actuating the back barrels and I want that look so the Caddy will come off.
One more thing: If your into the stock look and want to use the big Ford air cleaner you need to be pretty clever. The Holleys have a bigger top seal than the earlier other carbs and the others are higher so the stock air cleaner will not work and are too high with an adapter (approx 5" to 7 " ring) and hit the hood. With my change I was able to get and use an extra Ford air unit and I can send pictures if you want to do this. If you go to a later/modern Holley or Carter AFB you might be able to use a 57/up air cleaner as they were flatter and were stock with the 7" top seal............Good Luck
56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.