Don'tcha' wish they'd just STOP 'Improving' things?

[ovrszd]

I restored a 1956 Ford Victoria back in the mid 70s. Not a Crown. Not a Glass top. Same color as the one in these pics.

Posting this to display the "Glass Top" option that Ford offered. Started in 1954 I believe. Not sure how long it was offered past 1956 if it was.

I sold my '56 when I was poor trying to raise a family. Sold it for $600. Wish I had it now......

1956 Ford Crown Victoria Glass Top | F155 | Monterey 212

 

[Oaktree]

I remember the ones in the footwells that opened a path from the fenders behind the front tires. And the side tilt windows.

I miss the floor vents in cars. Great for the cool but sunny days when you didn't want the wind noise from opening windows. I don't really like AC all that much.

I never thought the vent windows did much, though I suppose it did help if a smoker was riding with you. Very few of my friends smoked even 50 years ago, and smoking was not something I ever allowed in my vehicles or home.

 

[tallyho8]

We always called the small door windows that opened “bird windows” because they never sealed properly once opened and wind whistling through the closed window sounded like a bird tweeting. The last vehicle I have with them ls my 1995 Ford F-250 xlt 7.3 diesel.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Here they were called 'quarter vents'

We called them "Wing Wings". They had a fancy little aftermarket attachment that directed the air into your lap. Don't know what they called them, but my Dad called them ball coolers.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I restored a 1956 Ford Victoria back in the mid 70s. Not a Crown. Not a Glass top. Same color as the one in these pics.

Posting this to display the "Glass Top" option that Ford offered. Started in 1954 I believe. Not sure how long it was offered past 1956 if it was.

I sold my '56 when I was poor trying to raise a family. Sold it for $600. Wish I had it now......

1956 Ford Crown Victoria Glass Top | F155 | Monterey 212

Weren't they called "Skyliners"? There was a "Sunliner", which was a convertible, and a "Starliner", which I forget what it was. I have a friend who had a 1956 (non crown) Victoria when he was young, and has one now in the process of restoration. It's my opinion that was one of the most attractive Fords ever made...the '56 station wagon was a close second. In fact, all of the '55 - '56 Fords were great, including the '55-'57 T Birds.

 

[ovrszd]

Weren't they called "Skyliners"? There was a "Sunliner", which was a convertible, and a "Starliner", which I forget what it was. I have a friend who had a 1956 (non crown) Victoria when he was young, and has one now in the process of restoration. It's my opinion that was one of the most attractive Fords ever made...the '56 station wagon was a close second. In fact, all of the '55 - '56 Fords were great, including the '55-'57 T Birds.

I remember the Skyliner name but don't recall how it was applied.

My 56 had the 4BBL carb 312 V8, auto trans, power seat which was rare. It was a pleasure to drive. Got a lot of comments. Sure hated selling it. Previously I had a '54 2dr sedan. It was an okay car but didn't have the charisma of the '56.

 

[JethroB]

I remember getting a face full of dust and dirt swirling around when we opened the floor vents at much speed. This from the dirty floorboard, not from outside. We called the little side windows Vent Windows. They were useful for unlocking the door with a coat hanger if not latched.

 

[k0ua]

I remember getting a face full of dust and dirt swirling around when we opened the floor vents at much speed. This from the dirty floorboard, not from outside. We called the little side windows Vent Windows. They were useful for unlocking the door with a coat hanger if not latched.

That is how I remember both also. I was glad to see them both go bye bye. And yes there are the little matters of the hard shelled bugs and bee's that the wing windows angled in and shot you in the face or chest. And there was a bird once too.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Nothing quite like taking off your shoes on a long hot trip and pulling on those vent cables. Show me just one modern vehicle that can direct any significant amount of air (hot or cold) at your feet.

 

[Oaktree]

I remember the Skyliner name but don't recall how it was applied.

Wasn't the Skyliner kind of a hard top convertible, where the roof was rigid (ie-not fabric) but it stowed in the trunk? ISTR a grade school friend's parents having one...it was a late 50s model if I'm not mistaken.

 

[ovrszd]

Wasn't the Skyliner kind of a hard top convertible, where the roof was rigid (ie-not fabric) but it stowed in the trunk? ISTR a grade school friend's parents having one...it was a late 50s model if I'm not mistaken.

I remember those as "Retractable Hardtop". Classic example is the '58 Ford.

 

[ovrszd]

That one also has the "Continental Kit" option.

 

[bunyip]

The wing windows or the feet vents?

wing windows

 

[tallyho8]

I had a 1958 Ford Skyliner that I loved but it was in sad condition when I got it. One of the best parts was the large trunk that opened backwards. We could easily sneak 3 people into the drive in in the trunk and then just raise the electric trunk lid a little bit and they could climb into the back seat through the missing back window and then we could put the top down.

They were only made in 1957,58 and 59. In 1960 when Ford switched from square bodies to round bodies, the hardtop design just would not work.

In one of the first James Bond movies they drove a fine looking 1957 one that I would have loved to own over a cliff.

 

[tallyho8]

I had a 1958 Ford Skyliner that I loved but it was in sad condition when I got it. One of the best parts was the large trunk that opened backwards. We could easily sneak 3 people into the drive in in the trunk and then just raise the electric trunk lid a little bit and they could climb into the back seat through the missing back window and then we could put the top down.

They were only made in 1957,58 and 59. In 1960 when Ford switched from square bodies to round bodies, the hardtop design just would not work.

In one of the first James Bond movies they drove a fine looking 1957 one that I would have loved to own over a cliff.

 

[Oaktree]

I had a 1958 Ford Skyliner that I loved but it was in sad condition when I got it. One of the best parts was the large trunk that opened backwards.

ISTR the hoods on those late 50s Fords also opened backwards, ie-the hinges were at the front. First car I'd ever seen with an inside hood release.

 

[ovrszd]

The retractable hardtop versions were also heavy due to all the mechanics involved in the top design and function.

It's my opinion that all the car makers lost style in the 60s. Never to be regained. '70s were hideous. Might as well throw the '80s in there too.....

 

[Oaktree]

It's my opinion that all the car makers lost style in the 60s. Never to be regained. '70s were hideous. Might as well throw the '80s in there too.....

In retrospect, 70s & 80s cars don't look too bad, at least you can see out of them and they don't have the stupid consoles that do nothing but take up space.
Can't think of anything made this century that isn't ugly.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Ditto on the stupid consoles! People like to pretend they are in a cockpit I guess.

I remember in the late 80s, my Dad complaining that all the passenger cars were pancake like.

Now you get in someones new car and don't know what to say. You can't very well say, yup, another PLASTIC sheit box!

Then you see their new house and it has all the creature comforts of a gymnasium.

 

[ovrszd]

In retrospect, 70s & 80s cars don't look too bad, at least you can see out of them and they don't have the stupid consoles that do nothing but take up space.
Can't think of anything made this century that isn't ugly.

Oh now, let's not go that far.

1968/2020