Certainly not trying to sabotage this great group, but despite having owned 3 various 57 Fords before muscle cars and drag racing consumed all my car time (and $$$$), I thought I should finally show my 59 to the group. My very first car was a 59 station wagon in the early 70s, and it seems that as one gets older, first car memories return. I bought this 1959 Meteor Niagara 300 Tudor sedan from a good buddy in 2002, as a rough, but running and drivable project, in 2002. It was mechanically functioning, but very tired, 332 FE V8 , 2 speed FordOMatic, with manual steering and brakes. For those unfamiliar with Meteors, they were a Canadian model, based on a Ford, and sold through Mercury dealers, from 1949 thru 1961. In 1962, Ford came out with the new intermediate size Fairlane, along with the Mercury equivalent, called the Meteor. Since the US Meteor was available in both the USA and Canada, the Canadian Meteor was discontinued. After Ford dropped the Meteor nameplate at the end of 1963, the Canadian Meteor was reborn for 1964, but new based on a full sized Mercury platform, although the Meteor used a Ford dashboard, and after 64, a Ford roof as well. For the most part, the 49 thru 61 Meteors were essentially a Ford with a unique grill, and depending on the model year, different side trim and ornamentation. Since my favourite 57 Fords tended to be the "low line" Custom short wheelbase series, I decided that I would build my 59 maintaining its "cheapo" image, but with more power, in the sleeper style. Thus the dog dish hubcaps, on steel wheels, but with a warmed over 428 Cobra Jet engine and Toploader 4 speed. Kinda like one of my old 1969 Fairlane Cobras, but in a 10 year older platform. I hope that I will finally be able to start driving it later this month, and make a few passes down the dragstrip before winter
A few more shots
Another view
Engine shot, still a few bits and pieces before it runs
275/60R15's on 15x8" steelies
great looking car.........keep us updated on your maiden voyage! HAha...I wonder where the heck you guys keep finding these 427/428's!
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2020-07-04 20:46
great looking car.........keep us updated on your maiden voyage! HAha...I wonder where the heck you guys keep finding these 427/428's!
Since I have been drag racing since the mid 70s, and the vast majority have ben FEs, I have aquired quite a few 428 s over the years. This particular 428CJ is one that I bought over 30 years ago, its still standard bore with the original "428 Super" pistons, and standard 1UB crank , these Cobra Jet heads I bought in 1975. After having a bunch of FE stuff stored in the garage al these years, I may as well enjoy it, rather than save it for somebody to buy from my widow, once I croak. I have been thinning out some of the excess FE stuff this year, since I recently moved, but I should have enough left to tide me over in my retirement, unless somebody wants it really bad!
Nice car. I like the look with the steelies.
Thanks for posting, enjoying these pics. This car will be a runner!
By the way, what are the sizes of your front tires and wheels?
Beautiful car! Reminded me of a friend who had a '59 Ford, same color blue (maybe) no tutone. He and his dad pulled the 6 and put in a 390/ Fordomatic. Inspired me to put a 390 in my Fairlane which grew to a 428.
Quote from: fdlrc on 2020-07-05 07:48
Thanks for posting, enjoying these pics. This car will be a runner!
By the way, what are the sizes of your front tires and wheels?
215/70R15 BF Goodrich T/A radials on 15x6 Wheel Vintique Series 61 steel wheels, which work with the factory "dog dish" hubcaps.
Sharp looking ride. Love that blue/white mix. Summer will be sweet in that ride. :003:
A 428CJ in front of a toploader? Man you a speaken my language!
Very nice ride ! WOW !
the Meteor frontend and grille insert sure do look good ! Great to hear that this is going to get driven. :004:
59meteor.... your car is so beautiful.. and I despise clicking on little pics... :003:
Truly awesome man.
and FE Power.... Outstanding. :burnout:
(https://i.imgur.com/icEQ4nx.jpg)
Very nice ride, and who doesn't like FE power.... (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/rolleye/rolleye0002.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net)
Rory, very nice, like it just rolled off the Oakville assembly line. Did you ever find anyone to do the interior?
Quote from: rmk57 on 2020-07-06 11:41
Rory, very nice, like it just rolled off the Oakville assembly line. Did you ever find anyone to do the interior?
Not anybody that can get to it anytime soon, for less than $4000. Is that really what a basic interior goes for these days?
Quote from: 59meteor on 2020-07-06 13:27
Not anybody that can get to it anytime soon, for less than $4000. Is that really what a basic interior goes for these days?
I paid $2k for the interior of my '88 Saleen in '05...and that was just for the seats...a heck of a lot less material/time for that job. So yea...$4k is probably about right now.
$6500 and up with more than 1-1/2 year waiting list.
I paid $1200 for my front bench seat to be redone. 3 different fabrics. Half the seatback springs were broken, so he rebuilt that as well.
My back bench seat is good enough....
Well, after 18 years, finally put insurance on my 59 Meteor today and took it for 90 miles worth of shakedown run. Ran great, drive pretty well, gotta day it felt good to be behind the wheel of a 50s Ford once again after many years.
She looks Awesome! Congrats on a job well done.
I know the feeling of being behind the wheel, it's awesome. Especially in your case, after eighteen years, way to go!
You came to mind the other day when I watched "Once Upon A Day In Hollywood", where one of the classic cars featured is a 59 Ford.
Quote from: 59meteor on 2020-07-26 03:08
Well, after 18 years, finally put insurance on my 59 Meteor today and took it for 90 miles worth of shakedown run. Ran great, drive pretty well, gotta day it felt good to be behind the wheel of a 50s Ford once again after many years.
Beautiful car!!! Bet it is going to be hard to NOT drive every day! "Hey honey...do we need anything from the store? I'll go!!! :003: " LOL!!!
Congrats!! looks great. After sitting for 5 years, mine took another 10 1/2 to build, so I know how good it feels to get it on the road after a loooong time......90 miles= 90 smiles!
Perfect stance. that 59 is tough.
Looks awesome RM, let's get out and hunt down some guys with the distributors close to the wipers.
:canada:
Terry, are there any parking lot meets in Abby soon? I know there was something at the Langley Army&Navy parking lot last week.
Friday nights at the new KMS beside Costco. Let me know and I will take ol' Rowdy for a carbon cleaning.
Terry
:canada:
Sounds good, Terry. Where is the new KMS? I had only been to the old one on South Fraser Way. Maybe we could get John to bring one of his 57s, not sure Randy would want to drive all the way from North Vancouver with his Custom.
It is down Sumas Way, almost to the Huntingdon Border crossing, next to Costco, Lowe's, Tim Hortons.
There was a Meteor warning in Aldergrove today! :canada:
Terry, what time should I meet you there Friday night? Gotta clean up the mess from the heater core that puked its contents all over the floor this afternoon.
Starts at 6, anytime works for me, we can meet at my place or at KMS.
John, Randy or whoever is in the lower mainland can join.
:canada:
Sorry, I cant go. It's my daughters 21st birthday and were going out for some beverages. But do take some pics and post them up. Rory, the rear shot of your car looks fantastic.
Thanks everyone, feels good to finally be able to drive it after all these years. Terry, I will meet you at KMS tomorrow evening.
Look forward to seeing/hearing your beast, I will try to save you a spot next to me.
They have a BBQ by donation, Tim's/Wendy's is across the parking lot, see you there.
T :canada:
Quote from: FiveSevenLiter on 2020-07-29 19:25
It is down Sumas Way, almost to the Huntingdon Border crossing, next to Costco, Lowe's, Tim Hortons.
There was a Meteor warning in Aldergrove today! :canada:
Great picture of my rare right hand drive Meteor
John :canada: