I was going to do another song but then I was like we gotta hit some Chicago.. we’re gonna have one more week of craziness and then we’re going to get to a set schedule it might be a double feature day every now and then one video be posted in the morning do you in the evening will be the main attraction will be posted as it’s looking now sometime in the evening.. what do you have time to change I’m gonna put a date on the community pole.. I have a really awesome sis verses that coming out I don’t think these two cars I’ve ever been compared except for maybe in a song which inspired this to take place I’m going to do that tomorrow already shot the video I wanna see if it’s possible to receive two cars and see what the outcome is like first one to 60 nothing illegal.. like even if I just got footage of that it would be epic because you never see these two cars together at the same time and I’ll never get this opportunity again.. guess it yet =)
When I first ran across your videos I was somewhat skeptical to say the least. But following you anyway I feel compelled to acknowledge that you're gaining knowledge and perspective concerning every video that you make. You're doing a good job.
A small handfull of issues: 1. The Ford came stock with a column shifter. Changing the shifter changes the driving experience. 2. I have never driven a 1955 Ford, but I have driven a 1954 and a 1957. The accelerator linkages were linear. The 1954 was hinged at the bottom which was a bit odd but the 1957 was hung from the dashboard like a modern car. I think the hot rodding of that car is to blame again. 3. Not fair dinging the Ford for the missing hood ornament, it came with one. Hot rodding takes its toll again. 4. The key location on the ford is awful! I broke a finger years ago while starting a 1952 Ford while the door was open, but slammed on my finger. 5. The Ford wins hands down on comfort because it is a 2 door, not a hardtop coupe. This is the pillar issue. The Victoria would not have fared as well. This is the reason for the framed out windows on the Chevy. They had to increase the contact area for the weather stripping to avoid leaks. 6. The Chevy interior is years ahead of the Ford! It is just a better execution. 7. Ford's build quality was at least adequate in 1955. Chevy was well documented to have horrible build quality. The restoration corrected tis issue. 8. 1955 was the first year of the Chevy small block OHV V8. It was the second year of the Ford Y Block OHV V8. 9. Had you compared to a Plymouth or Dodge of the same vintage, the Dodge would have paled by comparison. Chrysler was 5 years behind the competition in 1955. They caught up in 1957 (but talk about bad build quality). 10. Wrap around windshields are wonderful. They are also heavy and expensive. I think that's the real reason they went away. I daily drove a 1955 Cadillac through most of the 1980's. Loved the windshield! 11. Has the Ford been lowered? My memory is that the Ford was a couple of inches taller than the Chevy. Don't see that in your video. 12. Yes that is the correct exterior mirror for the Ford People say the Ford was less stylish than the Chevy from 1955-1957 time period. I think it holds its own pretty well.
I really can't accept your remark about Chrysler cars being 5 years behind the competition in 1955; in '53 & '54 - yes, probably, but in '55 - I think they were on par in most aspects and ahead of the time in at least some. Styling was at least on par with Ford (in fact, '55 Plymouth looked like a smaller version of '56 Lincoln - more so than '55-56 Ford), and usually more modern looking than comparable GM brands - e.g., Plymouth vs. Chevy, Oldsmobile vs DeSoto, etc. Hemi & Poly V8s were at least as good as the competition, or better - only the flathead six was lagging behind, but it was an economy choice, and a very simple, robust & reliable engine compared to OHV sixes used for the same purpose by the competition - with roughly the same kind of horsepower. PowerFlite was no worse than competition, as Chevy also used 2-speed Powerglide (of an inferior design), and Fordomatic, which was in theory a 3-speed, started in 2nd gear while in D, making it effectively a 2-speed with an abnormally high "first" gear. True, chassis was a bit dated - with king pins up front (most if not all GM cars still used them as well), but still reportedly handled better than competition, or at least as well as. Used a 6 V electrical system - just as Ford did in '55. And when did Ford & GM switch to electric wipers, remind me ? 1959 ? 1960 ?.. Well, Chryslers have had them since before the war. Brakes were better than most; and Chrysler's "full-time" power steering was infinitely better than "hydraulic ram" style add-on PS used by Ford & GM for the cheaper cars until probably 1970s. Can talk about it forever, but I guess you've got my point already )
Funny how the Y-Block had more displacement and power versus the Chevrolet V8 offerings in those early years, yet the SBC had room to grow and became a legend while the Y-Block died in the US market in cars in 1962 and trucks in 1964. The Y-Block was competitive in it’s day but is not totally irrelevant to most hot rodders and enthusiasts. I do love the mid-50’s cars…all of them!
The Y-block was heavy, and had some design flaws that made it notably inferior to the SBC, though it was a huge improvement over that flathead V-8. Thankfully, Ford came out with the FE engine in ‘58, which was a HUGE improvement over the Y-block.
My 2 cents...... The 55 ford still used a 6 volt battery and electrical system. Chevy used 12 volt for theirs (54's were still 6 volt). I think the Chevy was better looking, but the Ford still has nice lines. Fun fact - the 55 Ford sports a one year only radio. It is round, and looks way cool in the dash. The 265 V-8 in the Chevy was the first year for the V-8. Fun fact - on the Chevy 265, the rear main seal was made from rope - had leakage problems. I like them both, but I'd rather have the Chevy.
Thank you so much for that correction I totally forgot Chevy went 12 V and 55 and Ford didn’t Did ford go 12 V and 57? 1955 is not here to buy a V8 Chevy I’ve read that pistons were prone to cracking had to change spark plugs and wires frequently and did not have inblock oil filtration Thank you so much for all of that information =)
@@74rockon Man. I wish the Chevy's came with paxtons as an option. Like the Fords and Studebakers. Love the way those early centrifugal blowers looked.
Nice video and nice cars. I didn't see a comparison of the trunks. I thought I might have missed it, but went back and looked again. Trunks were important, as you had the spare there for frequent flat tires and you have to haul groceries and your luggage when traveling.
Welcome to the channel I’m glad you did this comparison there’s gonna be way more coming I just wanted to make sure that everybody liked this format because it was really back-and-forth
I wish you would do a review of the 1956 Mercury Monterey Hardtop also the Ford 1949 pickup (maybe it's a F-100?). My dad had the Mercury and the pickup. The pickup was the first vehicle I drove it was a manual and I had a tough time getting it home the 1/2 mile! I loved the Mercury's styling, color and finish. I liked listening to its radio at. night to Yankee or Giant baseball games. I really admire your work ethic and attention to detail. You're very knowledgable about everything automotive, THANKS so much!
We are just getting started trust me there’s going to be way more 50s comparisons coming off the comparison that I really wanna do that’s like a Hail Mary probably never ever happen 1957 Rambler rebel versus 1957 golden hawk and I would love to see which one of those two cars is the fastest car of the 1950s.. but never say never those are two totally different cars with one thing in common, performance. Thank you so much I put a lot of work into each episode Life has been pretty crazy at the moment but hoping to do at least three episodes in the next coming days.. =)
Nope most vehicles where shot by 70,000 miles. needed tune ups every 10,000 miles. Newer cars last 300,000 miles and give better performance & handling and use less fue. A 1967 pontiac GTO with a 400 engine 4 speed trans and 430 rear gears. Tom McCawhill tested one in 67 turned the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds. My wifes 2000 jeep grand cherokee. 4.0 six automatic 2 wheel drive. Just let it idle mash it to the floor and let it shift automaticaly will turn the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds. It has over 200,000 miles and the spark plugs changed one time.
Nice comparison! I am sure you are taking flax from both sides when you compare Ford and Chevy, but I love your unbiased comparison! I am a Ford guy, but it is nice to see someone compare the two honestly!
Thank you for noticing that it was unbiased I tried to keep things like that very subjective.. because truth be told I like them both they both have strong positive points as well as negative points =)
Great video, I really like the looks of both cars of this era and seeing them compared side by side. Despite the flashy appearance of the higher trimmed Bel-Air my personal favorite is still the custom line for it's unique speedometer, dashboard it's subtle fins and grill but the big winner for me is the Tri-power Thunderbird engine.
@@daveridgeway2639 Well he did mention that the engine was a built 312 from a slightly newer Ford. However that stuff was optional at the time it's just most people didn't go for it
Y blocks where fraught with oiling pronlems. has excessive blow by and not a fast or as high revving as the chevy small blocks. I always pulled them out and installed a FE.
I own a 55 Fairlane 2 tone 2 door Town Sedan(very rare in Luxembourg) with 12v battery that makes starting so much easier.It still has the vacuum wiper motors that is a real pain. The Chevy has a nicer dash and 12v wiper motor.A must on these cars is power steering!I sold my first 55 Fairlane because it did not feature that option, same goes for power brakes,and I wondered how these folks were driving these cars in those days.!Well I guess there was more space to maneuver in the U.S!I like both cars,but the Fairlane in 2tone beats the chevy.!
These comparisons are fun. I wish you could have compared the ‘49 Ford (your recent video) to the ‘49 Chevy … The ‘49-‘51 Chevy Fleetlines were huge favorites of mine. Also, seeing you crawling in and out of these backseats is highly entertaining. While I think 2-doors are more aesthetically pleasing, I have always preferred a 4-door, especially 4-door hardtops (no B-pillar). And even as a youngster, I always felt claustrophobic in the back seat of a 2-door car.
One day I wanna try to do at least one comparison video a week going to try is the key word.. I want to go back to Max Motive and compare the 49 ford to the 50 dodge I still have two cars that I shot that I still have to feature on the channel it might be this week might be next week
Good review,Thanks. I’m an. Old guy (80) years old. I have owned many fords and chev…1953,54.55,56 fords and at-least one 55 chev.belair like your red one .In my experience neither ford or chev had a very good engine for 1955 .chev. Had oil consumption issues at first but soon corrected that. Ford had problems with lack of oil to cam ,rocker shaft and tappets . This problem was not corrected until the Yblock was discontinued. Thanks again Jim. ps didn’t like the six volt system that ford had in 55.
I had the 272 in a 56, and the 292 in a 58 dump truck. Oiling was definitely a problem to the top end. Buddy had a 312 in a 57. Ran hard but cracked the block.
There will be more coming for sure more or less wanted to compare the difference between a hardtop and a sedan because there is a difference and it was more or less for people getting into this hobby for the very first time lotta people don’t know that there is a difference.
Hey Jay, I really enjoy your this vs that comparison videos!!! The mid fifties was a great time for automobiles. The Bel Air has the clear advantage, being a two tone hardtop, the Ford is a 2 door post that's more of a plain Jane model!!! It's too bad that a Crown Victoria wasn't available to you so the comparison would have been closer!!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
Jay. This was a nice video. Just by taking a quick look at those two cars without comparing the actual specs. I've always believed the Ford looked smaller than the Chevy did. When seeing them in person next to each other you can see the differences, but at a quick glance you don't know. My personal favorite comment about Ford's is something my grandfather used to say and it went like this. "Take a piece of tin. Take a piece of board. Wire them together and you got a Ford." Of course then my other grandfather who was a big Ford man all of his life had his own saying that he used to say and it went like this. "Chevrolet, Chevrolet, shove her in a ditch and let her lay."
Yeah the ford is an optical illusion it looks small but is huge =) both had oiling issues the Chevy is nice but everyone has a 55-57 Chevy the fords are out there but don’t see them at every car shindig I have a friend who has a 56 Plymouth savoy maybe next year could compare the three
@@What.its.like. having owned multiple 59 Ford's with Y block engines I've experienced the oiling issues first hand. Still a great engine if properly maintained.
Wow I’ve heard lots of stories of people’s parents selling their cars while they went to the military I couldn’t imagine your brother totally destroying your car and not wanting to fix it in someway Thank you so much for your service I really appreciate what you did
Regardless type of industries/cultures (such as automobile, music, computers and so on...), dawning of the golden era is very attractive and telling us brighter future.
I love 50s modern versus today’s version of modern today’s version of moderns like very minimalistic. Where 50s modern was space-age. Even perhaps impressionistic I love the 1950s advertisements The 50s has always been my favorite era 1930s and growing up getting up there I like the 60s to actually every era has positives and negatives about it.
I would take the 1955 Chevrolet over the Ford because I'm more of a GM (Chevrolet) person and those are cars I grew up with. My family had quite a few GM (mostly Chevrolet) cars and still do today (1950 Chevrolet Deluxe, Chevrolet Lumina, 2012 Chevrolet Impala, etc.). In addition, even if you're not into cars, Chevrolet is likely a huge part of your life because you've probably been in one, owned one, someone in your family has one, or maybe you just see a lot of them on busy streets. Keep up the great work! :)
After doing this review I honestly don’t know which one I choose if I had a Family I’d probably go with the Ford only because it’s more spacious in the back.. The Ford has some pretty significant shortcomings as well I hate the gas pedal in that car but I think it’s due to the fact that it has three carburetors and it’s a linkage thing it doesn’t feel natural.. The shifter is super sloppy super Duper sloppy like I have a 52 Chevy truck that I just drove down the street I love the shifter and that I don’t understand why it’s good and something and it’s not good and something else I drove another Chevy product and I didn’t like the shifter in that one either it was a 62 something but I’m just gonna leave it at that because that review is coming later and it is a killer car.. that I never thought that I would ever get the opportunity to review let alone drive. That was an awesome experience but I wasn’t in love with that shifter either I like the one in my truck when you put it in a gear it clicks in the gear up I absolutely love that the last couple cars that I’ve driven with standard shift from the 50s and 60s they don’t do that. I totally forgot to mention one of the biggest drawbacks to 55 Chevy products when getting the 265 verse eight it did not offer. In Royal filtration system like we are used to now you could get the car with no oil filtration system or you can often get the oil filtration system but as you saw in the hood was open the oil filter is in a really weird spot you have to change the oil free quickly as well as the spark plugs and points for it to run good. Just speaking from the top of my head the Ford has an oil filter but it’s a weird I don’t know if it’s like a toilet paper roll or a cartridge type cartridge type of Mopar but I’m not sure if Ford went down that route as well.
@@What.its.like. The ford had a cannister oil filter it was a regular element. Frantz made a aftermarket oil cleaner that used toilet paper. You can easily convert the original cannister filters to a spin on unit with factory stock parts.
13:35 As a kid, we had a '54 Ford station wagon (who didn't?). I'll never forget my dad stopping suddenly and my little sister banging her head on the metal dash. Ah, the good old days !!
As with almost any make or model, it would be a tough choice for me personally if I had to choose only one to have. I've always been a car lover from a primarily aesthetic point, although it is interesting learning of the engines and performance aspects, and I can really appreciate a lot of different ones as far as that is concerned. I've always found both of these makes and models extremely beautiful 🤩 I think these comparison videos are awesome!
very very nice job. I really would like to see the crown vic compaired to the belair. I know it was not available to you but it would be interesting especially with the glass roof on the ford they offered
Thank you so much did you like the format in which it was shot like talk about a point and then go to the other car and talk about the same point.. because I wanna do more of these videos I think that format works the best but I was just curious what did you guys think?
Ford 239 overhead V8 came out in 1954 and 1955. 272, 292 1955. 312 came out 1957. I have owned all of this in my Ford trucks. Great fair comparison. The 1955 Ford should have been 3 on the tree, not a floor shift. Thanks Chicago 25, 6 2 4
My first car was a 55 ford custom. Always loved the grill. The crown Victoria had the prettiest trim in my opinion. I never could see the speedometer at night.
I remember my dad (in our 1954 Ford wagon-same speedo, same turn signals) being really impressed with the "half moon" speedometer, and that he thought it was the bees knees that the sunlight backlit the speedometer. I was five, so I don't know if it was wonderful or awful, just that dad thought it was good.
I love the comparison format … and I really like the way you broke it down. Of the 55/56/57 generation Chevys, the 55 is my favorite. BUT, I would take the Ford. I just think it’s prettier and more comfortable.
First On Race Day made me like and subscribe. Good video. That Ford needs the clutch adjusted or is wore. Also I could be wrong but I don't think those cars came with floor shifters so that's probably a sloppy J.C.Whitney shifter or the equivalent. More than likely that car was originally three on the tree. Also that tri power setup is more than likely the cause of the throttle issues cause they usually aren't like what you described.
Yeah the ford was customized I’m pretty sure it would be three on the tree build quality is way better on the ford especially the hood once you felt the ford good and then did the Chevy hood Chevy hood felt cheap..
Ford introduced their overhead valve V8 in 1954. It was a 272 cubic inch. that was also the base V8 in 1955. The 292 was the Thunderbird and police interceptor engine.
..nope, incorrect..the 1954 Y-block was 239 cubic inches(same displacement as the outgoing flathead V8, but with different bore and stroke)..the 272 was introduced for 1955, although, apparently, the 239 was still available early in 1955..292 was introduced in '55 as the Thunderbird V8 as well..but in '54, only the 239 was available...
A little information on the 55 Chevy BelAir, the 2 door sedan had a price of $1863 with a 6 and $1,962 with a 265 V8 of which 168,826 were made. The Belair 4 door sedan was $1,907 with a 6 and $2,006 with a V8 of which 340,222 were made, the BelAir 4 door wagon was $2,237 with a 6 and $2,336 with a V8 they built 25,772, the BelAir convertible was $2,181 with a 6 and $2,280 with a V8 and 42,278 were built, the BelAir 2 door hardtop was $2,042 with a 6 and $2,141 with a V8 and 189,269 were made, the Nomad wagon was $2,571 and 8,386 were sold in 1955.
That overdrive handle LOCKS OUT the overdrive. There was a switch under the dash which allowed/disallowed the overdrive (that's the electrical part). When you were driving along, at about 45 mph, assuming the overdrive lever was IN, and the overdrive switch was OFF, the car would "free wheel." If the overdrive lever was IN, and the overdrive switch was ON, you'd let off the gas, and a small "clunk," and you'd be in overdrive. If you pull the overdrive lever OUT, then there was no "freewheel" and the clunk into overdrive would not happen. I drove one of the overdrive models for many years; and thought it was wonderful. Remember back then, most cars, cruising at 45 mph was the norm (before the interstate system was in), so being able to let off the gas, clunk, and get another 8 or 10 mpg of speed without winding the engine was a real benefit. Also remember, back then 4,500 RPM was "screaming."
I wanted to make NADA part of this as well and talk about depreciation but that is kind of sort of almost a conflict of interest, The market is all over the place right now I will say that 55 Belair is about double the price of the customline but I don’t feel like it’s double the car.. The Ford is definitely nicer as far as space goes Next week I might do is this versus that versus something else as well I want to compare a Lincoln mark five and I know the mark five does not compare with the 76 El Dorado but I don’t have a mark v and want to compare both of those cars to a Mercedes 450 SL a car that I don’t understand.. I am going to do an episode on the 450 SL I’d do not understand that car 1976 that car cost 18 grand It’s not fast it doesn’t get good gas mileage it doesn’t handle all that well it was super overrated then and frankly I don’t get it.. The crazier part is they made that car from 1973 to 1980 virtually unchanged that’s what Europeans did they just produce the same car forever and then changes the price tag changed however by 1980 that car cost $31,000 which was equivalent to $126,000 in today’s money FOR WHAT.. overrated car
@@What.its.like. It's an old school re-action.I'm 61 and grew up in the era of being able to bust balls and defend the honor of my brand. But the reality is there are so few GOOD examples of 30's thru early 70's classics out there.We actually have to come together as car enthusiasts and protect one another and the hobby.Dont get me wrong,if I'm behind the wheel of the BBC Nova and some clown is get'n froggy,,,,,it's on.LOL Too many classics got wrecked,are in a garage being "preserved",rusted out,parted out,OR lay undiscovered.It's time again to "run what ya brung". And get the younger gen ink-terested in some-thing,,,,Like NEAT OL CHEVY'S,,,,er sumptin,,,hehehaha.Old habits die hard,,,, You present the cars,,,like theres no feelings.My friend theres no embarasement to like one over the other.EVEN THO you try to hide your enthusiasm ,,,I can see.There in lies the beating heart of a car LOVER
Even if you had a fully loaded Crown Victoria compared to a base 55 Chevrolet, I believe the Chevrolet would still be my choice. The dimensions, lines and styling from any angle make the Chevrolet a rolling masterpiece of American engineering, IMO. Completely different vibe between the two. Guess I'm biased because my dad owned a fully restored 1957 (with posts) while growing up and my wife's mother owns a 55 Bel Air 2-door in TX. Very cool comparison video 👍
=) thank you for getting this comparison a lot of people didn’t get it because it’s a hard top versus sedan comparison A lot of people didn’t get this comparison but I did this comparison for the people that are just getting into the car hobby I don’t know the difference between a hardtop and a sedan
Nice, fairly thorough comparison. The Chevy “pops” in red. The Ford looks kind of average. As you mentioned, if you had a Victoria or other high trim level Ford in red it may have looked better. It’s interesting to me that Chevy WAY outsold Ford even though the Ford was cheaper and could have a more powerful engine. Advertising might be the difference
The thing that gets me the most is the Ford is bigger than the Chevy is it doesn’t look that way it looks like the Chevy is bigger than the Ford by a lot.. The other thing is the Ford is bigger in the cabin region I think that’s where all of the extra length goes I wasn’t joking when I said the seat is easier to get into the Ford than it is in the Chevy that was an accident or staged or anything that was me actually showing you what it was like to get in these cars.. I have a really awesome comparison coming up and I wish I could tell you about it I’m hoping to get the opportunity to race these cars tomorrow it would be epic it would be next level because I honestly don’t know which one would win in a race..
With 52% of the market in those days, giant GM was just simply able to give buyers more for their money... Then look at 34:10 here to see what Chevy had in '57 !!!: th-cam.com/video/vWdF3L_qxTk/w-d-xo.html
..well, the '55 Ford was a good looking car, BUT..let's face it, it was no '55 Chevy!...and the Ford still had an antiquated 6 volt electrical system, the Chevy had 12 volt for '55...and, although there were teething problems in the early 265 Chevy v8's, it was a very solid design, and designed for growth..the Ford Y-block had a reputation for oiling problems, and could not go much beyond the 312 for displacement..Ford while a good car, was rather conservative and ho-hum from the mid '50's to mid '60's...and just do some research on current(and historical) values for '55-'65 Fords and '55-'65 Chevys..other than limited production special models, Fords can generally be bought much cheaper than compareable Chevys of the same vintage...
@@dyer2cycle - Yeah, Ford used a 6 volt instrument panel operated via a voltage dropping resister until about 1965... when finally went to 12 volt instruments...
1950's and car makers were still trying to satisfy the post WWII demand. So things got a little sloppy at the automated boring press for Ford V-8 engines and instead of stopping to clean the crap off the cutters every once in a while, they'd run them til they jammed. That meant a lot of engines were OVER BORED yet had standard pistons and ring. YES - they burned as much oil as gas (almost). In 1957, my mom was "given" a 55 ford V8 wagon. At 11, I was head of the house (no dad), my FIRST job every day was to put oil in it. It took a couple quarts a DAY.
Cool video, but a few corrections. 1) The 55 Ford is supposed to 6 volts, not 12, 2) the 292 was made available later in the model year. Early 55s only had the 272 3) The gearshift is supposed to be on the steering column 4) 55 was Ford's 2nd year for Overhead valves. Still, its nice to se someone as young as you interested in classic cars.
Thank you for those corrections I was born way too late trying to keep this information out there for anyone that wants to get into the classic car hobby
One more thing, J, the transmission clutch and shifter, the engine tri power and throttle linkage on the Ford is NOT OEM "original equipment manufacture" at all. It is aftermarket. Please reply. Dave...
That took me back -- my 1st car was a '55 Chevy Bel Air V-8, in beautiful Aqua Blue & White, but fortunately with a 3-on-the-tree. It had about 40,000+ good miles on the odometer and I probably added close to 60k more. It's one & only fault was it burned a quart of oil about every 3-400 miles. I still think it's the best looking 50's Chevrolet -- simpler & cleaner looking than the '57. One note re: entry/exit from the rear. Remember, this was a "hardtop-convertible", thus its added stiffening due to a lack of a B-pillar, gave it a similar, cramped rear to the convertible. In the Ford's defense, its interior was close to the Bel Air's if you had a top-line Fairlane 500 to compare. I just wish I'd been able to hold onto mine -- a friend's brother bugged me for years to sell it to him and a week after I gave up and did so, he totaled it.
Great story thank you so much for sharing except for the part where your brother totaled it that part was sad but it happens sometimes this was an outside the box comparison I have a comparison video coming out it should either air maybe tomorrow or the next day two more beach boys car episodes coming in working on one now super cool car 1965 corvette sting ray but not just any sting ray a fuelie.. it has rained the last two days so I haven’t been able to drive that one yet I’m not sure if I really want to.. I shouldn’t say I haven’t I have drove it but I haven’t drove it fast on the road.. i’m not sure if I want to it’s a six figure car very rare six-figure car they only made 771 fuel injection stingrays in 1965 rare color and options it’s like 1 of 177.. Dennis Collins would say the holy grail car. I’ve been waiting to post the comparison video that I’m talking about for a while because I’m trying to set up a really epic sort of race I guess.. I will never ever get this opportunity again I don’t think because feel injection stingray is rare the other car is rare and if your a beach boys fan you can probably put the rest together. Some other comparison videos that I would really like to do is 76 Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln mark five I know that they were different time periods but in 77 Cadillac Eldorado actually got smaller.. I really wanna do the factory five cobra and the dodger viper. I eventually want to do a three for and compare Lincoln mark five Cadillac Eldorado Mercedes-Benz 450 SL But I have to review all 450 SL before I do those other two cars that car doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever. I’m talking about the Mercedes it’s not fast it’s actually pretty slow it makes 180 brake horsepower SL stood for super light.. but I don’t recall a car weighing close to 4000 pounds being light to put it in perspective that Mercedes weighs 3955 pounds with a hard top the top is removable. Go to put it in perspective 1962 bubble pop Chevy weighs less than that Mercedes 1965 Chevy Corvette weighs less than that Mercedes.. my Honda Odyssey minivan weighs 400 pounds more than that Mercedes, The real kicker is they made that car from 1973 to 1980 I’ve done lots of research I’m planning on doing this episode real soon but I haven’t shot it yet, The real kicker is the price they made the car virtually without any change in the 1980s that car cost $31,000 which is equivalent to $126,000 today FOR WHAT?? So put that in perspective you could buy a Cadillac Eldorado as well as a Lincoln mark five and still have money left over and I would pick either one of those cars over that car.. just doesn’t make sense to me. What am I missing
I owned at '55 Ford w/272 c.i.V8 & Fordomatic in '60. Before going in the Navy I pulled the oil pan to inspect & replace the rod & lower main bearings. One rod bearing was down to the copper unlay indicating the original top layer babbitt was completely worn off. These engines were notorious for loosing oil pressure as the milage increased eventually causing engine failure due to low oil pressure. With only an "idiot" oil light vs an oil gauge you would never know that oil pressure was nearing minimum pressure requirements. The problem was the inexpensive gear type pump installed at the factory which would normally wear dropping pressure as mileage increased. I was surprised that the new OEM pump I bought from Ford (to replace my original gear pump) was a rotary vein pump muchlike Chrysler used in many/most of their engines. Rotary vein pumps (from my experience) maintain full pressure requirements until they fail to prime on startup indicating immediate replacement i.e. zero oil pressure or red oil light telling you not to run the engine.
Thank you so much for your service I still can’t get over the bean counter decision of taking a physical gauge and replacing it with a light never made sense to me still doesn’t I’d much rather have a gauge.
In high school, my friend had (well, his DAD had) a '55 Chevy which he was allowed to use. We used to go to Bob's Big Boy (a So. Cal. hamburger joint; a few still exist), and they had car hops-girls on roller skates. Our favorite was Mary, and she looked in the window of his car, and said "OH!, a pundler !" Huh? Yeah, you have a pundler, and most people have a "prenundel" ! Huh again? Yeah, Your '55 chevy is PNDLR (pundler), and most people have PRNDL (prenundel). See folks, you learn something every day. Extra credit: eventually the pundlers were outlawed !! [edit: fix typo]
Here's the thing: Ford has stumbled through a couple of dozen different engine designs since 1955; and right now you could look under the hood of a Corvette (0r any of a thousand race cars) and find a derivative of exactly the same engine that's under the hood of that '55 Chevy.
25:05 Notice the Chevy had the oil filter in a separate canister above the engine. a) it was an option. A lot of those old Chevys did NOT have an oil filer. b) it was a pain in the rump, pulling that oil-filled filter out, making sure not to drizzle oil all over the engine. It was nice when they all finally went to the unscrewable "package" oil filter on the bottom.
That was the biggest flaw to the 265 design in 55 both the ford and Chevy had oiling problems Chevy fixed theirs by 56 ford never really fixed the problem they went to a whole new engine family ford FE
I was just a baby riding in my father's 55 Chevy, with no seat belts. But I did have a car seat with a steering wheel and horn, lol. The car was about five years old by the time I was born, but they kept the car till 1967 when my father got a new 1967 Ford Fairlane with a 289 V8.
The Ford just looks old and frumpy inside and out compared to the Chevy and that's not trim level differences. If rear seat access bothers you then buy a 4 door; personally I much prefer the look of most 4 door cars anyway.
Yeah, my great uncle had a black and yellow '57 Dodge. Looked liked one of those big black and yellow garden spiders. My brother and I thought it was really cool.
The base V8 in 1955 was a 272. The optional V8 was a 292. With a 4-barrel carburetor it got the "Thunderbird Special" valve covers. the 312 V8 became an option, I believe, in 1956. The tr-five Thunderbirds all had the 292 V8 in 1955, but in 1956 they got the 312 V8 option, but the base Thunderbird still had the 292 through 1957. The 292 was also used in full-size Fords into the early 1960s and in Ford Trucks, a few years after that. This Ford originally had a column shift as you can see the hole in the dash where the shift tube would go through. Instead, they have the wiring harness for the add-on turn signal switch going through it now. I don't think that I'd ever seen an add-on turn signal switch on these cars before. The Ford V8's were a bit more powerful than the Chevy V8's and in this generation always more cubes. The horsepower race was on. The Fords generally had better acceleration when equipped with a Ford-O-Matic. Because it was a 3-speed automatic, when starting up in 1st, it would have left the PowerGlide equipped Chevy in the dust as the Chevy was still creeping off the line. Weight or size may not always be a factor in how easy a car is to push. Tires, suspension and alignment has more of an affect. Take your favorite car, the Mercedes-Benz 450SL. I've had to push many into the shop to work on them and, by far, they are the hardest cars to push, especially when eve a slight incline is involved. A 3-ton Rolls-Royce was easier for me to push, and believe me, I've pushed more of those into the shop than I care to remember.
I’m going to do a video on that one eventually but man I just don’t get that car. They said it was light weight.. I can’t recall anyone saying their 3,955lbs car was light my van weighs 4,300lbs and I have drove it I can say that my Honda van is faster than it by a lot. That would be fun to show but probably won’t happen. I just don’t get that car. Thank you so much for the insight and corrections =)
The Ford-O-Matic is a 3 speed, but you have to manually shift to use 1st gear. In Drive it starts in 2nd gear. These had no rear pump to sense driveshaft speed, so when you let off the throttle it would just coast with no engine braking. Having learned with a manual trans, I found it difficult not having any engine braking. You could also not push start them.
@@loboheeler Yes, the original Ford-O-Matic was a 3-speed, which normally started in 2nd gear. Around 1956, automatic kickdown was added so if you floored it from a stop or soon after, it would automatically kick down into 1st gear. Yes, they DID have rear pumps and could be push-started, even after they were upgraded to Cruise-O-Matics which had the option of starting in 1st or 2nd gear. Transmission repair was a field I specialized in and I can't begin to count the number of Ford automatics I've overhauled. In 1959, with the Cruise-O-Matic being the main Ford automatic, Ford introduced an aluminum-cased new Ford-O-Matic, which was a 2-speed automatic. It was used in Edsels, Falcon's, Comets and 1964 1/2 Mustangs. It was the only automatic available behind the small 6's and 260 V8's. This automatic also had a rear pump so it could be push-started or even towed without fear of damaging the transmission. Here is one that is for sale: www.ebay.com.au/itm/153329782888 Ford's next generation of aluminum-cased automatics, C4 & C6 eliminated the rear pump. 1965 was about the last year, outside of Mercedes, that most automatics had a rear pump. 1966 was a new era. Mercedes used a rear pump for decades more.
My dad always like the Fords having the key on the left, because you could reach in the window, and start the car-something you could NOT do on the GM products.
Yeah, but you had to be mindful that those cars didn’t have clutch switches in the starter circuit … If you reached in and started a manual transmission equipped car that was in gear, the thing could start and run away, and even fairly fast if the choke was partially pulled out. The results could range from comical to downright disastrous …
I'm old enough to remember these cars and the culture that chose which one was "cool" and "not so cool." That pillar that separated the front and back windows was for Grandpa only. The only way to be "proper" was to have NO pillar. The pillar was a sedan and no pillar was a hardtop.
One of the reasons for the Chevy weighing more is probably the heavy, cast iron cased, slip and slide Powerglide automatic transmission. Anyone who has ever driven a Chevy with a Powerglide that has over 80,000 miles on the car will know why these transmissions got the name slip and slide.
Yeah I wonder how much that transmission weighed the only hydra matic was the heaviest automatic transmission ever put in a car. The transmission was made of cast iron I read somewhere =)
@@What.its.like. - The powerglide had a cast iron case from 1950 until 1963. Personally, I always had good luck with the powerglide. They weren’t super-efficient like the automatics are today, but gas was dirt-cheap back then …
OK... The Chevy is the "top of the line" Bel Air auto powerglide, factory specs. The Ford Customline is only the second trim from bottom level not Crown Victoria "top of the line". The Ford has been "customized" . The floor shift, the 3/2 carburetors, removal of the hood ornament, repainted dashboard is NOT factory spec at all. These 2 cars are not being compared on the same plane.
I said in the beginning it’s not a fair comparison it’s an out of the box comparison like if one had the chance to buy a bel air or customline. The Chevy is $60k car the ford is 34k car is the Chevy worth twice as much I don’t think it is
Was a young lad in 1957 and got an entry level job in a local independent car repair. Remember both makes quite well. The '55 Chev had the 265 inch V8 standard with a 2 barrel Rochester and the Powerpack came with a 4 barrel. Powerglides where dogs off the line due to the 2 speed trans but kick down to passing gear after 25 mph would set you back in the seat. Ford offered the 272 inch V8 Y-block and a 292 inch with a crazy 4 barrel as optional. Both engines were very similar and probably the uneducated person could not tell the difference by appearance but performance was better with the extra 20 inches and carburetion. Curiously, Ford added a few more HP to each engine if bolted to the Fordomatic 3 speed trans. The '55 had a 6 volt system changing to 12 in '56. The '55 Ford was a refinement of the '54 - (first OHV Y-block engine with 239 inches, ball joint suspension), more engine choices, better ride, etc. The '55 Chev was totally redesigned from '54 so it was natural for it to have a few more growing pains such as oil leaks and consumption, ignition problems (spark plug wires where touching hot parts of the block and chaffing).
13:11 LOL funny guy without trying Note/ when I pushed them I thought knowing well they were extremely light by at least almost a ton compared to modern vehicular examples, that it is easier for you as you are a very large and strong farm boy. (That’s also a compliment )
We had one of the Fords 4dr when i was a kid.. Ours had the straight 6 with three on the tree. We lived in San Francisco at the time so the breaks got a good workout. They never failed to stop straight even on the steepest of hills. We had it for three years and it only required tune ups and oil changer. Very Economical to use. Sadly it got totaled by a drunk driver one night while parked. Ours had optional seat belts. The car who hit ours didnt. You can guess the outcome.
Oh wow everyone was OK though right because at the end of the day that’s all that really matters the cars can be replaced.. Still sucks it happened at all though cause I totally know what that’s like
I thought you did well in doing a comparison video. Including the push test. 😀 I seems a difficult thing to me. Keeping things straight as you go from one to the other. Could be smoother and more concise, maybe. But it goes with your style and that's a good thing. You exited the rear of the Chevy saying it was like being reborn. 😂😂😂 extra points for that. Thank you for doing this. Oh yes ... Chacago, 25 or 6 2 4
So funny backstory I intended on this going up around 6ish.. the way I shot this and finished product isn’t the same lots of cuts and moving around but this was the second shot it took me 4ish hours to edit it the first time. I saved it but for some reason it was gone I was able to redo it (just had to re edit because it was gone still have all the footage and slides with specs) it only took 3 hours the second time.
@@What.its.like. Ahhhh, the art and tedium and frustration of making and editing a video. (Especially the editing, to me.) I have some experience. Just a little though. Thanks for sharing the experience with me.
Both of these are fantastic. Along with the Plymouth, American styling, engineering, and build quality were all great in 55. A total transformation from the less glamorous 54 models. I think 55 has to be one of the best years of all time. For me personally, I could go either way on these. Generally I lean GM, but 55 and 56 Fords are some of my absolute favorite cars of all time. There's something handsome and friendly about them. At the same time, the Chevy definitely has the sporty looks and is a great design in its own right. According to a book I have, Encyxlopedia of American cars 1940-1970 by Richard M Langworth and the editors of consumer guide (I'd recommend getting it on eBay, copies are pretty cheap and it offers production numbers based on body style), 55 Bel air production broke down 168,313 two door sedans 345,372 four door sedans 24,313 four door wagons 8,386 two door wagons (Nomad) 41,292 convertibles 185,562 sport hardtop coupes
@@What.its.like. Sometimes you can find used car buying guides on eBay, but they're all from the 80s and newer. Aside from that, finding old reviews or articles is down to getting old magazines. I've had luck finding some online over the years. As far as the encyclopedia of American cars, there are quite a few entries in that series that cover different dates. 1940-1970, 1939-1980, 1930-1996, and 1930-2006. I have each of these and there's no difference, aside from covering more and more years. It has a section that goes through the company history and discusses the model changes. And then it has a section that covers the individual make model and body style price, shipping weight, and production numbers along with the basic engine stats. Another good series is the Standard Catalog of American Cars, which has a version that covers all cars built prior to 1946, and another that covers them after that year. Those are much more technical reference books that get into details regarding more mechanical details like the brakes. There is also Standard Catalog for pickup trucks and import cars which follow the same formula.
Proper matchup is actually Chevrolet BelAir vs Ford Fairlane. The Ford's V8 was in its second year as it was introduced in 1954. The common Ford V8 was 272 CID. You could have a 2 bbl carb and single exhaust or get it with a power pack that included a 4 bbl carb and duel exhaust.
Totally agree didn’t have either of those models but I still wanted to do this match up I have another matchup video coming that is totally awesome don’t think anybody’s ever done it before.. =)
The 4 bbl carb was a Holley tea pot carb. and they used a dual advance dist and did not work very well. A 57 dist and larger 57 2 bbl carb would out perform a Tea Pot setup.
20 5 or 6 2 4 by Chicago. Summer 1970. I remember it well. Now my take. Very good review of these cars. I really enjoy your videos. Chevrolet did offer the Bel Air in a 2 door sedan body style. The window glass is the same in post models there is no additional framing on the glass. If the Ford was a two door hardtop, it too would have the chrome around the window like the Chevrolet. The framing around the glass on two doors model cars were phased out in the later part of the 1960's. One of Ramblers selling points was they still were framing the glass with chrome on two door hartops while other manufacturers were phasing them out. Doglegs on cars. Here is some reference for that. If you note that both cars have vertical posts. That was mid fifties. As the decade wore on the a post was what they call a reverse slant. You can see that on Fords starting in 1957, Thunderbird 1955. Chevrolet started using reverse slant A post in 1958. It is the reverse slant A post that will catch your knee because it intrudes way more then a vertical A post. Stylistically manufacturers started to phase out reverse A post in 1959 and they were completely gone by 1963. Corvette in 1963 as well as Chevrolet trucks. Thunderbird utilized a reverse A post in 1960. The rest of the Ford line abandoned reverse A post in 1960 models. Surprising because Ford was always shiwing Thunderbird influence in their mainstream cars, hence the tailight treatment you described on the 55 Ford. Chrysler never really got into the reverse A post game. They were still able to have a wrap around windshield which was all the rage whichout a huge dogleg to contend with. I watched a film meant for car salesman to sway the customers with. They called the reverse A post a safety feature. They showed a car with a vertical post pull up to a corner with a person getting ready to cross the street. It shows the the post made them invisible by the way it lined up. Then they said look at the car with a reverse A post. You always see everything. Like vertical and reverse A post, fins also ran their course with Cadillac being the last to completely abandon them in the 1990's. Yes I know that will get people started, but Cadillac never completely got rid of them. They just weren't ginormace anymore. There were no vanity mirrors on base cars back then. Maybe on Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial. Studebaker made a big fuss about there vanity mirror option in 1963. In 1955 Ford offered safety features not available in most other cars such as padded dash and seat belts. That was part of Fords Safety Lifeguard campaign. Even the steering wheel was what they called deep dish unlike the Chevrolet which had a pointy metal horn center just waiting for your skull in an accident. Side mirrors even on the driver's side were optional either through the factory or dealer. All two door cars utilize the split seat back feature for entrance and egress. The Ford seemed to have a better arch for easy access to the back. Anyway keep those videos coming, they are fun to watch.
everybody liked the fords and chevys but for a young man, first car, you couldnt beat a rambler ambassador , FULLY folding front seats. " roving motel"
Hey there Jay, I recently saw a promotional film produced by Ford, for their salesman for these model. They were similar in some instances, but, the Ford was the better and cheaper choice, Ford went on to claim. So this should be interesting.
The reason why the clutch is the way it is it's because the person who has the car must have chose it that way. You can adjust it to your liking. Actually a clutch like that will be burnt up easier on the top than it does on the bottom. I think the backseat of that Bel Air is not the original seat.
Great job Justin, I enjoyed this video. Brought back many memories. The Chevy is beloved by hot rodders and I am guessing more valuable. The Ford is largely forgotten. My guess is the reason is that 1955 was the first year for the small block Chevy engine, a ground breaking design that stayed in production until the 1980's. The Ford Y block had problems and was replaced in the early 1960's. I would also guess that your issues with the gas pedal, shifter and clutch on the Ford had much to do with the restoration. I suspect an original 1955 Ford would be much more pleasant to drive. The original would most likely be a three on the tree and not a floor shifter? The Chevy two speed power glide was very unsatisfying to drive (I drove many in the 1960's) but was comparable to the Ford offering in the 1950's. The Ford transmission I think was called the Ford-O-Matic which I always found humorous.
Glad you enjoyed this on more comparisons coming =) 55 Chevy had problems with the 265 v8 pistons could crack, spank plugs and wires as well as point needed to be changed on the regular. And didn’t have in block oil filtration
One critique. I've driven the 56 Bel-air 2 door post which I owned and the 57 Ford Crown Victoria Astro-liner. After driving the Chevy the body roll in the Ford will give you a panic attack. Both were smooth riding but the Chevy was far more agile and fun to drive. That said a set of aftermarket anti-roll bars would do wonders for the Ford, or the Chevy for that matter. By the way, a two door hardtop is going to weigh more than a two door post. The Ford was more luxy but the Chevy handled far better.
I'll take the Ford. I like the styling better and the front grille treatment looks better. Though, like they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just a personal preference. The song was 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago. Though I was never a big fan of them. All hail the mighty Led Zeppelin.
Yeah it is want to show differences in hard tops and sedans because people just getting into this hobby don’t know the differences, you got the song and band =) Was the 312 the best ford y block? Just curious if it was
Found on Road Dead...Forked on Race Day....my personal fave Father's Old Rinkled Dink! The Chev has the nicest dash....Also the Bel Air is ahard top as opposed to the Ford being a two door sedan....yeah...like hardtops don't have pillars...sheesh. I've owned a lot of mostly old Chev/Pontiac /Cadillac cars...and am six foot six...so I would step out, move the driver seat ahead then let the passenger into the back...oh...and that Ford has a boatload of aftermarkiet stuff on it ferom the shifter to the carbs...
It would be a much more valid comparison if the cars were more alike. The Chevy seemed to be stock. But the Ford had a later engine with what looked like 3 2-barrel carbs. That might explain the gas pedal problem. Also there seemed to be a non-stock shifter on the 3-speed in the Ford, and there might have been a different transmission. Either one might explain the clutch pedal problem. I think a stock Ford would have had the shift lever on the steering column. Opening the hood in both cars was a reminder that life was a bit simpler in those days. Today's cars have a hood release inside the lockable cabin for a reason. The only real take away from the comparison was that the Ford had a better back seat than the Chevy.
Yeah i see your point, this is honestly the only 55 ford customline I’ve seen In person I think it’s interesting that the ford looks smaller but is in fact bigger.. and that space was added to the cabin rear seat is nicer in the ford and you right it would have three on the tree instead of the floor shifter
@@dallasmars2 1955-1956 all cars were upgrading to 12 volt system. Chevrolets were always a 6-cylinder and 6 volt systems up to 1954. 1955, the entire GM fleet switched to 12 volts. Chrysler, Ford, and the "Independents" were still 6 volt in 1955 especially in their entry level vehicles. 1956, all American cars were 12 volt systems. It reached the point that 6 volts could no longer manage all the accessories being added. Also, the government mandated 12 volt for safety reasons especially regarding lighting.
It’s a 2 door sedan. Also the 55 Chevrolet was offered as a 2 door sedan in all trim levels. Sedans are quieter, due to less wind noise. Love both cars. I was in first grade when these were in showroom floor. 🤣
The Chevy looks more sporty. The Ford looks more family sedan. The floor shifter looks like it belongs in the Chevy and the 3 on the column belongs in the Ford. Anyway, enjoyed this.
The rear seat comparison is not entirely fair. The Ford is a sedan, which had a 1" higher roof overall and was higher over the rear seat than the hardtop roofline. The hardtop roof was lower, all windows were shorted by about 1" and had a more graceful slope to the rear, cutting rear seat headroom. None of the windows on the sedan interchange with those on the hardtop.
![1955 Ford Fairlane "Blue Dream" | Walkaround Review Series [4k]](/img/n.gif)
Chicago 25 or 6 to 4
You got =)
I was going to do another song but then I was like we gotta hit some Chicago.. we’re gonna have one more week of craziness and then we’re going to get to a set schedule it might be a double feature day every now and then one video be posted in the morning do you in the evening will be the main attraction will be posted as it’s looking now sometime in the evening.. what do you have time to change I’m gonna put a date on the community pole.. I have a really awesome sis verses that coming out I don’t think these two cars I’ve ever been compared except for maybe in a song which inspired this to take place I’m going to do that tomorrow already shot the video I wanna see if it’s possible to receive two cars and see what the outcome is like first one to 60 nothing illegal.. like even if I just got footage of that it would be epic because you never see these two cars together at the same time and I’ll never get this opportunity again.. guess it yet =)
@@What.its.like. Yeah, Lighthouse was a better band....
ONLY, "IN THE BEGINNING"❣️🤭
YEAH,my 1st REAL car was a 55 Chevy 2dr HT.Bought it in boxs.Learned my trade on it.I LOVE those cars.
When I first ran across your videos I was somewhat skeptical to say the least. But following you anyway I feel compelled to acknowledge that you're gaining knowledge and perspective concerning every video that you make. You're doing a good job.
Thank you so much =)
A small handfull of issues:
1. The Ford came stock with a column shifter. Changing the shifter changes the driving experience.
2. I have never driven a 1955 Ford, but I have driven a 1954 and a 1957. The accelerator linkages were linear. The 1954 was hinged at the bottom which was a bit odd but the 1957 was hung from the dashboard like a modern car. I think the hot rodding of that car is to blame again.
3. Not fair dinging the Ford for the missing hood ornament, it came with one. Hot rodding takes its toll again.
4. The key location on the ford is awful! I broke a finger years ago while starting a 1952 Ford while the door was open, but slammed on my finger.
5. The Ford wins hands down on comfort because it is a 2 door, not a hardtop coupe. This is the pillar issue. The Victoria would not have fared as well. This is the reason for the framed out windows on the Chevy. They had to increase the contact area for the weather stripping to avoid leaks.
6. The Chevy interior is years ahead of the Ford! It is just a better execution.
7. Ford's build quality was at least adequate in 1955. Chevy was well documented to have horrible build quality. The restoration corrected tis issue.
8. 1955 was the first year of the Chevy small block OHV V8. It was the second year of the Ford Y Block OHV V8.
9. Had you compared to a Plymouth or Dodge of the same vintage, the Dodge would have paled by comparison. Chrysler was 5 years behind the competition in 1955. They caught up in 1957 (but talk about bad build quality).
10. Wrap around windshields are wonderful. They are also heavy and expensive. I think that's the real reason they went away. I daily drove a 1955 Cadillac through most of the 1980's. Loved the windshield!
11. Has the Ford been lowered? My memory is that the Ford was a couple of inches taller than the Chevy. Don't see that in your video.
12. Yes that is the correct exterior mirror for the Ford
People say the Ford was less stylish than the Chevy from 1955-1957 time period. I think it holds its own pretty well.
Thank you so much for all of those corrections =) as well as inside information
I really can't accept your remark about Chrysler cars being 5 years behind the competition in 1955; in '53 & '54 - yes, probably, but in '55 - I think they were on par in most aspects and ahead of the time in at least some. Styling was at least on par with Ford (in fact, '55 Plymouth looked like a smaller version of '56 Lincoln - more so than '55-56 Ford), and usually more modern looking than comparable GM brands - e.g., Plymouth vs. Chevy, Oldsmobile vs DeSoto, etc. Hemi & Poly V8s were at least as good as the competition, or better - only the flathead six was lagging behind, but it was an economy choice, and a very simple, robust & reliable engine compared to OHV sixes used for the same purpose by the competition - with roughly the same kind of horsepower. PowerFlite was no worse than competition, as Chevy also used 2-speed Powerglide (of an inferior design), and Fordomatic, which was in theory a 3-speed, started in 2nd gear while in D, making it effectively a 2-speed with an abnormally high "first" gear. True, chassis was a bit dated - with king pins up front (most if not all GM cars still used them as well), but still reportedly handled better than competition, or at least as well as. Used a 6 V electrical system - just as Ford did in '55. And when did Ford & GM switch to electric wipers, remind me ? 1959 ? 1960 ?.. Well, Chryslers have had them since before the war. Brakes were better than most; and Chrysler's "full-time" power steering was infinitely better than "hydraulic ram" style add-on PS used by Ford & GM for the cheaper cars until probably 1970s. Can talk about it forever, but I guess you've got my point already )
Non-standard shifter is not an improvement.
I love 50s cars too. I don't even own a modern car. I don't like them.
In the drawing the front hub lines up with the centerline of the front bumper [approximately] as does the vehicle at 07:42 so if lowered, not by much.
Funny how the Y-Block had more displacement and power versus the Chevrolet V8 offerings in those early years, yet the SBC had room to grow and became a legend while the Y-Block died in the US market in cars in 1962 and trucks in 1964. The Y-Block was competitive in it’s day but is not totally irrelevant to most hot rodders and enthusiasts. I do love the mid-50’s cars…all of them!
The Y-block was heavy, and had some design flaws that made it notably inferior to the SBC, though it was a huge improvement over that flathead V-8.
Thankfully, Ford came out with the FE engine in ‘58, which was a HUGE improvement over the Y-block.
Thanks Jay, for keeping it real, sensible, and drama free.
You know it.. =)
My 2 cents...... The 55 ford still used a 6 volt battery and electrical system. Chevy used 12 volt for theirs (54's were still 6 volt). I think the Chevy was better looking, but the Ford still has nice lines. Fun fact - the 55 Ford sports a one year only radio. It is round, and looks way cool in the dash. The 265 V-8 in the Chevy was the first year for the V-8. Fun fact - on the Chevy 265, the rear main seal was made from rope - had leakage problems. I like them both, but I'd rather have the Chevy.
Thank you so much for that correction I totally forgot Chevy went 12 V and 55 and Ford didn’t
Did ford go 12 V and 57?
1955 is not here to buy a V8 Chevy I’ve read that pistons were prone to cracking had to change spark plugs and wires frequently and did not have inblock oil filtration
Thank you so much for all of that information =)
actually, the dashboard and radio are the same in 54 and 55 Fords.
53 as well ??
My first car was a 56 belaire sports coupe, factory black and white.
@@What.its.like. Ford went to 12 volt in 1956.
I love that they used to tie Paxton blowers to certain fords.
That’s because that raggedy Y-block wouldn’t breathe without a blower …
You better make sure that Chevy is up to snuff cause that raggedy old y block will blow the doors off it with that blower on
@@74rockon Man. I wish the Chevy's came with paxtons as an option. Like the Fords and Studebakers. Love the way those early centrifugal blowers looked.
Nice video and nice cars. I didn't see a comparison of the trunks. I thought I might have missed it, but went back and looked again. Trunks were important, as you had the spare there for frequent flat tires and you have to haul groceries and your luggage when traveling.
Yeah I couldn’t get the truck opened in the ford I should have showed pictures great point out =)
Great video thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed this one
Nice comparison video , the sound went down when you were walking around tge car before pushing them both , but otherwise it was great👍
Thank you =)
I have a 56 Customline with a summit 302 V8, robins egg blue. great channel.
Welcome to the channel I’m glad you did this comparison there’s gonna be way more coming I just wanted to make sure that everybody liked this format because it was really back-and-forth
I wish you would do a review of the 1956 Mercury Monterey Hardtop also the Ford 1949 pickup (maybe it's a F-100?). My dad had the Mercury and the pickup. The pickup was the first vehicle I drove it was a manual and I had a tough time getting it home the 1/2 mile! I loved the Mercury's styling, color and finish. I liked listening to its radio at. night to Yankee or Giant baseball games. I really admire your work ethic and attention to detail. You're very knowledgable about everything automotive, THANKS so much!
We are just getting started trust me there’s going to be way more 50s comparisons coming off the comparison that I really wanna do that’s like a Hail Mary probably never ever happen 1957 Rambler rebel versus 1957 golden hawk and I would love to see which one of those two cars is the fastest car of the 1950s.. but never say never those are two totally different cars with one thing in common, performance.
Thank you so much I put a lot of work into each episode Life has been pretty crazy at the moment but hoping to do at least three episodes in the next coming days.. =)
Muy excelente la comparación de estos dos iconos de la ingeniería de los años 50 congratuleccion por esa presentación 😊
Those cars back then are better than these cars that are out now
Totally agree
Nope most vehicles where shot by 70,000 miles. needed tune ups every 10,000 miles. Newer cars last 300,000 miles and give better performance & handling and use less fue. A 1967 pontiac GTO with a 400 engine 4 speed trans and 430 rear gears. Tom McCawhill tested one in 67 turned the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds. My wifes 2000 jeep grand cherokee. 4.0 six automatic 2 wheel drive. Just let it idle mash it to the floor and let it shift automaticaly will turn the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds. It has over 200,000 miles and the spark plugs changed one time.
Nice comparison! I am sure you are taking flax from both sides when you compare Ford and Chevy, but I love your unbiased comparison! I am a Ford guy, but it is nice to see someone compare the two honestly!
Thank you for noticing that it was unbiased I tried to keep things like that very subjective.. because truth be told I like them both they both have strong positive points as well as negative points =)
Flax? Lol
@@bobjohnson1587 Yeah. Flax is a plant. Flak is anti-aircraft fire.
@@ksman9087 Right on! If I had a choice I would rather get hit by flax! Lol
Do a comparo between a 50 Studebaker and a Chebby .
I would love to do some more comparisons didn’t get to get into that that much this year
Great video, I really like the looks of both cars of this era and seeing them compared side by side. Despite the flashy appearance of the higher trimmed Bel-Air my personal favorite is still the custom line for it's unique speedometer, dashboard it's subtle fins and grill but the big winner for me is the Tri-power Thunderbird engine.
It’s a really cool set up that’s for sure =)
The engine tri power and throttle linkage on the Ford is NOT OEM "original equipment manufacture" at all. It is aftermarket. Please reply. Dave...
@@daveridgeway2639 Well he did mention that the engine was a built 312 from a slightly newer Ford. However that stuff was optional at the time it's just most people didn't go for it
Y blocks where fraught with oiling pronlems. has excessive blow by and not a fast or as high revving as the chevy small blocks. I always pulled them out and installed a FE.
I own a 55 Fairlane 2 tone 2 door Town Sedan(very rare in Luxembourg) with 12v battery that makes starting so much easier.It still has the vacuum wiper motors that is a real pain.
The Chevy has a nicer dash and 12v wiper motor.A must on these cars is power steering!I sold my first 55 Fairlane because it did not feature that option, same goes for power brakes,and I wondered how these folks were driving these cars in those days.!Well I guess there was more space to maneuver in the U.S!I like both cars,but the Fairlane in 2tone beats the chevy.!
I’d rather have power brakes than steering that’s just me though I had power steering on 67 mustang and it was over assisted and super vague
These comparisons are fun. I wish you could have compared the ‘49 Ford (your recent video) to the ‘49 Chevy … The ‘49-‘51 Chevy Fleetlines were huge favorites of mine.
Also, seeing you crawling in and out of these backseats is highly entertaining. While I think 2-doors are more aesthetically pleasing, I have always preferred a 4-door, especially 4-door hardtops (no B-pillar). And even as a youngster, I always felt claustrophobic in the back seat of a 2-door car.
One day I wanna try to do at least one comparison video a week going to try is the key word..
I want to go back to Max Motive and compare the 49 ford to the 50 dodge
I still have two cars that I shot that I still have to feature on the channel it might be this week might be next week
Good review,Thanks. I’m an. Old guy (80) years old. I have owned many fords and chev…1953,54.55,56 fords and at-least one 55 chev.belair like your red one .In my experience neither ford or chev had a very good engine for 1955 .chev. Had oil consumption issues at first but soon corrected that. Ford had problems with lack of oil to cam ,rocker shaft and tappets . This problem was not corrected until the Yblock was discontinued. Thanks again Jim. ps didn’t like the six volt system that ford had in 55.
=) glad you digged this episode ford went 12 volt in 57? If I remember correctly
@@What.its.like. No, 1956.
I had the 272 in a 56, and the 292 in a 58 dump truck. Oiling was definitely a problem to the top end. Buddy had a 312 in a 57. Ran hard but cracked the block.
I too like the comparison- though for this it’s apple v oranges because of trim level. I know it’s hard to find comparable cars. Good effort!
There will be more coming for sure more or less wanted to compare the difference between a hardtop and a sedan because there is a difference and it was more or less for people getting into this hobby for the very first time lotta people don’t know that there is a difference.
Hey Jay, I really enjoy your this vs that comparison videos!!! The mid fifties was a great time for automobiles. The Bel Air has the clear advantage, being a two tone hardtop, the Ford is a 2 door post that's more of a plain Jane model!!! It's too bad that a Crown Victoria wasn't available to you so the comparison would have been closer!!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
Yeah me too =) I have a really cool comparison coming up it’s going to be epic
@@What.its.like. Sounds good, I look forward to seeing it!! 🙂
A better comparison would have been with a 55 Ford Fairlane Victoria 2 Dr. Hardtop.
Jay. This was a nice video. Just by taking a quick look at those two cars without comparing the actual specs. I've always believed the Ford looked smaller than the Chevy did. When seeing them in person next to each other you can see the differences, but at a quick glance you don't know.
My personal favorite comment about Ford's is something my grandfather used to say and it went like this.
"Take a piece of tin. Take a piece of board. Wire them together and you got a Ford."
Of course then my other grandfather who was a big Ford man all of his life had his own saying that he used to say and it went like this.
"Chevrolet, Chevrolet, shove her in a ditch and let her lay."
Yeah the ford is an optical illusion it looks small but is huge =) both had oiling issues the Chevy is nice but everyone has a 55-57 Chevy the fords are out there but don’t see them at every car shindig I have a friend who has a 56 Plymouth savoy maybe next year could compare the three
@@What.its.like. having owned multiple 59 Ford's with Y block engines I've experienced the oiling issues first hand. Still a great engine if properly maintained.
Very beautiful vintage classics from 1955.
Both really cool cars =)
@@What.its.like. They sure are brother
HAD A '55 CHEV 210, LOVED THAT CAR! WENT IN MIL AND BROTHER TOTALED IT ... THEN I TOTALED HIM!
Wow I’ve heard lots of stories of people’s parents selling their cars while they went to the military I couldn’t imagine your brother totally destroying your car and not wanting to fix it in someway
Thank you so much for your service I really appreciate what you did
Which branch if you dont mind me asking?
Regardless type of industries/cultures (such as automobile, music, computers and so on...), dawning of the golden era is very attractive and telling us brighter future.
I love 50s modern versus today’s version of modern today’s version of moderns like very minimalistic. Where 50s modern was space-age. Even perhaps impressionistic I love the 1950s advertisements The 50s has always been my favorite era 1930s and growing up getting up there I like the 60s to actually every era has positives and negatives about it.
I would take the 1955 Chevrolet over the Ford because I'm more of a GM (Chevrolet) person and those are cars I grew up with. My family had quite a few GM (mostly Chevrolet) cars and still do today (1950 Chevrolet Deluxe, Chevrolet Lumina, 2012 Chevrolet Impala, etc.).
In addition, even if you're not into cars, Chevrolet is likely a huge part of your life because you've probably been in one, owned one, someone in your family has one, or maybe you just see a lot of them on busy streets.
Keep up the great work! :)
After doing this review I honestly don’t know which one I choose if I had a Family I’d probably go with the Ford only because it’s more spacious in the back.. The Ford has some pretty significant shortcomings as well I hate the gas pedal in that car but I think it’s due to the fact that it has three carburetors and it’s a linkage thing it doesn’t feel natural.. The shifter is super sloppy super Duper sloppy like I have a 52 Chevy truck that I just drove down the street I love the shifter and that I don’t understand why it’s good and something and it’s not good and something else I drove another Chevy product and I didn’t like the shifter in that one either it was a 62 something but I’m just gonna leave it at that because that review is coming later and it is a killer car.. that I never thought that I would ever get the opportunity to review let alone drive. That was an awesome experience but I wasn’t in love with that shifter either I like the one in my truck when you put it in a gear it clicks in the gear up I absolutely love that the last couple cars that I’ve driven with standard shift from the 50s and 60s they don’t do that. I totally forgot to mention one of the biggest drawbacks to 55 Chevy products when getting the 265 verse eight it did not offer. In Royal filtration system like we are used to now you could get the car with no oil filtration system or you can often get the oil filtration system but as you saw in the hood was open the oil filter is in a really weird spot you have to change the oil free quickly as well as the spark plugs and points for it to run good. Just speaking from the top of my head the Ford has an oil filter but it’s a weird I don’t know if it’s like a toilet paper roll or a cartridge type cartridge type of Mopar but I’m not sure if Ford went down that route as well.
@@What.its.like. The ford had a cannister oil filter it was a regular element. Frantz made a aftermarket oil cleaner that used toilet paper. You can easily convert the original cannister filters to a spin on unit with factory stock parts.
13:35 As a kid, we had a '54 Ford station wagon (who didn't?).
I'll never forget my dad stopping suddenly and my little sister banging her head on the metal dash. Ah, the good old days !!
Something similar happened to Kelly Bundy (Al’s daughter), and she never was quite the same after that …
The Y block fords of this era run solid lifters that's why the noise.
Awesome information =) thank you so much for sharing that
As with almost any make or model, it would be a tough choice for me personally if I had to choose only one to have. I've always been a car lover from a primarily aesthetic point, although it is interesting learning of the engines and performance aspects, and I can really appreciate a lot of different ones as far as that is concerned. I've always found both of these makes and models extremely beautiful 🤩 I think these comparison videos are awesome!
=) I’m glad you dig this episode more like it are coming =) outside the box comparisons
very very nice job. I really would like to see the crown vic compaired to the belair. I know it was not available to you but it would be interesting especially with the glass roof on the ford they offered
Thank you so much glad you enjoyed this episode
nice job. very informative.
Thank you so much did you like the format in which it was shot like talk about a point and then go to the other car and talk about the same point.. because I wanna do more of these videos I think that format works the best but I was just curious what did you guys think?
Ford 239 overhead V8 came out in 1954 and 1955. 272, 292 1955. 312 came out 1957. I have owned all of this in my Ford trucks. Great fair comparison. The 1955 Ford should have been 3 on the tree, not a floor shift. Thanks Chicago 25, 6 2 4
Thank you for that correction I knew that just don’t know why I said that lol
You got the song =)
I think 312 was the “Thunderbird Special V8” in 1956 Fords. I know for sure the 312 was available in Mercury cars in 1956.
My first car was a 55 ford custom. Always loved the grill. The crown Victoria had the prettiest trim in my opinion. I never could see the speedometer at night.
I still can’t get over how much more space is in the ford vs Chevy the seats fold more in the ford as well
why not it was back lit at night just turn up the
dash lights
I remember my dad (in our 1954 Ford wagon-same speedo, same turn signals) being really impressed with the "half moon" speedometer, and that he thought it was the bees knees that the sunlight backlit the speedometer. I was five, so I don't know if it was wonderful or awful, just that dad thought it was good.
The ‘55 T-bird had that half-moon speedometer, too, but it registered to 150 mph - obviously for looks, only …
I love the comparison format … and I really like the way you broke it down. Of the 55/56/57 generation Chevys, the 55 is my favorite. BUT, I would take the Ford. I just think it’s prettier and more comfortable.
Thank you I want to do more comparison videos so I’ll keep this format =)
MUCH NICER Grille And Rear Tail Design Looks On The Ford BY FAR...
First On Race Day made me like and subscribe. Good video. That Ford needs the clutch adjusted or is wore. Also I could be wrong but I don't think those cars came with floor shifters so that's probably a sloppy J.C.Whitney shifter or the equivalent. More than likely that car was originally three on the tree. Also that tri power setup is more than likely the cause of the throttle issues cause they usually aren't like what you described.
Yeah the ford was customized I’m pretty sure it would be three on the tree build quality is way better on the ford especially the hood once you felt the ford good and then did the Chevy hood Chevy hood felt cheap..
Ford introduced their overhead valve V8 in 1954. It was a 272 cubic inch. that was also the base V8 in 1955. The 292 was the Thunderbird and police interceptor engine.
Thank you so much for all the added information I really appreciate it.. =) and corrections
I'd forgotten all about that, but you're correct!
..nope, incorrect..the 1954 Y-block was 239 cubic inches(same displacement as the outgoing flathead V8, but with different bore and stroke)..the 272 was introduced for 1955, although, apparently, the 239 was still available early in 1955..292 was introduced in '55 as the Thunderbird V8 as well..but in '54, only the 239 was available...
A little information on the 55 Chevy BelAir, the 2 door sedan had a price of $1863 with a 6 and $1,962 with a 265 V8 of which 168,826 were made. The Belair 4 door sedan was $1,907 with a 6 and $2,006 with a V8 of which 340,222 were made, the BelAir 4 door wagon was $2,237 with a 6 and $2,336 with a V8 they built 25,772, the BelAir convertible was $2,181 with a 6 and $2,280 with a V8 and 42,278 were built, the BelAir 2 door hardtop was $2,042 with a 6 and $2,141 with a V8 and 189,269 were made, the Nomad wagon was $2,571 and 8,386 were sold in 1955.
Thank you so much for all of that and added information I really appreciate you taking the time to share this. =)
@@What.its.like. my pleasure been around tri five Chevys my whole life.
That overdrive handle LOCKS OUT the overdrive.
There was a switch under the dash which allowed/disallowed the overdrive (that's the electrical part).
When you were driving along, at about 45 mph, assuming the overdrive lever was IN, and the overdrive switch was OFF, the car would "free wheel."
If the overdrive lever was IN, and the overdrive switch was ON, you'd let off the gas, and a small "clunk," and you'd be in overdrive.
If you pull the overdrive lever OUT, then there was no "freewheel" and the clunk into overdrive would not happen.
I drove one of the overdrive models for many years; and thought it was wonderful. Remember back then, most cars, cruising at 45 mph was the norm (before the interstate system was in), so being able to let off the gas, clunk, and get another 8 or 10 mpg of speed without winding the engine was a real benefit. Also remember, back then 4,500 RPM was "screaming."
Thank you so much for sharing this clarification and taking the time to explain how it works
Gotta go with the Ford. Excellent comp.
=) thank you glad you liked this one more like this coming
I'd have to go with the Ford Customline too. No way do I have enough money to afford a 55 Bel Air.
I wanted to make NADA part of this as well and talk about depreciation but that is kind of sort of almost a conflict of interest, The market is all over the place right now I will say that 55 Belair is about double the price of the customline but I don’t feel like it’s double the car.. The Ford is definitely nicer as far as space goes
Next week I might do is this versus that versus something else as well I want to compare a Lincoln mark five and I know the mark five does not compare with the 76 El Dorado but I don’t have a mark v and want to compare both of those cars to a Mercedes 450 SL a car that I don’t understand.. I am going to do an episode on the 450 SL I’d do not understand that car 1976 that car cost 18 grand It’s not fast it doesn’t get good gas mileage it doesn’t handle all that well it was super overrated then and frankly I don’t get it.. The crazier part is they made that car from 1973 to 1980 virtually unchanged that’s what Europeans did they just produce the same car forever and then changes the price tag changed however by 1980 that car cost $31,000 which was equivalent to $126,000 in today’s money FOR WHAT.. overrated car
I've owned them both, daily drivers both. Good cars both.
Awesome =)
First
On
Race
Day
To brake down!!!!
Eh.. depends on what your up against there are cars less reliable than fords
@@What.its.like. It's an old school re-action.I'm 61 and grew up in the era of being able to bust balls and defend the honor of my brand.
But the reality is there are so few GOOD examples of 30's thru early 70's classics out there.We actually have to come together as car enthusiasts and protect one another and the hobby.Dont get me wrong,if I'm behind the wheel of the BBC Nova and some clown is get'n froggy,,,,,it's on.LOL Too many classics got wrecked,are in a garage being "preserved",rusted out,parted out,OR lay undiscovered.It's time again to "run what ya brung". And get the younger gen ink-terested in some-thing,,,,Like NEAT OL CHEVY'S,,,,er sumptin,,,hehehaha.Old habits die hard,,,,
You present the cars,,,like theres no feelings.My friend theres no embarasement to like one over the other.EVEN THO you try to hide your enthusiasm ,,,I can see.There in lies the beating heart of a car LOVER
Even if you had a fully loaded Crown Victoria compared to a base 55 Chevrolet, I believe the Chevrolet would still be my choice.
The dimensions, lines and styling from any angle make the Chevrolet a rolling masterpiece of American engineering, IMO. Completely different vibe between the two. Guess I'm biased because my dad owned a fully restored 1957 (with posts) while growing up and my wife's mother owns a 55 Bel Air 2-door in TX. Very cool comparison video 👍
=) thank you for getting this comparison a lot of people didn’t get it because it’s a hard top versus sedan comparison A lot of people didn’t get this comparison but I did this comparison for the people that are just getting into the car hobby I don’t know the difference between a hardtop and a sedan
@@What.its.like. I believe what classifies a car as a "sedan" are door-affixed frames around the door windows.
Nice, fairly thorough comparison. The Chevy “pops” in red. The Ford looks kind of average. As you mentioned, if you had a Victoria or other high trim level Ford in red it may have looked better. It’s interesting to me that Chevy WAY outsold Ford even though the Ford was cheaper and could have a more powerful engine. Advertising might be the difference
The thing that gets me the most is the Ford is bigger than the Chevy is it doesn’t look that way it looks like the Chevy is bigger than the Ford by a lot.. The other thing is the Ford is bigger in the cabin region I think that’s where all of the extra length goes I wasn’t joking when I said the seat is easier to get into the Ford than it is in the Chevy that was an accident or staged or anything that was me actually showing you what it was like to get in these cars.. I have a really awesome comparison coming up and I wish I could tell you about it I’m hoping to get the opportunity to race these cars tomorrow it would be epic it would be next level because I honestly don’t know which one would win in a race..
With 52% of the market in those days, giant GM was just simply able to give buyers more for their money...
Then look at 34:10 here to see what Chevy had in '57 !!!:
th-cam.com/video/vWdF3L_qxTk/w-d-xo.html
Chevy also had a sexier front end while Ford just carried over lots of their styling from the year before, dashboard same thing.
..well, the '55 Ford was a good looking car, BUT..let's face it, it was no '55 Chevy!...and the Ford still had an antiquated 6 volt electrical system, the Chevy had 12 volt for '55...and, although there were teething problems in the early 265 Chevy v8's, it was a very solid design, and designed for growth..the Ford Y-block had a reputation for oiling problems, and could not go much beyond the 312 for displacement..Ford while a good car, was rather conservative and ho-hum from the mid '50's to mid '60's...and just do some research on current(and historical) values for '55-'65 Fords and '55-'65 Chevys..other than limited production special models, Fords can generally be bought much cheaper than compareable Chevys of the same vintage...
@@dyer2cycle - Yeah, Ford used a 6 volt instrument panel operated via a voltage dropping resister until about 1965... when finally went to 12 volt instruments...
One of Ford's great ideas back then was to put the ignition switch next to the headlight switch. Hardly any Ford owner left his lights on.
Yeah I never thought of that I thought it was weird when ignition is on the left
ONE OF THE BEST!
Thank you =)
1950's and car makers were still trying to satisfy the post WWII demand. So things got a little sloppy at the automated boring press for Ford V-8 engines and instead of stopping to clean the crap off the cutters every once in a while, they'd run them til they jammed. That meant a lot of engines were OVER BORED yet had standard pistons and ring. YES - they burned as much oil as gas (almost). In 1957, my mom was "given" a 55 ford V8 wagon. At 11, I was head of the house (no dad), my FIRST job every day was to put oil in it. It took a couple quarts a DAY.
Great story thank you so much for sharing =)
Cool video, but a few corrections. 1) The 55 Ford is supposed to 6 volts, not 12, 2) the 292 was made available later in the model year. Early 55s only had the 272 3) The gearshift is supposed to be on the steering column 4) 55 was Ford's 2nd year for Overhead valves. Still, its nice to se someone as young as you interested in classic cars.
Thank you for those corrections I was born way too late trying to keep this information out there for anyone that wants to get into the classic car hobby
I was gonna say, " where's the hood ornament"?
“This steering wheel doesn’t telescope or tilt, it impales.”
It’s still not as bad as the Jaguar XK 120 steering wheel haven’t done one for the channel yet but that one will literally impale you for
One more thing, J, the transmission clutch and shifter, the engine tri power and throttle linkage on the Ford is NOT OEM "original equipment manufacture" at all. It is aftermarket. Please reply. Dave...
Thank you Dave I wasn’t sure if it was a factory installed option or aftermarket thank you for clearing that up =)
That took me back -- my 1st car was a '55 Chevy Bel Air V-8, in beautiful Aqua Blue & White, but fortunately with a 3-on-the-tree. It had about 40,000+ good miles on the odometer and I probably added close to 60k more. It's one & only fault was it burned a quart of oil about every 3-400 miles. I still think it's the best looking 50's Chevrolet -- simpler & cleaner looking than the '57. One note re: entry/exit from the rear. Remember, this was a "hardtop-convertible", thus its added stiffening due to a lack of a B-pillar, gave it a similar, cramped rear to the convertible. In the Ford's defense, its interior was close to the Bel Air's if you had a top-line Fairlane 500 to compare. I just wish I'd been able to hold onto mine -- a friend's brother bugged me for years to sell it to him and a week after I gave up and did so, he totaled it.
Great story thank you so much for sharing except for the part where your brother totaled it that part was sad but it happens sometimes
this was an outside the box comparison I have a comparison video coming out it should either air maybe tomorrow or the next day two more beach boys car episodes coming in working on one now super cool car 1965 corvette sting ray but not just any sting ray a fuelie.. it has rained the last two days so I haven’t been able to drive that one yet I’m not sure if I really want to.. I shouldn’t say I haven’t I have drove it but I haven’t drove it fast on the road.. i’m not sure if I want to it’s a six figure car very rare six-figure car they only made 771 fuel injection stingrays in 1965 rare color and options it’s like 1 of 177.. Dennis Collins would say the holy grail car.
I’ve been waiting to post the comparison video that I’m talking about for a while because I’m trying to set up a really epic sort of race I guess.. I will never ever get this opportunity again I don’t think because feel injection stingray is rare the other car is rare and if your a beach boys fan you can probably put the rest together.
Some other comparison videos that I would really like to do is 76 Cadillac Eldorado and Lincoln mark five I know that they were different time periods but in 77 Cadillac Eldorado actually got smaller..
I really wanna do the factory five cobra and the dodger viper.
I eventually want to do a three for and compare Lincoln mark five Cadillac Eldorado Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
But I have to review all 450 SL before I do those other two cars that car doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever. I’m talking about the Mercedes it’s not fast it’s actually pretty slow it makes 180 brake horsepower SL stood for super light.. but I don’t recall a car weighing close to 4000 pounds being light to put it in perspective that Mercedes weighs 3955 pounds with a hard top the top is removable. Go to put it in perspective 1962 bubble pop Chevy weighs less than that Mercedes 1965 Chevy Corvette weighs less than that Mercedes.. my Honda Odyssey minivan weighs 400 pounds more than that Mercedes, The real kicker is they made that car from 1973 to 1980 I’ve done lots of research I’m planning on doing this episode real soon but I haven’t shot it yet, The real kicker is the price they made the car virtually without any change in the 1980s that car cost $31,000 which is equivalent to $126,000 today FOR WHAT?? So put that in perspective you could buy a Cadillac Eldorado as well as a Lincoln mark five and still have money left over and I would pick either one of those cars over that car.. just doesn’t make sense to me. What am I missing
I owned at '55 Ford w/272 c.i.V8 & Fordomatic in '60. Before going in the Navy I pulled the oil pan to inspect & replace the rod & lower main bearings. One rod bearing was down to the copper unlay indicating the original top layer babbitt was completely worn off. These engines were notorious for loosing oil pressure as the milage increased eventually causing engine failure due to low oil pressure. With only an "idiot" oil light vs an oil gauge you would never know that oil pressure was nearing minimum pressure requirements. The problem was the inexpensive gear type pump installed at the factory which would normally wear dropping pressure as mileage increased. I was surprised that the new OEM pump I bought from Ford (to replace my original gear pump) was a rotary vein pump muchlike Chrysler used in many/most of their engines. Rotary vein pumps (from my experience) maintain full pressure requirements until they fail to prime on startup indicating immediate replacement i.e. zero oil pressure or red oil light telling you not to run the engine.
Thank you so much for your service I still can’t get over the bean counter decision of taking a physical gauge and replacing it with a light never made sense to me still doesn’t I’d much rather have a gauge.
In high school, my friend had (well, his DAD had) a '55 Chevy which he was allowed to use.
We used to go to Bob's Big Boy (a So. Cal. hamburger joint; a few still exist), and they had car hops-girls on roller skates.
Our favorite was Mary, and she looked in the window of his car, and said "OH!, a pundler !"
Huh? Yeah, you have a pundler, and most people have a "prenundel" !
Huh again? Yeah, Your '55 chevy is PNDLR (pundler), and most people have PRNDL (prenundel).
See folks, you learn something every day. Extra credit: eventually the pundlers were outlawed !!
[edit: fix typo]
Hahaha that’s great thank you so much for sharing this =)
I actually liked the pundlers better …
You are having fun today! - I have a model of the 1955 Chevy, but the Ford is 1956.
That was a couple days ago
@@What.its.like. Well...you know what i mean! 🤣
1954 was the first year of the Ford's Y-block V8. It was 256 cubic inches. The next year the engine size was 272 cubic inches.
The '54 Y-block was 239 cu. in.
@@lostsoul3154 Thanks. The first y-block in a Mercury was a 256,
Here's the thing: Ford has stumbled through a couple of dozen different engine designs since 1955; and right now you could look under the hood of a Corvette (0r any of a thousand race cars) and find a derivative of exactly the same engine that's under the hood of that '55 Chevy.
Yeah they both had some good ideas and some bad ones too ford triton 5.4 v8, olds diesel, Cadillac 8-6-4
25:05 Notice the Chevy had the oil filter in a separate canister above the engine.
a) it was an option. A lot of those old Chevys did NOT have an oil filer.
b) it was a pain in the rump, pulling that oil-filled filter out, making sure not to drizzle oil all over the engine.
It was nice when they all finally went to the unscrewable "package" oil filter on the bottom.
That was the biggest flaw to the 265 design in 55 both the ford and Chevy had oiling problems Chevy fixed theirs by 56 ford never really fixed the problem they went to a whole new engine family ford FE
I was just a baby riding in my father's 55 Chevy, with no seat belts. But I did have a car seat with a steering wheel and horn, lol. The car was about five years old by the time I was born, but they kept the car till 1967 when my father got a new 1967 Ford Fairlane with a 289 V8.
Great story thank you so much for sharing =)
The Ford just looks old and frumpy inside and out compared to the Chevy and that's not trim level differences. If rear seat access bothers you then buy a 4 door; personally I much prefer the look of most 4 door cars anyway.
Some four-door hard tops look weird like we just got a 56 Buick century and it looks almost like it’s squished
my first ride 1963 Ford customline 3 on the tree FLATHEAD V8.............still remember the sound of that motor!!!!!!!!
Ford engines sound different than everything else Especially flatheads and Y blocks
Actually overdrive is engaged when the handle is pushed in. To lock out overdrive, pull the handle out.
Thank you so much for that correction I never drove a car with one I didn’t notice the overdrive when I drove it.
Buttons Switches and Knobs oh my! 😱
=)
@@What.its.like. Glad you approve of my little parody of The Wizard of Ooohs and Ahhhs! 😁
I always liked the two tone colors of the fifty's on both of these cars. One of my favorites was the bumble bee black and yellow.
Did you see the highlighter colored 56 in background
@@What.its.like. Yes, Bueatifiul car.
Yeah, my great uncle had a black and yellow '57 Dodge. Looked liked one of those big black and yellow garden spiders. My brother and I thought it was really cool.
You have a post car in the 55 ford but for the 55 Chevy you are using a hard top. Two different cars, should of used a Chevy 2 door post 210 or 150
I did this comparison for people just getting into this hobby who don’t know the differences between hardtop and sedan
The base V8 in 1955 was a 272. The optional V8 was a 292. With a 4-barrel carburetor it got the "Thunderbird Special" valve covers. the 312 V8 became an option, I believe, in 1956. The tr-five Thunderbirds all had the 292 V8 in 1955, but in 1956 they got the 312 V8 option, but the base Thunderbird still had the 292 through 1957. The 292 was also used in full-size Fords into the early 1960s and in Ford Trucks, a few years after that.
This Ford originally had a column shift as you can see the hole in the dash where the shift tube would go through. Instead, they have the wiring harness for the add-on turn signal switch going through it now. I don't think that I'd ever seen an add-on turn signal switch on these cars before.
The Ford V8's were a bit more powerful than the Chevy V8's and in this generation always more cubes. The horsepower race was on. The Fords generally had better acceleration when equipped with a Ford-O-Matic. Because it was a 3-speed automatic, when starting up in 1st, it would have left the PowerGlide equipped Chevy in the dust as the Chevy was still creeping off the line.
Weight or size may not always be a factor in how easy a car is to push. Tires, suspension and alignment has more of an affect. Take your favorite car, the Mercedes-Benz 450SL. I've had to push many into the shop to work on them and, by far, they are the hardest cars to push, especially when eve a slight incline is involved. A 3-ton Rolls-Royce was easier for me to push, and believe me, I've pushed more of those into the shop than I care to remember.
I’m going to do a video on that one eventually but man I just don’t get that car. They said it was light weight.. I can’t recall anyone saying their 3,955lbs car was light my van weighs 4,300lbs and I have drove it I can say that my Honda van is faster than it by a lot. That would be fun to show but probably won’t happen. I just don’t get that car.
Thank you so much for the insight and corrections =)
The Ford-O-Matic is a 3 speed, but you have to manually shift to use 1st gear. In Drive it starts in 2nd gear. These had no rear pump to sense driveshaft speed, so when you let off the throttle it would just coast with no engine braking. Having learned with a manual trans, I found it difficult not having any engine braking. You could also not push start them.
@@loboheeler Yes, the original Ford-O-Matic was a 3-speed, which normally started in 2nd gear. Around 1956, automatic kickdown was added so if you floored it from a stop or soon after, it would automatically kick down into 1st gear.
Yes, they DID have rear pumps and could be push-started, even after they were upgraded to Cruise-O-Matics which had the option of starting in 1st or 2nd gear. Transmission repair was a field I specialized in and I can't begin to count the number of Ford automatics I've overhauled.
In 1959, with the Cruise-O-Matic being the main Ford automatic, Ford introduced an aluminum-cased new Ford-O-Matic, which was a 2-speed automatic. It was used in Edsels, Falcon's, Comets and 1964 1/2 Mustangs. It was the only automatic available behind the small 6's and 260 V8's. This automatic also had a rear pump so it could be push-started or even towed without fear of damaging the transmission. Here is one that is for sale: www.ebay.com.au/itm/153329782888
Ford's next generation of aluminum-cased automatics, C4 & C6 eliminated the rear pump. 1965 was about the last year, outside of Mercedes, that most automatics had a rear pump. 1966 was a new era. Mercedes used a rear pump for decades more.
My thoughts are the 265 and 283 chev motors were vastly superior to the Y block motors of Ford.
21:40 But remember, it was mostly KIDS getting in and out of the back seat.
One of the tightest back seats to date
My dad always like the Fords having the key on the left, because you could reach in the window, and start the car-something you could NOT do on the GM products.
Interesting I never taught of that =)
Yeah, but you had to be mindful that those cars didn’t have clutch switches in the starter circuit … If you reached in and started a manual transmission equipped car that was in gear, the thing could start and run away, and even fairly fast if the choke was partially pulled out.
The results could range from comical to downright disastrous …
@@sking2173 💯 true.
YEP THAT IS CHICAGO , SAW THEM IN PERSON AT THE SARATOGA WINERY AUG. 2017 !!!!
Awesome =)
I'm old enough to remember these cars and the culture that chose which one was "cool" and "not so cool." That pillar that separated the front and back windows was for Grandpa only. The only way to be "proper" was to have NO pillar. The pillar was a sedan and no pillar was a hardtop.
=)
One of the reasons for the Chevy weighing more is probably the heavy, cast iron cased, slip and slide Powerglide automatic transmission. Anyone who has ever driven a Chevy with a Powerglide that has over 80,000 miles on the car will know why these transmissions got the name slip and slide.
Yeah I wonder how much that transmission weighed the only hydra matic was the heaviest automatic transmission ever put in a car. The transmission was made of cast iron I read somewhere =)
@@What.its.like. - The powerglide had a cast iron case from 1950 until 1963.
Personally, I always had good luck with the powerglide. They weren’t super-efficient like the automatics are today, but gas was dirt-cheap back then …
OK... The Chevy is the "top of the line" Bel Air auto powerglide, factory specs. The Ford Customline is only the second trim from bottom level not Crown Victoria "top of the line". The Ford has been "customized" . The floor shift, the 3/2 carburetors, removal of the hood ornament, repainted dashboard is NOT factory spec at all. These 2 cars are not being compared on the same plane.
I said in the beginning it’s not a fair comparison it’s an out of the box comparison like if one had the chance to buy a bel air or customline. The Chevy is $60k car the ford is 34k car is the Chevy worth twice as much I don’t think it is
Was a young lad in 1957 and got an entry level job in a local independent car repair. Remember both makes quite well. The '55 Chev had the 265 inch V8 standard with a 2 barrel Rochester and the Powerpack came with a 4 barrel. Powerglides where dogs off the line due to the 2 speed trans but kick down to passing gear after 25 mph would set you back in the seat. Ford offered the 272 inch V8 Y-block and a 292 inch with a crazy 4 barrel as optional. Both engines were very similar and probably the uneducated person could not tell the difference by appearance but performance was better with the extra 20 inches and carburetion. Curiously, Ford added a few more HP to each engine if bolted to the Fordomatic 3 speed trans. The '55 had a 6 volt system changing to 12 in '56. The '55 Ford was a refinement of the '54 - (first OHV Y-block engine with 239 inches, ball joint suspension), more engine choices, better ride, etc. The '55 Chev was totally redesigned from '54 so it was natural for it to have a few more growing pains such as oil leaks and consumption, ignition problems (spark plug wires where touching hot parts of the block and chaffing).
Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing that information =)
The Ford has been nosed and decked.
Yeah this customline has been customed
Love the classic 🚗 🚘 🚔 🏎 🚗.
Me too =)
13:11 LOL
funny guy without trying
Note/ when I pushed them I thought knowing well they were extremely light by at least almost a ton compared to modern vehicular examples, that it is easier for you as you are a very large and strong farm boy. (That’s also a compliment )
Haha That was easier to shut then say a mark III Continental/Lincoln/ford depending on what source read
Actually Ford also made a 254 Y block. It was used in trucks. I happen to have one in the collection.
Thank you so much for that correction =)
We had one of the Fords 4dr when i was a kid.. Ours had the straight 6 with three on the tree. We lived in San Francisco at the time so the breaks got a good workout. They never failed to stop straight even on the steepest of hills. We had it for three years and it only required tune ups and oil changer. Very Economical to use. Sadly it got totaled by a drunk driver one night while parked. Ours had optional seat belts. The car who hit ours didnt. You can guess the outcome.
Oh wow everyone was OK though right because at the end of the day that’s all that really matters the cars can be replaced.. Still sucks it happened at all though cause I totally know what that’s like
I thought you did well in doing a comparison video. Including the push test. 😀
I seems a difficult thing to me. Keeping things straight as you go from one to the other.
Could be smoother and more concise, maybe. But it goes with your style and that's a good thing.
You exited the rear of the Chevy saying it was like being reborn. 😂😂😂 extra points for that.
Thank you for doing this.
Oh yes ... Chacago, 25 or 6 2 4
So funny backstory I intended on this going up around 6ish.. the way I shot this and finished product isn’t the same lots of cuts and moving around but this was the second shot it took me 4ish hours to edit it the first time. I saved it but for some reason it was gone I was able to redo it (just had to re edit because it was gone still have all the footage and slides with specs) it only took 3 hours the second time.
@@What.its.like.
Ahhhh, the art and tedium and frustration of making and editing a video. (Especially the editing, to me.)
I have some experience. Just a little though.
Thanks for sharing the experience with me.
No worries =) I was super frustrated the rest of this week is beach boys week =)
@@What.its.like.
Cool, thanks for sharing.
GM person to the core, but I'll take a 55/56 Ford 2 door ranch wagon any day of the week. 🤜💥🤛
Awesome =)
The back seat of the Bel Air was lots more fun.
Both of these are fantastic. Along with the Plymouth, American styling, engineering, and build quality were all great in 55. A total transformation from the less glamorous 54 models. I think 55 has to be one of the best years of all time. For me personally, I could go either way on these. Generally I lean GM, but 55 and 56 Fords are some of my absolute favorite cars of all time. There's something handsome and friendly about them. At the same time, the Chevy definitely has the sporty looks and is a great design in its own right.
According to a book I have, Encyxlopedia of American cars 1940-1970 by Richard M Langworth and the editors of consumer guide (I'd recommend getting it on eBay, copies are pretty cheap and it offers production numbers based on body style), 55 Bel air production broke down
168,313 two door sedans
345,372 four door sedans
24,313 four door wagons
8,386 two door wagons (Nomad)
41,292 convertibles
185,562 sport hardtop coupes
I need to get a copy of that do you know of any other good car books that have articles and then pros and cons
@@What.its.like. Sometimes you can find used car buying guides on eBay, but they're all from the 80s and newer. Aside from that, finding old reviews or articles is down to getting old magazines. I've had luck finding some online over the years.
As far as the encyclopedia of American cars, there are quite a few entries in that series that cover different dates. 1940-1970, 1939-1980, 1930-1996, and 1930-2006. I have each of these and there's no difference, aside from covering more and more years. It has a section that goes through the company history and discusses the model changes. And then it has a section that covers the individual make model and body style price, shipping weight, and production numbers along with the basic engine stats.
Another good series is the Standard Catalog of American Cars, which has a version that covers all cars built prior to 1946, and another that covers them after that year. Those are much more technical reference books that get into details regarding more mechanical details like the brakes. There is also Standard Catalog for pickup trucks and import cars which follow the same formula.
Awesome information =)
Proper matchup is actually Chevrolet BelAir vs Ford Fairlane.
The Ford's V8 was in its second year as it was introduced in 1954. The common Ford V8 was 272 CID. You could have a 2 bbl carb and single exhaust or get it with a power pack that included a 4 bbl carb and duel exhaust.
Totally agree didn’t have either of those models but I still wanted to do this match up I have another matchup video coming that is totally awesome don’t think anybody’s ever done it before.. =)
The 4 bbl carb was a Holley tea pot carb. and they used a dual advance dist and did not work very well. A 57 dist and larger 57 2 bbl carb would out perform a Tea Pot setup.
20 5 or 6 2 4 by Chicago. Summer 1970. I remember it well. Now my take. Very good review of these cars. I really enjoy your videos. Chevrolet did offer the Bel Air in a 2 door sedan body style. The window glass is the same in post models there is no additional framing on the glass. If the Ford was a two door hardtop, it too would have the chrome around the window like the Chevrolet. The framing around the glass on two doors model cars were phased out in the later part of the 1960's. One of Ramblers selling points was they still were framing the glass with chrome on two door hartops while other manufacturers were phasing them out. Doglegs on cars. Here is some reference for that. If you note that both cars have vertical posts. That was mid fifties. As the decade wore on the a post was what they call a reverse slant. You can see that on Fords starting in 1957, Thunderbird 1955. Chevrolet started using reverse slant A post in 1958. It is the reverse slant A post that will catch your knee because it intrudes way more then a vertical A post. Stylistically manufacturers started to phase out reverse A post in 1959 and they were completely gone by 1963. Corvette in 1963 as well as Chevrolet trucks. Thunderbird utilized a reverse A post in 1960. The rest of the Ford line abandoned reverse A post in 1960 models. Surprising because Ford was always shiwing Thunderbird influence in their mainstream cars, hence the tailight treatment you described on the 55 Ford. Chrysler never really got into the reverse A post game. They were still able to have a wrap around windshield which was all the rage whichout a huge dogleg to contend with. I watched a film meant for car salesman to sway the customers with. They called the reverse A post a safety feature. They showed a car with a vertical post pull up to a corner with a person getting ready to cross the street. It shows the the post made them invisible by the way it lined up. Then they said look at the car with a reverse A post. You always see everything. Like vertical and reverse A post, fins also ran their course with Cadillac being the last to completely abandon them in the 1990's. Yes I know that will get people started, but Cadillac never completely got rid of them. They just weren't ginormace anymore. There were no vanity mirrors on base cars back then. Maybe on Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial. Studebaker made a big fuss about there vanity mirror option in 1963. In 1955 Ford offered safety features not available in most other cars such as padded dash and seat belts. That was part of Fords Safety Lifeguard campaign. Even the steering wheel was what they called deep dish unlike the Chevrolet which had a pointy metal horn center just waiting for your skull in an accident. Side mirrors even on the driver's side were optional either through the factory or dealer. All two door cars utilize the split seat back feature for entrance and egress. The Ford seemed to have a better arch for easy access to the back. Anyway keep those videos coming, they are fun to watch.
Thank you so much for enjoying the channel =) thank you so much for all that added information
everybody liked the fords and chevys but for a young man, first car, you couldnt beat a rambler ambassador , FULLY folding front seats. " roving motel"
Hey there Jay, I recently saw a promotional film produced by Ford, for their salesman for these model. They were similar in some instances, but, the Ford was the better and cheaper choice, Ford went on to claim. So this should be interesting.
=)
The reason why the clutch is the way it is it's because the person who has the car must have chose it that way. You can adjust it to your liking. Actually a clutch like that will be burnt up easier on the top than it does on the bottom. I think the backseat of that Bel Air is not the original seat.
Thank you so much for that insight and information =)
My dad had a 55 Chevy back in the day
Awesome
Great job Justin, I enjoyed this video. Brought back many memories. The Chevy is beloved by hot rodders and I am guessing more valuable. The Ford is largely forgotten. My guess is the reason is that 1955 was the first year for the small block Chevy engine, a ground breaking design that stayed in production until the 1980's. The Ford Y block had problems and was replaced in the early 1960's. I would also guess that your issues with the gas pedal, shifter and clutch on the Ford had much to do with the restoration. I suspect an original 1955 Ford would be much more pleasant to drive. The original would most likely be a three on the tree and not a floor shifter? The Chevy two speed power glide was very unsatisfying to drive (I drove many in the 1960's) but was comparable to the Ford offering in the 1950's. The Ford transmission I think was called the Ford-O-Matic which I always found humorous.
Glad you enjoyed this on more comparisons coming =)
55 Chevy had problems with the 265 v8 pistons could crack, spank plugs and wires as well as point needed to be changed on the regular. And didn’t have in block oil filtration
Ah yes, "Ford-O-Matic" was kinda humorous. Always thought the same thing about Buick's "Dynaflow" (WHAT? You're calling the new Buick a Dinosaur?)
=)
Compare them to a 1955 Nash or hudson
One critique. I've driven the 56 Bel-air 2 door post which I owned and the 57 Ford Crown Victoria Astro-liner. After driving the Chevy the body roll in the Ford will give you a panic attack. Both were smooth riding but the Chevy was far more agile and fun to drive. That said a set of aftermarket anti-roll bars would do wonders for the Ford, or the Chevy for that matter. By the way, a two door hardtop is going to weigh more than a two door post. The Ford was more luxy but the Chevy handled far better.
57 ford is totally different than this era ford they are huge in 57 I’d take 55/56 Chevy over 57 ford
I'll take the Ford. I like the styling better and the front grille treatment looks better. Though, like they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just a personal preference.
The song was 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago. Though I was never a big fan of them.
All hail the mighty Led Zeppelin.
Just like the cars I like all kinds of music Chicago has a special place in my heart but I do love Led Zeppelin as well
Chicago 25 or 6 to 4 (The Ford is modified quite a bit. It has that later engine (312) and a floor shifter, which was not available in these cars.)
Yeah it is want to show differences in hard tops and sedans because people just getting into this hobby don’t know the differences, you got the song and band =)
Was the 312 the best ford y block? Just curious if it was
Found on Road Dead...Forked on Race Day....my personal fave Father's Old Rinkled Dink! The Chev has the nicest dash....Also the Bel Air is ahard top as opposed to the Ford being a two door sedan....yeah...like hardtops don't have pillars...sheesh. I've owned a lot of mostly old Chev/Pontiac /Cadillac cars...and am six foot six...so I would step out, move the driver seat ahead then let the passenger into the back...oh...and that Ford has a boatload of aftermarkiet stuff on it ferom the shifter to the carbs...
Some people coming into the hobby don’t know the difference between a hardtop and a sedan That’s why I took the time to explain it
It would be a much more valid comparison if the cars were more alike. The Chevy seemed to be stock. But the Ford had a later engine with what looked like 3 2-barrel carbs. That might explain the gas pedal problem. Also there seemed to be a non-stock shifter on the 3-speed in the Ford, and there might have been a different transmission. Either one might explain the clutch pedal problem. I think a stock Ford would have had the shift lever on the steering column. Opening the hood in both cars was a reminder that life was a bit simpler in those days. Today's cars have a hood release inside the lockable cabin for a reason. The only real take away from the comparison was that the Ford had a better back seat than the Chevy.
Yeah i see your point, this is honestly the only 55 ford customline I’ve seen In person I think it’s interesting that the ford looks smaller but is in fact bigger.. and that space was added to the cabin rear seat is nicer in the ford and you right it would have three on the tree instead of the floor shifter
Did both cars have 6 or 12 volt electrical systems
@@dallasmars2 1955-1956 all cars were upgrading to 12 volt system. Chevrolets were always a 6-cylinder and 6 volt systems up to 1954. 1955, the entire GM fleet switched to 12 volts.
Chrysler, Ford, and the "Independents" were still 6 volt in 1955 especially in their entry level vehicles.
1956, all American cars were 12 volt systems. It reached the point that 6 volts could no longer manage all the accessories being added. Also, the government mandated 12 volt for safety reasons especially regarding lighting.
It’s a 2 door sedan. Also the 55 Chevrolet was offered as a 2 door sedan in all trim levels. Sedans are quieter, due to less wind noise.
Love both cars. I was in first grade when these were in showroom floor. 🤣
Awesome thank you so much for that information =)
Please show each section at a time, so we can compare them
Awesome thank you so much for commenting on that I will do it in this format from here on out =)
The Chevy looks more sporty. The Ford looks more family sedan. The floor shifter looks like it belongs in the Chevy and the 3 on the column belongs in the Ford. Anyway, enjoyed this.
Thank you so much glad to hear you did =)
1954 Was the first year of the overhead valve V-8 in a ford .
Thank you for that correction
The rear seat comparison is not entirely fair. The Ford is a sedan, which had a 1" higher roof overall and was higher over the rear seat than the hardtop roofline. The hardtop roof was lower, all windows were shorted by about 1" and had a more graceful slope to the rear, cutting rear seat headroom. None of the windows on the sedan interchange with those on the hardtop.