1959 Ford Customline Sedan

Prior to the introduction of the local Falcon in 1960, Ford Australia marketed locally-assembled versions of both the smaller English Fords and more substantial American V8s, the latter wearing Customline badges (or Mainline in the case of the uniquely Australian utility version). The Customline was Australia's best selling large car during the 1950s, the extra grunt, space and luxury finding a ready market here, particularly with country drivers. In 1955, the Customline was restyled and updated with a new overhead-valve Y-block V8 motor replacing the elderly Flathead (twelve months after it was introduced in the US) along with revised trim, a 12-volt electrical system, plus the option of automatic transmission. In late 1958, a further update resulted in the 'Star' model, named after the grille motif. The V8 Customline was assembled locally but built in Canada, where production ceased in 1957 and by 1959 there were insufficient parts left to continue building the cars, so Ford Australia replaced the much-loved Customline with the Fairlane 500. Thanks to its rapid performance, the Customline was popular with police forces around the country. With plenty of support from local clubs, no shortage of spare parts and tough, reliable mechanicals, the Customline is a great proposition as a classic Fifties sedan today.