Rick and Matt Love had so much fun updating a ’56 Ford they did it twice … but we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Matt and Rick started to build...
Matt and Rick started to build this ’56 Ford as a father/son project. Equipped with a small-block Chevy, the Victoria needed lots of work, but it was off to a good start.
For a lot of veteran street rodders it’s difficult to understand the interest kids have in cars with little engines and big tailpipes, but there are still some young’uns who go to the old school of thought when it comes to a cool ride. Rick Love’s son, Matt, is a great example.
Rick has been involved with cars most of his life as an enthusiast and by profession as vice president of Vintage Air. As he explains it, “Matt had not been the prototypical car kid up to this point. He grew up with Hot Wheels and rides to school in my well-worn ’39 Ford, but he never really had the urge to be out in the garage working on cars. To be fair, he has always been pretty heavily involved in basketball and other sports, so he hasn’t had unlimited free time.
Before ripping the car apart,...
Before ripping the car apart, Matt took measurements to establish tire clearance with the stock brakes.
“I’ll admit I was surprised when we started discussing possible car options. As his 16th birthday approached and he got his driver’s permit, Matt decided that he wanted an old car to drive rather than a pickup or late-model like most of his friends. He had spent some time on the Internet and looking through magazines, and really like the styling of ’50s cars, specifically ’56-57 Chevys.” Unfortunately most of the Chevys fell outside Matt’s budget, but while searching the Internet he came across some pictures of ’55-56 Fords, and decided he liked them as much as the Chevys.
To accommodate the new Fatman...
To accommodate the new Fatman spindles, the stock turning stops had to be removed. One of the toughest tasks, it took a sharp drill, chisel, and a big hammer.
As luck would have it, Rick and a friend had a ’56 Ford Victoria project car that was purchased a few years back. It was a good solid car, but it was basically a shell with a motor that needed just about everything. Bolstered by youthful enthusiasm, the decision was made to build the Ford and it wasn’t long before it was in the Loves’ garage as a father and son project. Together Rick and Matt installed Fatman Fabrications’ new 3-inch dropped spindles, disc brakes with Granada rotors and GM single-piston calipers, a new Mustang II disc/drum master cylinder and proportioning block from Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation, and a power steering gearbox from Borgeson.
Another necessary modification...
Another necessary modification was trimming the bracket that mounts the bumpstop. The black line on a piece of masking take indicates the amount of material to be removed.
Although the project was progressing nicely, Rick could see the handwriting on the shop wall. It was going to take a while to get this car on the road for Matt to enjoy, so he decided to follow his own advice. Rick always tells people to get the absolute best car they can afford for their first hot rod. As luck would have it a friend decided to sell a ’56 Victoria he had restored and owned for over 20 years. A quick look confirmed this was a great car with nice paint, excellent chrome, and a good reproduction interior. Even better, it was running and driving and the time and parts savings would really pay off down the road, not to mention the fact it would have Matt driving and enjoying his first hot rod a lot sooner.
As soon as the second Vicky arrived at its new home Matt was able to take it for a ride—and we all know how exciting driving your first car can be. But proving the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree, it wasn’t long before Fords were side by side in the garage and Matt and Rick began turning a stock restoration into what they both describe as a cool and dependable first hot rod. Here’s how they did it, twice.
They made this special tool...
They made this special tool from 5/8-inch coupler and two 5/8-inch bolts to separate the spindle from the ball joint. The ball joints were fairly stubbon after 55 years. A jack under the lower control arm and a long piece of threaded rod can be used to keep the spring in place during this procedure.
The new Fatman spindles provide...
The new Fatman spindles provide a 3-inch drop and accept disc brake calipers and rotors.
After installing new ball...
After installing new ball joints, the Fatman spindles were put in place. A floor jack was used to support the lower control arm.
Here’s the trimmed plate on...
Here’s the trimmed plate on the lower control arm before the bumpstop was reinstalled.
As delivered from Fatman,...
As delivered from Fatman, the brake kit included calipers, rotors, bearings, seals, hardware, and brake hoses.
The Fatman brake kit included...
The Fatman brake kit included GM single-piston G-body (Chevelle) calipers.
With the steering arm in place,...
With the steering arm in place, the need to modify the lower control arm can be seen.
Included in the brake kit...
Included in the brake kit are braided stainless steel brake lines with special banjo fittings to accept the AN fittings.
The stock steering gear and...
The stock steering gear and column (above) with the Borgeson power box, rag joint, and Pitman arm below. In some cases a new steering column is an option.
The completed brake installation...
The completed brake installation (this is on the second ’56) looks factory and will dramatically improve stopping power.
In stock form, the Fords used...
In stock form, the Fords used a single master cylinder. It will be replaced with a tandem style. With the master cylinder out of the way it was easier to remove the stock column and steering gear.
To use the stock steering...
To use the stock steering column with the new steering gear some modifications will be required. Rather than a rag joint, a steel coupler (Borgeson PN 312500) must be welded to shaft cut off from the original steering gear. The original mast jacket will fit over the coupler allowing use of the stock shifter.
With the firewall gasket removed,...
With the firewall gasket removed, the wiring unplugged, and the dash bracket removed, the mast jacket can be removed from the steering shaft.
The new steering gear bolts...
The new steering gear bolts to the original frame mount and the replacement Pitman arm attaches to the stock centerlink.
To simplify the master cylinder...
To simplify the master cylinder swap, the Loves installed a Prop Block from Stainless Steel Brakes. The distribution block includes an adjustable proportioning valve and a brake light switch.
A pair of new brake lines...
A pair of new brake lines were bent to connect the new Prop Block to the lines leading to the front and rear brakes.
The SSBC Prop Block attaches...
The SSBC Prop Block attaches to the replacement dual master cylinder with two short lines.
The final stop was to tighten...
The final stop was to tighten up the brake lines and bleed the brakes.
This is the second ’56 in...
This is the second ’56 in the Love stable. This one has a Y-Block and a Ford-O-Matic and shortly after this photo was taken suspension and steering parts were being swapped with the first ’56.