Side Graphics and Rear Spoiler

While the 1955 Ford Crown Victoria Glass Top had stainless steel side molding, we elected to do something that highlighted the side and stuck with the flamed-hood theme.

We once again turned to Seth (Zeke, as his signatured work proclaims) at Bruces Street Rods for a gradiated flame effect.

He started by taping off the side molding and working on the flame licks at the rear of the trim. (Hint about next year's project vehicle. In the background is the shell of a 1955 Ford Courier panel delivery sedan. More details later this year.)

After Zeke finished the licks in tape (above), he taped off the parts that wouldn't be painted.

By gradiating the yellow-to-orange-to-red, as done on the hood, the effect effectively splits the side view and lengthens our CV.

The final touch: Adding the gold and chrome badge as well as the Y-Block V8 emblem. One wonders why auto companies aren't so artistic these days. These badges are true gems unto themselves

Now for the spoiler.

The 1955-56 Crown Vics offered a rear "continental" spare tire kit. Nice but not practical for our '06 version, so we went for the modern equivalent -- the spoiler. Not offered on the '06 option list for Crown Victorias, we had to turn to the aftermarket.

We found one that seemed to match the vehicle. Not a "wing" and not the lip spoiler that seems to be designed to make up for a design flaw. The one we found is 53 inches wide, about the same as the trunk lid width, and curved in a way that matches the rear deck lid's left-to-right curve.

We turned to Zeke for both the installation and paint.

After marking the area where the spoiler would be located, Seth taped off the likely flame licks that would wrap around the stantions.

Then, with the spoiler resting on the deck, Seth continues the licks down the lid. Note in the photo below that the spoiler's tip is too low in the front. That's one of the reasons we went to Bruce's Street Rods rather than installing the wing ourselves. They adjusted the wing to match the angle of the lid and built stantion blocks to make the angle OEM style. (Second photo below.)

In the photo above, the spoiler is still in its primer coat. A pint of Ford paint matching our CV was purchased and applied by Seth then clear coated for that better-than-factory look. Owner Bruce English made sure that Seth didn't rub out the clear coat too much. Why? The factory paint job has typical orange peel and to do too much to the spoiler would make it look "added on."

Seth drilled the trunk lid for the spoiler stantions.

Seth carried the yellow-to-red flames from under the spoiler on the stantions to the top of the wing.

The photo below shows how the licks extended to the rear of the trunk lid.

And as can be seen below, the wing's curve matches the deck lid curve for a true factory look.

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