Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1955 ford, old car club, car folks

Question
i recently purchase a 1955 ford fairlane automatic. It runs well be i would like to have the engine rebuilt and the transmission serviced. they are both leaking fluid. i also need to convert to 12 volts, repair clock, repair radio and gass gauge. do you know anyone in maryland or close that can do all the work. or do you know how to find someone that can do all the work. this is my first antique car.

thanks for your help

tom malenski
443 250 9279 or email

Answer
I forgot to add, you should join a local old car club - just look in your newpaper for events and go to one of the local "cruise nights" or "show and shines" with your car - people will come right over to meet you and see your car.  Just hang with them for a while, and when you figure out who is worth listening to ask them to recommend someone to do the work you want done - you'll find old car folks are very friendly and helpful.  Just avoid those that are in the hobby to make money or drum up business - that type also haunt the shows - so keep your eyes and ears open, you'll meet some nice folks and get a lot of help.

By the way, it's important to know, your car does NOT need to be in show or even nice condition to take it to these events - all of us like to look at cars in their "as found" state first - before the "improvements" have been made.

Good luck with your car - I just finished redoing an engine job that was done wrong for a widow of an old friend of mine on a 55 Mercury - basically the same car as yours - I was very pleased at how nice it was to drive with everything working right.

Dick