Club History
By Tom Hoskins
Founder, '54 Ford Club of America
My first car in 1959 was a 1954 Ford. I was 15 years old, and my dad paid $350 for the four door Customline. I drove it for four years and dated a pretty girl who eventually married me. I would have preferred a 2 door, but that's they way dads were in those days. I was lucky to have wheels.
While suffering a mid life crisis some 27 years later, I woke up one morning and told this same pretty girl that I wanted another '54 Ford. She said, "You're crazy".
So, in 1986 I bought an original untouched sandstone white over cadet blue Victoria hardtop with 21,500 actual miles on it (a 2 door this time...Halelujah). I decided to restore it to new. As I began the process, I could find very few people who had one. They were like the unwanted step child in the Crown Victoria Association, which had mostly 55's and 56's. I also found that most of the antique parts magazines skipped from 1953, the last year of the flathead, to 1955. In order to get some help, I advertised in the Hemmings magazine and the Old Cars Weekly with an ad that read, "LOOKING FOR 1954 FORD OWNERS. ARE THERE ANY OUT THERE?".
To my amazement I received about 35 replies to my ads. Everyone had experienced the same frustrations that I had. These thirty-five 1954 Ford owners became charter members of the '54 Ford Club of America. So in August of 1986, I formed the club and was the first president. I put out a newsletter and advertised heavily. (These were the days before wide spread internet.) Dues were $8 then. We began growing. By 1992, the club boasted 511 members.
After seven years as president, I asked one of our charter members, John Strobeck to take the presidency. John, like me, had owned a 1954 Ford as his first car in high school. (Lucky man, it was a two door, and John had duplicated the exact car of his high school days.) He was perfect for the job. He graciously agreed and ran the club for the next 15 years. His paying business was taking all of his time so one day in 2007 he called me and asked if I would like to take the club back as president. I was retired by then and he was somewhat bored, and I jumped at the chance.
And that brings us up to date. We are growing, but it seems that 1954 Fords are still as rare as hens teeth. You don't see too many at the shows. That's what makes them so special. I love them with a passion, and I hope anyone who reads this sends in the $20 dues and joins the club. If you are short of cash, just tell me and I will add you anyway.
Tom Hoskins...Founder and President. The '54 Ford Club of America.
Tom Hoskins-Investments
1400 West Mayfield Road
Suite 340
Arlington, Texas 76015
817-466-8088 | 
