MERCURY–LINCOLN–METEOR DIVISION FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LIMITED Ad. No. 5601955 Meteor models 24-page brochure - The Old Car Manual Project (here)
Meteor automobiles were offered by Ford Motor Company of Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, from:
• 1948-1954, Mercury-Meteor-Lincoln Division, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited, Walkerville, Ontario
• 1954-1961, Mercury-Meteor-Lincoln Division, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited, Oakville, Ontario
• 1961-1963, Meteor part of Mercury line
• 1963-1976, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited, Oakville, Ontario.
The 1955 Meteors, herein, were manufactured at the K-code Oakville Assembly Plant, Oakville, Ontario, Canada and sold through Canadian Mercury-Lincoln-Meteor dealerships as low-priced products in their lineup. They are built on Ford chassis and bodies, with limited Ford running gear, but have notably different grille and molding.
1955 Meteor, Meteor Niagara, and Meteor Rideau models have a large centered "star-in-V" grille feature. Niagara and Rideau also have a unique bodyside full-length bright-metal "meteor-bolt" design molding. The Rideau adds a mid-molding "flash" of contrasting paint colour—Alaska White, Black, Torch Red, or Gold [est]—on Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone paint schemes. Striking!
1955 Meteor Meteor Niagara Meteor Rideau Models
PAGE INDEX Click links or scroll down
• Meteor Bus Coupe 2dr 3pass
• Meteor Two-Door Sedan
• Meteor Four-Door Sedan
• Meteor Ranch Wagon 2dr 6pass
• Meteor Two-Door Sedan
• Meteor Four-Door Sedan
• Meteor Ranch Wagon 2dr 6pass
• Niagara Two-Door Sedan
• Niagara Four-Door Sedan
• Niagara Ranch Wagon 2dr 6pass
• Niagara Ctry Sedan 4dr 8pass wagon
• Niagara Four-Door Sedan
• Niagara Ranch Wagon 2dr 6pass
• Niagara Ctry Sedan 4dr 8pass wagon
• Rideau Club Sedan 2dr
• Rideau Town Sedan 4dr
• Rideau Victoria 2dr pillarless hdtp
• Rideau Crown Victoria 2dr (steel top)
• Rideau Sunliner 2dr conv
• Rideau Country Sedan 4dr 8pass wagon
• Rideau Town Sedan 4dr
• Rideau Victoria 2dr pillarless hdtp
• Rideau Crown Victoria 2dr (steel top)
• Rideau Sunliner 2dr conv
• Rideau Country Sedan 4dr 8pass wagon
1955 Meteor Models & Specs (incld Engs & Trans) - download a print-ready 7-page PDF (here)
1955 Meteor Niagara Models & Specs - download a print-ready 6-page PDF (here)
1955 Meteor Rideau (incld Crown Victoria) Models & Specs - download a print-ready 8-page PDF (here)
A meteor is a meteoroid—a piece of rock, dust, or other mater from outer space—that has entered the earth's atmosphere at high speed and is hot, burning, and crumbling from friction with the atmosphere as it falls to earth. It is incandescent and with its glowing wake of shredding material can be seen streaking across the sky. It is colloquially called a "shooting star" or a "falling star." A meteorite is a particle that has reached the ground.
Single-Tone 03-code Gulfstream Blue Metallic ext paint
1955 Meteor Business Coupe 2 dr, 3 pass
Rear compartment (no back seat) for doctor's bags, salesmen's sample cases, etc., level floor 60.4" wide x 31.9" long
Black rubber windshield & rear window molding, no bodyside molding
Single-Tone or Two-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 114
Model 2-70D $2,064 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,136 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 162-hp @ 4400 rpm, 258 lb-ft torque @ 2200 rpm, 7.6:1 comp ratio, 2-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
Single-Tone 04-code Waterfall Blue ext paint
1955 Meteor Two-Door Sedan 6 pass
Black rubber windshield & rear window molding, no bodyside molding
Single-Tone or Two-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 2,023
Model 2-70A $2,172 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,174 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 162-hp @ 4400 rpm, 258 lb-ft tq @ 2200 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 2-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
Single-Tone 11-code Sea Sprite Green ext paint
1955 Meteor Four-Door Sedan 6 pass
Black rubber windshield & rear window molding, no bodyside molding
Single-Tone or Two-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 2,146
Model 2-73A $2,228 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,216 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 162-hp @ 4400 rpm, 258 lb-ft tq @ 2200 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 2-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires, or
1955 Meteor Four-Door Sedan V-8 - 272 Single-Tone 08-code Arbor Green ext paint Black rubber windshield & rear window molding
Single-Tone 05-code Aquatone Blue ext paint
1955 Meteor Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass, station wagon
Stowaway back seat: bottom tilts up & forward, back folds forward & down as level-floor loadspace, length 74"
Black rubber windshield & rear window molding, no bodyside molding
Single-Tone or Two-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 461
Model 2-59A $2,611 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,443 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 162-hp @ 4400 rpm, 258 lb-ft tq @ 2200 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 2-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 4.09 (opt 4.27) axle, 7.1 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 4.27 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
Meteor Niagara automobiles are named for Niagara Falls, the waterfalls and waterways at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York, United States. Unfortunately, after much research of historical documents, the meaning of the word Niagara itself is not definitive.
Two-Tone 62-code Alaska White (upper) & Arbor Green (lower) ext paint
1955 Meteor Niagara Two-Door Sedan 6 pass
Bright-metal windshield, rear window, drip, beltline, & bodyside full-length meteor-bolt molding
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 3,942
Model 2-70B $2,306 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,196 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
Two-Tone 78-code Waterfall Blue (upper) & Gulf Stream Blue Metallic (lower) ext paint
1955 Meteor Niagara Four-Door Sedan 6 pass
Bright-metal windshield, rear window, drip, beltline, & bodyside full-length meteor-bolt molding
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 9,984
Model 2-73B $2,363 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,236 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
Tr1-Tone H2 (1) code Goldenrod Yellow (upper), Alaska White (mid), Goldenrod Yellow (lower) ext paint
1955 Meteor Niagara Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass, station wagon
Stowaway back seat: bottom tilts up & forward, back folds forward & down as level-floor loadspace, length 74"
Bright-metal windshield, rear window, beltline, & bodyside full-length meteor-bolt molding
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone Colours - downmload a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 431
Model 2-59B $2,715 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,461 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 4.09 (opt 4.27) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 4.27 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
Spring Colour Tri-Tone G2-code Regatta Blue (upper), Alaska White (mid), Regatta Blue (lower) ext paint
1955 Meteor Niagara Country Sedan 4 dr, 8 pass, station wagon
Stowaway back seat divided 2/3 left & 1/3 right. Divided bottoms fold up, forward, & down as level-floor loadspace, & divided backs fold forward & down as level-floor loadspace. As well, with the back folded forward, the whole Stowaway back 1/3 right seat tilts up & forward for rear seat access. Rear Seat (2-pass) w/ back & bottom cushions removed the back folds forward & down as level-floor loadspace, length 82.9."
Bright-metal windshield, rear window, beltline, & bodyside full-length meteor-bolt molding
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 349
Model 2-79B $2,935 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,603 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, single-exh (opt dual), w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 4.09 (opt 4.27) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 4.27 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
Meteor Rideau automobiles are named for the historically significant Rideau River, that flows north from Upper Rideau Lake to the Ottawa River at Rideau Falls in Ottawa, Ontario--146 kilometers (91 miles). Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) a French explorer and founder of Quebec and New France (1608) wrote that Rideau Falls was given the name "Rideau," with English translation "curtain," because of the curtain-like appearance of the falling water. Rideau River was later named after the waterfall.
Single-Tone 05 (1)-code Aquatone Blue (body) & Alaska White (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Club Sedan 2 d, 6 pass
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 664
Model 2-70C $2,461 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,222 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
1955 Meteor Rideau Club Sedan 19-code Tampa Tan (above meteor-bolt molding), 07-code Goldenrod Yellow (below), plus 20-code Black (flash)—a possible special order car.
Tri-Tone H1(3)-code Springdale Green (upper), Forester Green Metallic (mid), Springdale Green (lower), plus Alaska White (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Town Sedan 4 dr, 6 pass
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 2,367
Model 2-73C $2,517 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,268 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
Tri-Tone H4 (1)-code Buckskin Brown (upper), Alaska White (mid), Buckskin Brown (lower), plus Black (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Victoria 2 dr, 6 pass, pillarless hardtop
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 373
Model 2-604C $2,680 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,318 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
Victoria and Crown Victoria automobile names reflect the Victorian era (approx. 1820-1914 and Queen Victoria's reign 1837-1901) horse-drawn carriages that feature a front open raised two-coachman seat, and a rear low-slung forward-facing two-passenger sofa seat protected by a prominent (hooded and folding) calash top. They were hired for fashionable English ladies for city, park, and countryside outings guided by one or two uniformed coachmen. This example is from the Hammann Twistringen Workshop, Germany, 1890-1895. Photo Dreamstime.
Single-Tone 25-code Goldenrod Yellow (body) plus Black (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Crown Victoria 2 dr, 6 pass
"Crown of chrome" molding over steel top
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 141
Model 2-64A $2,810 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3,380 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires,
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
1955 Meteor Rideau Crown Victoria Tri-Tone H3 (1)-code Torch Red (upper), Alaska White (mid), Torch Red (lower), plus Black (flash) ext paint
Single-Tone 22-code Torch Red (body) plus Alaska White (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Sunliner 2 dr, 6 pass, convertible
Electro-hydraulic unit (a motor & oil pump) powered convertible top
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 201
Model 2-76B $2,878 CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt 3.382 lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 3.73 (opt 3.90) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 3.90 (opt 3.73) axle, 6.70 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.31 (opt 3.54) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
1955 Meteor Rideau Sunliner Two-Tone 65-code Alaska White (upper) & Gulf Stream Blue Metallic (lower), plus Gold (flash) [colour scheme not confirmed by editor].
Tri-Tone CL-code Sea Sprite Green (upper), Alaska White (mid), Sea Sprite Green (lower), plus Black (flash) ext paint
1955 Meteor Rideau Country Sedan 4 dr, 8 pass, station wagon
Stowaway back seat divided 2/3 left & 1/3 right. Divided bottoms fold up, forward, & down as level-floor loadspace, & divided backs fold forward & down as level-floor loadspace. As well, with the back folded forward, the whole Stowaway back 1/3 right seat tilts up & forward for rear seat access. Rear Seat (2-pass) w/ bottom & back cushions removed the back folds forward & down as level-floor loadspace, length 82.9."
Bodyside full-length bright-metal meteor-bolt molding w/ mid flash contrasting paint colour
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, or Tri-Tone, plus flash colour Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
Production total 398
Model 2-59C $3,098 [est] CAD FOB Oakville (std eng & trans) Shipping wgt ____ lb
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-ohv, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt, 3-blade fan
Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
• Standard, 10" clutch, 4.09 (opt 4.27) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Overdrive, 10" clutch, 4.27 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
• Opt Merc-O-Matic Dr, 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires, or
Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft tq @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 cr, 4-bbl, dual-exh, w/
Merc-O-Matic Dr (required), 3.54 (opt none) axle, 7.10 x 15" tires
Single-Tone, Two-Tone, Tri-Tone, & Flash Colours - download a print-ready 5-page PDF (here)
. . . continued on pages 2 to 5 (here) NOTE Some Mercury colours are used on Meteors1955 Meteor Engs Trans Clutch Rims Tires Data Plate
1 Engine - 3 Hp Ratings
Meteor V-8 - 272-cid, 90°, 2-overhead-valve, 3.625" bore x 3.30" stroke, 5 main bearings, 6-volt elec sys, 3-blade fan
● Std 162-hp @ 4400 rpm, 258 lb-ft torque @ 2200 rpm, 7.6:1 comp ratio, 130 psi, 2-bbl carb,
single-exh (opt dual) Meteor, all drives
● Std 175-hp @ 4400 rpm, 264 lb-ft torque @ 2600 rpm, 7.6:1 comp ratio, 4-bbl carb,
single-exh (opt dual) Niagara, or dual-exh Rideau, all drives
● Opt 182-hp @ 4400 rpm, 268 lb-ft torque @ 2600 rpm, 8.5:1 comp ratio, 140 psi, 4-bbl carb,
dual-exh Rideau & stn wagon, Merc-O-Matic Dr (required)
3 Transmissions
● Std Silent-Ease Standard (manual 3-spd)
1st, 2nd (synchro), 3rd (synchro), & Reverse
All-helical gears, forged bronze synchronizers
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
● Opt Touch-O-Matic Overdrive (manual 3-spd + auto 4th-spd Overdrive gear)
1st, 2nd (synchro), 3rd (synchro), auto 4th gear (30% lower eng rpm than 3rd), & Reverse
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
Overdrive push/pull T-handle below instrument panel
Lock-in (engage OD) push in T-handle when car is stopped or at any speed & let-up throttle pedal when above 27-28 mph, (auto disengage & downshift to 3rd below 21-22 mph)
Kick-down (to 3rd, for hill climbing or passing) floor throttle pedal, (let-up pedal to auto return to OD)
Lock-out (disengage OD) pull out T-handle when car is stopped or in "kick down" (3rd) operation
Overdrive push/pull T-handle below instrument panel
Lock-in (engage OD) push in T-handle when car is stopped or at any speed & let-up throttle pedal when above 27-28 mph, (auto disengage & downshift to 3rd below 21-22 mph)
Kick-down (to 3rd, for hill climbing or passing) floor throttle pedal, (let-up pedal to auto return to OD)
Lock-out (disengage OD) pull out T-handle when car is stopped or in "kick down" (3rd) operation
● Opt Speed-Trigger Merc-O-Matic Drive (automatic 3-spd)
Low (1st), Intermediate (2nd, Passing Gear), High (3rd), & Reverse
5-Possition Safety-Sequence Selector w/ illuminated indicator dial on steering column
P (Park)
R (Reverse)
N (Neutral) car can be towed up to 12 miles at under 40 mph, otherwise with rear wheels raised
• start engine
DR (Drive)
• start-out in 2nd & auto upshift to 3rd (typical driving)
• start-out at full-throttle in 1st (Speed-Trigger) & auto up-shifts to 2nd (30 mph) & 3rd (65 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to Passing Gear (2nd) (below 65-68 mph & above 17-23 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to 1st (below 17-23 mph)
LO (Low)
• start-out in 1st & hold (up to 35 mph), auto up-shifts to 2nd & 3rd if/when DR selected
• downshift to 2nd & hold (below 60 mph & above 17-23 mph - engine braking)
• downshift to 1st & hold (below 17-23 mph - engine braking)
P (Park)
R (Reverse)
N (Neutral) car can be towed up to 12 miles at under 40 mph, otherwise with rear wheels raised
• start engine
DR (Drive)
• start-out in 2nd & auto upshift to 3rd (typical driving)
• start-out at full-throttle in 1st (Speed-Trigger) & auto up-shifts to 2nd (30 mph) & 3rd (65 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to Passing Gear (2nd) (below 65-68 mph & above 17-23 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to 1st (below 17-23 mph)
LO (Low)
• start-out in 1st & hold (up to 35 mph), auto up-shifts to 2nd & 3rd if/when DR selected
• downshift to 2nd & hold (below 60 mph & above 17-23 mph - engine braking)
• downshift to 1st & hold (below 17-23 mph - engine braking)
"Shifting Gears" Owner's Manual (here)
Clutch
• Semi-centrifugal, dry, single plate
• 10" w/ V-8 eng
• Pedal free travel 7/8 to 1-1/8"
• Semi-centrifugal, dry, single plate
• 10" w/ V-8 eng
• Pedal free travel 7/8 to 1-1/8"
Rims
• Pressed steel, welded
• 15" dia x 5" wide
• 5 lug x 4.5" (114.3 mm) bolt pattern
• Pressed steel, welded
• 15" dia x 5" wide
• 5 lug x 4.5" (114.3 mm) bolt pattern
Tires
• Bias 4-ply
• 6.70 x 15" or 7.10 x 15"
• Tubeless, black sidewall
• Bias 4-ply
• 6.70 x 15" or 7.10 x 15"
• Tubeless, black sidewall
CAPACITIES
Engine Oil 4 imp qt, 5 qt w/ filter
Oil Bath Air Cleaner fill to level mark (approx. 1 imp pint)
Cooling System 16.5 imp qt, 17.5 qt w/ heater, pressure 13 lb
Transmissions Standard 2.5 imp pint, Overdrive 3.5 imp pint, Merc-O-Matic Dr 8 imp qt
Differential 2.5 imp pint
Fuel Tank 14.5 imp gal (cars), 15.5 gal (stn wagon)
IGNITION SYSTEM
6-Volt Positive Ground
Firing Order 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Control full vacuum
Breaker Point Gap .014 to .016"
Spark Plugs size 18 mm, gap .032 to .036"
Timing BTDC 3° (Std & OD), 6° (Merc-O-Matic Dr), max 8-10°
DATA PLATE CODES
1956 Meteor Rideau Victoria Data Plate Sample
FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA LIMITED OAKVILLE ONTARIO
SERIAL NUMBER 264CK56-129517
2 ENGINE TYPE - Meteor V-8 - 292-cid (200/202-hp)
64C BODY TYPE - 2-door Hardtop (pillarless)
K ASSEMBLY PLANT - Oakville (all 1955-56 Meteors)
56 MODEL YEAR - 1956
129517 CONSECUTIVE UNIT NO. (starting at 100001) - the 29,517th vehicle (of all models) assembled so far, at Oakville, for the 1956 model-year
264C MODEL - V-8 Rideau Victoria (2-door pillarless hardtop)
GEB TRIM (INTERIOR) - [not determined by editor]
01 PAINT (EXTERIOR) - Alaska White (plus a bodyside meteor-bolt molding w/ contrasting flash colour)
NOTE Meteor data plates have no Production Code "scheduled for assembly" date—Ford plates have a date.
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1955 Meteor Meteor Niagara Meteor Rideau Specifications
