MAY 2026 - CAR OF THE MONTH STORY – 1954 FORD SUNLINER

This month CAL-RODS is proud to feature Mark and Susan Paulus and their stunning 1954 Ford Sunliner convertible, a beautiful custom classic finished in Metallic Red with a camel leather interior. Powered by a dependable Ford 302 engine, backed by a C4 transmission and Ford 9-inch rear axle, this Sunliner blends classic 1950s styling with solid drivability. Mark completed the look with steel wheels and 1957 Cadillac hubcaps, giving the car a clean and timeless custom style.

The journey to finding this beautiful Sunliner began when Mark traveled to Sylmar to look at a convertible Cadillac, only to discover it was a complete disaster. But as luck would have it, during that same trip he stumbled upon this 1954 Ford Sunliner, and what started as an unexpected find would become a long-term labor of love for both Mark and Susan.

Mark has owned the car for 28 years, and over that time he and Susan have seen the car evolve from a rough project into the eye-catching cruiser it is today. Like many old convertibles, the Sunliner came with serious rust issues. It spent four years in the body shop, where all of the floorboards and trunk were replaced, along with eight inches of the lower body panels, all of which had to be hand-formed and rebuilt. It was a long and sometimes difficult process, but throughout the journey Susan was there beside Mark, offering encouragement, patience, and support every step of the way.