Vehicle Description
1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner
The Fairlane became the king of the hill just in time for the
redesigned 1955 model year, and with it arrived a new hardtop coupe
designed to pull sales away from rival GM. It was dubbed the
Fairlane Victoria and, in 1956, Ford upped the ante by adding a
four-door variant to the lineup. With their distinctive shapes,
appealing style, dazzling colors and lavish chrome trim, they're
real standouts wherever they go.
For consignment the quintessential example of mid 1950's car
designer's mantra: Put more chrome on it and it will sell faster.
This example is the definition of that theory, with extra chrome on
each bumper, a continental rear bumper, quadruple ribbed swoop
spear for the trim, and side view mirrors and searchlights, a
rocket hood ornament, chromed spoked wheels, and curved windshield.
Add some red to the interior and you should by now be salivating,
hungry for that mod 1950's eye candy, the 1956 Ford Fairlane
Sunliner Convertible.
Exterior
Starting at the top, we note a pristine black canvas convertible
top which works flawlessly. This has a clear chrome trimmed small
glass rear window, and some surrounding trim at the back of the
top. Upfront a curved grille with its small V shape and horizontal
spacing between structural vertical rails, has a large bumper
below, complete with an extra set of vertical additions and a
curved extra round chromed bar running through these vertical
additions and around the sides of the massive turn signal bezels.
Up top are single brimmed headlights with a small chrome bezel, and
the start of the swoop spear in the top dead center on the front
quarter. A jet age styled hood ornament in more chrome sits in the
center of the hood front, and just below a cloisonne Ford Badge,
near perfectly preserved. Moving to the curved windshield, which
has pristine chrome trimmings surrounding the glass, and flanked by
chrome side view mirrors with searchlights on either side mounted
in front of the mirrors. On the sides of the car straight steel
with well minded gaps is painted in pearl white and is highlighted
with a large swoop spear which started above the headlights, and
now runs rearward dipping sown in the mid door section, and then
continuing upward and rearward in 4 ribbed form. A Sunliner script
is there as well and presents in your grandmothers handwriting.
Chromed door handles and covered locks are also there for your
visual enjoyment. Moving to the continental rear, a beautiful tire
cover in pearl white rimmed in chrome and a wide bumper complete
with that extra round bar supports the spare. Round taillights with
arrowhead back up lights above nestle into small fins from the rear
quarter. Wheel covers are solid chrome with dish styling and some
chromed spokes thrown in for more bling. These are all wrapped up
in wide whites all around.
Interior
2 tone with red and white vinyl is seen on the door panels, and
seats. A split bench in front and a solid bench in the rear all
have white tuck and roll horizontal inserts with smooth red
bolsters surrounded by piping in red. Seat belts are seen, and
upfront the original dash all metal and two tone red on top and
bottom and white in the center, even in the eyebrow instrument
cluster in front of the driver. All pristine controls, and radio as
well as more badging on the glovebox is all beautifully restored.
Red carpet floods the floors and very nice embroidered tri-color
Ford badged floor mats cover the awesome red carpet. A shout out to
the perfect red tonneau cover, which actually fits perfectly over
the top down framing the interior seats.
Drivetrain
Opening the hood is as impressive as the exterior and interior as
to the quality of restoration. Here we see a correct red block with
shiny ribbed valve covers, and chrome upside down dog dish air
cleaner cover. This is a 292ci V8 and has a single 4-barrel
carburetor on top. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission
pushes power rearward to the 3.22 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Looking underneath, it is nearly showroom, with the shiny gas tank,
shiny like new exhaust with Smitty mufflers. Suspension, floorpans
and rockers as well as frame are totally rust free and looking
awesome. Independent coil spring suspension up front, and leaf
springs for the rear along with power drum brakes all around also
show nary a hint of any rust.
Drive-Ability
Another mid 1950's gem, and a must drive, this one did wonderfully
on the test track, and brought a smile to this writer's face upon
completion of said test drive. She fired right up, idled super
smoothly, and took off much like the rocket on the hood. It handled
well, cruised great and smooth, and has good power drum brakes.
Handling was excellent for such a large car, and there was no
creaking when pushing it. A very pleasant overall driving
experience and the top worked flawlessly.
If you like lots of chrome, and the mid 1950's Ford styling, you've
better get in here as this one is just wonderfully restored, and it
is a convertible with a snazzy 2 tone red and white interior. A
head turner, with its extra chrome, and continental bumper,
definitely a beautiful example of the '56 Fairlane. A great driver
to boot!
VIN DECODE
M6EC247004
M-292ci V8 202hp
6-1956
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
247004-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76B-Fairlane Sunliner
COLOR E-Colonial White
TRIM V-Red & White Vinyl
PROD CODE 7C133-March 7th Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
