Vehicle Description
1955 Ford Sunliner Convertible
Although more evolutionary in appearance than competitive
offerings, the 1955 Fords featured, for the first time since 1952,
all-new body styling. New Fairlane models capped the Ford line;
they could be easily identified by their distinctive stainless
steel body-side trim, which rolled down off the front fender to a
"vee" on the door, before continuing in a straight line to the rear
of the car.
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, showing off with a
smooth shiny swoop spear on each side, side view mirrors, a rocket
hood ornament, chromed dish wheel coverings, and wide trimmed
curved windshield. Add in classic mid 50's colors like sea sprite
green with snow shoe white, and by now you should be salivating,
hungry for that mod 1950's eye candy, the 1955 Sunliner
Convertible. Soak it up!
Exterior
Starting at the top, we note a pristine tan canvas convertible top
which works flawlessly. This has a clear plastic rear window, and
some surrounding trim at the back of the top. These extend on the
tops of the rear quarters and run to the back of the car. Up front
an egg crate outward from the center V grille, showing spacing
between structural vertical rails, has a very clean and shiny
bumper below, complete with an extra set of vertical additions. Up
top are single brimmed headlights with a small chrome bezel. Just
below in either corner of the grille are large round turn signal
lights surrounded by big deep chromed bezels. 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. This
all resides in a clean and rust free field of snow shoe white.
Moving to the curved windshield, which has pristine chrome
trimmings surrounding the glass, and flanked by chrome side view
mirrors. On the sides of the car straight steel with well minded
gaps is painted more white and is highlighted with a large swoop
spear which started above the headlights, and now runs rearward
dipping down in the mid door section, and then continuing upward
and rearward in shiny smooth form. A Sunliner script is there as
well, and presents in your grandmother's handwriting. Below this
swoop spear is the delineation between the Snowshoe White and Sea
Sprite Green which bathes the bottom end of the car below the belt
line. A stainless shiny rocker trim is present as well as snazzy
fender skirts attached to the rear quarters. Chromed door handles
and covered locks are also there for your visual enjoyment. On
back, 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 small ribs on the edges thrown in
for more bling. These are all wrapped up in wide whites all around.
A shout to the tan top which is pristine and the top cover in aqua
is just beautifully presenting when covering the downed top.
Interior
2 tone with Sea Sprite tuck and roll inserts and Snowshoe White
bolsters vinyl is seen on the door panels, and seats. A split bench
in front and a solid bench in the rear all have this wonderful
treatment. Up front the original dash is all metal and two tone,
Sea Sprite on top and white on the dash front. There is an eyebrow
instrument cluster in front of the driver housing the curved
speedo, and mileage rollers. All pristine controls, and a trio of
round chromed bezeled instruments and radio dial are in the dash
center panel. The original look of the radio is retained but now
has both AM/FM bands with a speaker in the dash. More FORD badging
on the glovebox is all beautifully restored. Black carpet floods
the floors, and all seem simple but very visually effective and
certainly of the period.
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 black and chrome Ford badged valve coverings, and silver
painted upside down dog dish air cleaner cover. This is a 272ci V8
and has a single 4-barrel carburetor on top. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission pushes power rearward to the 3.31 rear axle.
Looking very fine, and a stainless steel exhaust is now on.
Undercarriage
Looking underneath, it is nearly showroom, with the shiny gas tank,
and shiny like new stainless exhaust. Suspension, floor pans 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 and are all painted in gorgeous black shiny
paint.
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 solid boas free 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. On a sunny day there is
no other way to go!
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 all over, and plenty of
chrome trimmings. A head turner, definitely a beautiful example of
the '55 Fairlane. A great driver to boot.
VIN DECODE
U5FC229893
U-272 CUI V8 2BBL
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
C-Sunliner
229893-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76D-Sunliner
COLOR D-Waterfall Blue
TRIM AY-Medium Blue & Light Blue
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.
