Vehicle Description
1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria
The 1955-1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria was the crowning gem of
the bright two-tone and chrome era. One of the most imaginative
cars of an imaginative decade, it took off for the heavens in looks
- but never in sales. 1956 was a great year to be shopping for your
first new car. Chevy finally had a V-8 and looked as cool as Kim
Novak in a stretch-nylon swimsuit. And Plymouth was hotter than the
Cuban Mambo, strutting the first year of Virgil Exner's "Forward
Look" styling and boasting a V-8 of its own. Ford, whose
overhead-valve V-8 was now in its second year, sported many
advanced styling themes, with a deliberately strong association to
the new Thunderbird.
Any time we get stunning 50's era Detroit metal into our Classic
Auto Mall showroom, it tends to attract a lot of attention and
usually doesn't stick around very long. This is a 1956 Ford
Fairlane Victoria that has been garage kept by the previous owner
for 30 years and driven sparingly especially lately due to an
illness preventing him from doing so. Our consigner picked it up as
it has sat idle for the past 5 years, did some mechanical upgrades
and general maintenance, and drove it every day to work. Overall,
it is in fair condition, and drives but will eventually need some
TLC to bring it totally back.
Exterior
With a blending of Raven Black and Colonial White this car takes
the term paint scheme and trimmings to another level. Nicely
presenting with a good shine there is slight rust seen on the
common pillar between the doors. These areas of 2 tone are bordered
by the use of a chrome side swoop spear, black metal rocker trim,
chrome window surrounds chrome badging, and very nice chrome
bumpers. From the front of the hood cloisonne shield to the jet age
hood ornament, and Fairlane badging in your grandmother's
handwriting we are in drive-in-heaven. Black walls with 15-inch
torque thrust wheels are sitting on all 4 corners. Wrap around
front and rear glass is seen and adds to the drive-in culture
allure of the mid 50's. Get your DA greased, put the cigs in your
sleeve and let's move to the inside...Ca, ca, ca, cool man!
Interior
Pushing the nicely preserved chromed handle button, and pulling on
that handle, we move the swoop spear swoop out of the way so we can
slide on in. Feasting our eyes on this very 50's, very nicely done
interior I'm in love...me tender. With masterful use of black and
white vinyl, and of course plenty of chrome borders, the door
panels have me all shook up. I take in the black and white stitched
vinyl in a horizontal rectangle pattern which shows some dirt,
smudging and lots of wrinkles in the white. Two full benches front
and a rear, swim in a sea of wonderful black thick pile carpet.
Gazing forward we greet the 2-tone exterior matching dash in all
steel. Gauges are very clean, sport chrome bezels, and work. An
original steering wheel in black, is bordered on the inside by the
pie slice shaped horn ring that leaves a 1/3 portion out at the top
just to keep your interest. A tight headliner in white with some
dirt showing in the seams, floats above the interior and shows no
stains. Well, that's alright baby, let's go to the Drivetrain
section.
Drivetrain
Now sporting electronic ignition, this correct 292ci V8 has a
4-barrel carb now on top. All sits within an unrestored engine bay,
has a red block and black Thunderbird badged valve coverings. The
recently serviced and re-sealed Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic is
on back, and waaaay back is a 3.22 geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
Structurally very sound, and we see some use of body filler on the
insides of the rear fenders aft of the wheel wells. The exhaust
piping in this same area on the way back is showing holes and is
very rusty. Body hangers and rockers are all solid as the frame.
Independent coil spring suspension in front, and leaf spring in the
rear. Drum brakes are all over this car. We can notice some blow
back of oil coming from the bottom end of the engine on this car.
You ain't nuthin but a hound dog...
Drive-Ability
Our crack in-house decoder and car expert fought over who was going
to drive this one! And we resolved it by both doing so. This car
started without a hiccup, shifted beautifully, had a great cushy
ride, and was comfortable to sit in. It's definitely a boulevard
cruiser, could be a show-er, but for now I'm sticking to driving
her. I can't help falling in love...with this wonderful car. We
both noticed that the radio is turning on, but no sound emanates,
and the horn and wipers are nonfunctional.
We have a turnkey classic that drips with mid 50's styling, plenty
of chrome, an awesome interior, beautiful and smooth-running
engine, fair paint, a classic black and white color combination,
and ready to roll. A little TLC in time and she'll be up to
excellent snuff, but the bones are there. Now I'm really all shook
up ohh hoo hoo ohh yeah yeah!
VIN DECODE
M6EF212060
M-292ci V8 4bbl 200hp
6-1956
E-Victoria Fairlane
212060-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 57A-Victoria Fairlane 4 Door Hardtop
COLOR AE-Raven Black & Colonial White
TRIM AD-White Vinyl, Black Cloth
PRODUCTION CODE 28E-May 28th
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.
