For Sale: 1956 Ford Fairlane in Ft Worth, Texas

Ford guys don't have to feel left out from the Tri-5 parade when there are gorgeous cars like this 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner convertible running around. Sure, the Chevys are more popular, but when you show up with this drop-dead gorgeous two-tone ragtop wearing all that glittering chrome jewelry, people will probably forget the garden-variety Chevy and come right over to see more Blue Oval awesomeness.

Comprehensively, nut-and-bolt restored in 1997 and rarely driven since (rebuilt with 46K miles on the odometer, car has 60K on the clock now), this is an absolute stunner. Top driver-quality, if not borderline show (the only reason we wouldn't consider it a show car is because the restoration was completed 25 years ago), there's not a bad-looking angle to this classic convertible. Wearing a repaint in Fiesta Red over Colonial White, this Ford is the ideal '50s cruiser for the person that loves pastels as much as I do. The Sunliner was the top-of-the-line in 1956 and it shows, with that sweeping bit of trim running down the sides of the car and separating the two colors in dramatic fashion. Finish quality is very, very good, with a deep shine, excellent panel alignment, and few signs of use beyond the usual polishing marks and very minor impurities. With conscientious, low ownership (only four owners since new!) and a Southern pedigree, we can say with a lot of confidence that this one has never been badly wrecked or rusted, and it's quite obvious that the former owners invested big bucks to make it look this good. On any '50s car, just the chrome and stainless trim costs as much as a couple of mortgage payments, and it was well-spent, because the bright stuff on this ragtop looks fantastic. Ford still delivered round taillights for their jet-age styling, and the exhaust ports through the rear bumper are just plain cool, but who's even going to notice with that delicious continental kit back there stealing all the thunder? What a sweet-looking ride.

There's a two-tone red and white interior and you can see the family resemblance to the Thunderbird just about everywhere you look. The seats are wearing correct reproduction seat covers that duplicate the '50s look as well as Ford's conservative attitude, and there are fresh black carpets on the floor, all installed by professionals that obviously know their stuff. Dramatic door panels echo the color combination and stainless trim outside and the big three-spoke steering wheel makes this big ragtop easy to handle, even in close quarters. The fresh gauges are like those used throughout the Ford lineup, and they're in great original condition, sitting inside that two-tone original dash that absolutely pops. The column-shift automatic transmission is an absolute score for those that love to set-it and forget-it in their convertibles, and the retro-style AutoSound AM/FM radio in the dash is a perfect fit. The white vinyl convertible top was installed just two years ago, and yes, it is indeed a power top that's working just as it should, and new electric wipers were installed as well - so if you do have the gaul to drive this beauty in the rain, it's equipped to handle it. The rear seat is brand new as well, including the chrome emblem in the center that's almost never redone, while the trunk was beautifully painted and outfitted with a correct plaid mat and a full-size spare.

Ford's reliable and torquey 292 cubic inch "Y-block" V8 makes the Sunliner feel peppy out on the road and effortless at cruising speed with a respectable 202 horsepower rating in tow. It's nicely dressed with a proper heavy-duty chrome air cleaner, "Thunderbird Special" valve covers, and Ford Red paint on the block itself. The overall look remains quite stock save for the new aluminum radiator and six-blade fan, but you probably won't complain about this car being impervious to hot weather. Recent work is extensive, including a new Holley 4-barrel carburetor atop an aluminum intake, new distributor and wires, and a fresh true dual exhaust system with chambered mufflers that give it a bit of a throatier soundtrack. Power transfers to the 2-speed automatic transmission underneath, and it shifts smoothly, while the rear end is darn near bulletproof. Thanks to the nut-and-bolt restoration, the undercarriage is very clean and detailed and it features a newer gas tank, new KYB shocks up front and air shocks in the rear, and sway bars front and rear that help this Sunliner handle like a dream. Proper color-matched steelies come adorned with correct hubcaps and are wrapped in 225/75/15 whitewalls that finish off the look perfectly.

Just a beautiful car with a terrific powertrain, beautiful restoration, and a great pedigree. This Ford will make people forget Brand X, and the person who owns this one will never regret going a little outside the norm. Call today!