Vehicle Description
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!
