Vehicle Description
1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria
Any time we get stunning 50s 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 1955 Ford
Fairlane Crown Victoria that has been painstakingly restored to its
top of the Ford line status. It's the perfect car for anyone who
wants an accurate, exceptionally well done restoration for half the
price of doing it themselves.
There is 50's cool then there is 50's AWESOME and this car
definitely fits the latter. The beneficiary of an older restoration
now showing its age in a few areas but still a stunner, this
classic is dripping with all the trappings one would expect from a
luxury car of that era...Continental kit rear bumper, dual under
the bumper exhaust, factory front and rear bumper guards, fender
skirts, and the list goes on and on.
Exterior
With a true to form 50's color palette, we are greeted with
straight steel panels minding their gaps, and bathed in two tone
Tropical Rose, and Snowshoe White. A few flaws are noted in the
rose section of the paint, particularly down low on the body which
is showing inclusions, bubbling and evidence of some body filler.
The white is showing some age also and is due for a repaint, but
still shows well. It is broken up by the polished stainless steel
of the now famous 'Fairlane strip' which flows gracefully from the
top of the front fenders down the side of the car and hits the tail
lights mid fender. Centered on the 'Fairlane strip' in the middle
of the doors are great looking badging emblems with a faded gold
crown, and silver Victoria in your grandmother's handwriting.
Behind the rocker panels of the car, spotless stainless trim
highlights pronounced rear fender skirts. Perfect tinted glass that
is in excellent shape all around is accented by the Crown Victoria
exclusive chrome 'basket handle' roof piece and stainless window
trim. The roof is pretty in Tropical Rose (pink). Out back, the
jet-age taillight lenses look new and are topped by a small fin
which houses the backup lights. The trunk is backed by a
Continental bumper complete with metal enclosed spare tire. Details
abound, with lock cylinder covers all around and a single chromed
exterior rear-view mirror mounted on top of the driver's door. Wide
whites wrap polished wheel covers that have a centered cloisonne
Ford Badge.
Interior
Looking like it was plucked right out of a Silk City Dining Car,
the beautiful white and light pink combo has a firm but comfortable
feel, as well as all the aesthetics that come with the mid 50's.
The door panels which mimic the "Fairlane Strip" are pink up top,
and white on the bottom and all the glass has new seals as well as
new door weatherstripping installed. Climb in and you'll be
surrounded by light rose horizontal tufted inserts and ultra-wide
white vinyl bolsters which are on front and back benches. The back
bench is noteworthy as it has an armrest inserted and above is
framed by a multiple stepped "V" with the Ford logo inside...just
beautifully cool in its own way. These seats are fronted by a
perfect dash, in magenta and white metal, and with all correct
instruments. All this is floating within an impeccable black thick
pile carpet that has had sound deadener installed underneath. The
headliner is just as impressive on the inside with the stainless
basket handle breaking it up, and in white perforated vinyl. The
trunk has had the once over with snowshoe paint, and the correct
Ford plaid trunk liner and more sound deadener.
Drivetrain
The original 272ci V8 is looking fine with its orange painted block
and intake, black Thunderbird logoed valve covers and a showroom
condition gray oil bath air cleaner, all complete with correct
decals. Absolutely no corrosion under the hood, supple hoses and a
pristine radiator. On top of the engine, we see a single 2-barrel
carburetor, and on the back is a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic
transmission. All power goes rearward to a Ford 9-inch rear axle
weighing in with a 3.78 ratio.
Undercarriage
Very clean and definitely rust-free environment with a now black
environment. A black and surface rusted frame remains structurally
intact, and black floor pans that show slight road dirt and
professionally replaced rear pans make up the underside. All body
hangers and supports are intact as are the inner rockers. For the
suspension we note independent coil springs in front, and leaf
springs on the rear. Drum brakes are all around, and a dual exhaust
system has been installed, albeit with mismatched mufflers.
Drive-Ability
My decoder partner in crime would be perfectly satisfied if every
car was from the 50's, however variety is the spice of life, and
this one has plenty of good taste. The car starts right up, runs
like a champ, and rides like a dream. All instruments, fans etc
were functioning, however the horn, radio, clock and heater blower
are in need of repair. Also, we noted that the generator light
would occasionally come on. I wanted to take the remainder of the
day off and drive to the shore, but I could not get
permission...
If you are into 50's ultimate cool, with a smattering of creature
comforts, diner like interior, and plenty of stainless shine, then
this retro Fairlane may have your name on it. With a color combo
that was probably in your grandparent's bathroom on the first floor
of their rancher, it is simply dripping with the mid 1950's, and is
all in very nice condition and well restored.
U5FW224492
U-272ci V8 2bbl 173hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
W-Fairlane Crown Victoria
224492-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 64A-Fairlane Crown Victoria, Solid Roof
COLOR WE-Tropical Rose, Snowshoe White
TRIM AS-White & Magenta Vinyl
PRODUCTION CODE 16FCL115-June 16th Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
