Vehicle Description
1956 Ford Customline Victoria 2 Door Hardtop
"Ford's new Customline sedans bring you new styling with low sleek
lines, new chrome ornamentation, and delightful new colors. And you
get the smooth, quiet, responsive power of Ford's advanced new Y-8
engine - 176 horsepower with Conventional or Overdrive." All 18,
(yes, 18!), body styles offered for the Fairlane series in 1956
were featured in the sales brochure on one page and the largest
image was reserved for the Customline. America's idea of "low"
lines was quite different in 1956, but this car represented a
slightly trimmed model that was intended to evoke emotion of
Thunderbird lovers who needed extra room.
For consignment, a 1956 Ford Customline Victoria that was restored
in 2007 and the new owner will also take home receipts and photos
from the restoration. The car has been garage kept and is a
multiple time car show award winner and our consignor proudly tells
us this car was driven to those shows! As dad would say, she's a
'beaut.
Exterior
Two tone was trending at the time and we're all better off for it!
This car wears a two stage coat of Berkshire Green over Colonial
white. The blue green tone sandwiches the white that runs along a
body trim piece that extends nose to tail with a fantastic triangle
nameplate midway that creates a barbed spear below. Thunderbird
taillights look like cat eyes over the Cheshire smile of the long,
perfectly chromed bumper. Chrome is the highlight of the front as
well with a stylish grille that is not over the top, chrome casing
on the marker lights, and bumperettes on the bumper, all in fine
condition. The hood ornament is polished to a perfect shine and so
is the remaining brightwork on the car including the window frames.
The Ford crests on the front, back, and hubcaps are fantastic and
so is the paint which is miles deep on the green coverage and silky
smooth on the white. We could not find anyglaring exterior flaws on
this showpiece.
Interior
A body keyed header tops the door panels composed of 50's style
contours of light green and dark green, patterns which are picked
up near seamlessly by the back seat sidewalls. Vinyl topped upper
in light green vinyl is over a darker green cloth with a marble
pattern on the split bench and repeated with perfection on the rear
bench which has constructed armrests with built in ashtrays on each
end. The body color seat shell in front melds with the dash of the
same color, fronted by a black plastic steering wheel with metal
horn ring. Under the arch of the dash are simple gauges and a large
speedometer, then the dash sweeps flatly right, glossy Berkshire
green housing an AM radio and a vent controls. A new shade of green
is introduced by the loop carpet on the floor which on the driver's
side reveals perhaps the only imperfection on the interior, a bit
of discoloration. The minty green headliner with its regal
patterning, is about as good as it gets. The trunk is lined with a
plaid mat and holds a spare white wall tire and painted tire
case.
Drivetrain
Under the massive hood, we find a show ready engine bay housing a
red blocked 292ci V8 rated at 176 horsepower and fueled by a
2-barrel carburetor. Setting the car in motion would be the
Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to the
back where it is met with 3.22 gears. Drum brakes are found front
and rear.
Undercarriage
It's rare when a car is this clean on the top side that the
underside doesn't reflect some care. And this one keeps with the
trend as it's super clean with barely any surface rust and no
errant fluids to speak of. If we had to find fault, there's a bit
of grease build up on the steering knuckles but probably not enough
to cause lost points in a judged show. Meanwhile, the clean dual
exhaust joins with stock style mufflers before finding its way out
the back, under the bumper via chrome tips. Suspension consists of
coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.
Drive-Ability
We almost always make sure we don't sit in grease or lean against a
tire before we get into our consigned cars and we're taking extra
care with these near pristine light green cloth seats. The wrap
around windshield and rear window along with the long side windows
creates a wonderful greenhouse with a minimal C-pillar and great
visibility. The car ran smoothly and functioned well, no complaints
here, it's a great cruiser. Only the clock and radio are non
functional on the car.
Mint has several meanings. It can be used to describe a color, or
the condition of a car, or a place where money is produced. Here's
a car with hues of mint, in mint condition, and you won't need a
mint to purchase it! This is one of those top tier cars that
generally don't last long at the mall. It's a turnkey show car or a
great addition to a static collection. But it's too beautiful not
to drive it and show it off! That'll be up to you.
M6FV334962
M-292ci 2bbl V8
6-1956
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
V-Customline Victoria 2 Door Hardtop
334962-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 64D-Customline Victoria 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR VW-Berkshire Green & Springmist Green
TRIM CA-Medium Green Vinyl & Bodycloth
PRODUCTION CODE 18G1160C-July 18th
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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