Vehicle Description
1955 Ford Sunliner Convertible
"No wonder the Sunliner is America's favorite convertible. Top
down, it's the most distinguished, yet dashing, car in its field.
Top up, with its glove tight fabric fit, it has all the comfort
features of a sedan. Top comes in one of three colors to harmonize
with the single or unique two-tone body exterior colors." From the
1955 Ford sale brochure featuring the full lineup for the model
year.
For consignment, a 1955 Ford Sunliner convertible with a 351ci V8,
a continental kit, and familiar looks. In a print ad from the time,
the Sunliner was promoted as a four passenger Thunderbird. "First
it warms your heart, (that Thunderbird styling!), then it reads
your mind, (that Trigger-Torque power!)", referring to the engine
that "replies to your driving demands with split second
agility.".
Exterior
A restored body includes extensive stainless work including the
distinctive V-shaped midline trim piece which reaches up and hugs
the top of the front fenders. Hooded headlights and the long, flat
rear deck do conjure up Thunderbird styling though the body,
dressed in Aquatone Blue two stage paint, is taller and wider than
a Thunderbird. Slab sided rear quarter panels are a mile long and
the blue is broken by the midline trim and a piece that rides the
top of the fender, then dips forward to allow for a panel of
Snowshoe White paint which creates a defined cabin area. Fender
skirts and the extended bumper for the Continental kit create a
rear section that trails the standard Fairlane front half. The
metal looks fantastic from the chrome bumpers to the hard case of
the spare to the bright work and window frames. A newer canvas top
has a plastic window that is crystal clear and the hubcaps on the
15-inch wheels are in great shape as well. The paint is very nice
and the only imperfection we could find were a couple of small
bubbles in the paint.
Interior
Meridian Turquoise and white are patterned on the door panels with
a painted header and vinyl inserts in smooth and tuck and roll
pattern with some discoloration and usage stains on both. The metal
trim piece is not as good inside and they are outside, but they're
all there, fully intact, and the patterns flow through to the back
seats where it lines the walls. A split bench seat up front in
white vinyl with turquoise inserts and while not pristine, present
very nicely. The rear bench mirrors the condition and retains the
unique styling cue of a V-shaped center trim piece which the seats
contour around. A white rimmed billet steering wheel shares a
column with the shifter and fronts the classic two tone dash where
some custom billet knobs have been added below the arching
speedometer. There is also a chrome rimmed tachometer where vent
controls would have been in a round bezel but the radio tuner and
clock in the adjoining circles are original, and the radio masks
the new FM capability. A pod of four white faced gauges is mounted
under the dash to monitor engine functions while the Ford
emblazoned glove box in front of the passenger looks great. A
textured rubber mat covers the floor and the underside of the
convertible top, and its rails are in good condition. The trunk is
lined with a plaid mat and houses a spare on steel wheel.
Drivetrain
A very clean engine greets us as we open the hood, decked out with
chrome Ford Motorsport valve covers and air filter cover. This is a
351ci Windsor V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and a C6 3-speed
automatic transmission sending power to the Ford 9" rear. The
Sunliner is now equipped with power brakes, disc in front and drums
in the rear. The car now runs a 12 volt electrical system.
Undercarriage
Overall, the underside is in nice condition and clean with typical
surface rust and some residual oil on the rear differential, oil
pan, and a crossmember. Dual exhaust flows into bright red
Cherrybomb mufflers and then find their way to chrome tips out the
back. The front/back configuration of coil springs and leaf springs
holds true with this old Ford, and an X-frame covers a good portion
of the undercarriage.
Drive-Ability
The trusty 351 fired up and bellowed from the Cherrybombs with a
healthy rumble far behind us with exhaust tips that stretch beyond
the extended bumper. Smooth sailing as we tackled the test loop
with decent acceleration, straight tracking, and typical body roll
on sharper turns. Operationally, the A/C is not working, nor is the
clock and power top. All other functions, including the myriad of
gauges, work as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Two toned class on wheels with spectacular metal work and paint,
and an interior that is complete, attractive, and a combination of
old school goodness and modern technology. This long car is a
stunning piece of American ingenuity and a classic 1950's piece of
rolling art. If you're in the market for a Fairlane or Crown Vic
from the era, consider this fine Sunliner.
M5RC147498
M-272ci 4bbl 162hp V8
5-1955
R-San Jose, CA Assy Plant
C-Sunliner
147498-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76B-Sunliner
COLOR EY-Snowshow White, Mountain Green
TRIM M-White & Medium Turquoise Vinyl
PRODUCTION CODE 11E1706-October 11th
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
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