Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Rotisserie restoration completed in 2011
Correct 292 cubic inch Thunderbird V8 / Bored .030 over
Ford AOD 4-speed automatic transmission
12-volt electronic ignition
Original re-plated trim
Mandarin Orange & Colonial White paint
Orange & White vinyl interior
Want a super cool cruiser that's ready to show? How about one with
some of the best vintage styling ever draped over two doors and
four tires? If the answer is a resounding "YES", this 1956 Ford
Victoria is exactly the car you've been searching for! With its
massaged Thunderbird V8, modern 4-speed transmission and stunning
orange and white color combination, this Fairlane is the perfect
classic for anyone who enjoys exploring the open road. If you're
looking to add a little spice to your weekend routine, here's the
perfect way to take Sunday drives to a whole new level!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Solid and straight, the car's picturesque fuselage reflects a rich
combination of Mandarin Orange and Colonial White 2-stage that
creates a clean and classy demeanor. From its glossy roof to its
chip-free rockers, that paint's smooth finish is nice enough to be
the star at any hometown show, and certainly nicer than Ford's
original, factory-applied lacquer. Naturally, a star of that
caliber requires top-notch panel fit. And it definitely appears the
folks involved in this Victoria's 2011 rotisserie restoration spent
a lot of time making sure the car's streamlined body maintained
excellent cohesion.
Not surprisingly, this exceptional Fairlane mixes re-plated trim
with a roster of cool and carefully duplicated details. At the
front of the car, an exaggerated egg-crate grille hangs a small
AACA Touring plaque between clean headlights, chrome-trimmed
parking lamps, intricate header emblems and a mirrored bumper that
bends around peaked fenders. Between those fenders, a
chrome-detailed hood leads the eye to tinted glass that's framed by
thick trim, cleared by bright wipers and reflected in a correct
mirror. Below that mirror, classy door handles, subtle fender
skirts and polished rocker guards perfectly complement elaborate
side sweeps, expressive "Victoria" scripts and small "THUNDERBIRD
V8" emblems. And opposite those emblems, a pivotal "Fairlane" badge
rides between chrome-trimmed, jet-inspired taillights and a second
wraparound bumper.
ENGINE
Hoist this Ford's lightweight hood and you'll find a correct, 292
cubic inch Thunderbird V8 that, during the car's extensive
restoration, was bored .030 over, fully rebuilt and fitted with
12-volt electronic ignition. Introduced in 1955, this stout little
Y-block remained an option in blue oval staples well into the
mid-1970s. At the top of the bright orange mill, a familiar silver
air cleaner draws wind into an updated, 390cfm Holley, which is
stacked between a Lokar throttle linkage and fresh stainless fuel
lines. Atomized octane passes through a stock intake manifold to
correct, cast iron heads, which cap a balanced rotating assembly.
At the front of those heads, a rebuilt generator and correct fan
spin in unison as a restored radiator keeps things cool via pliable
hoses. And spark comes courtesy of a traditional points
distributor, which sequences fire through 7mm High Temperature
Static Suppression cables. From its black, Thunderbird-branded
valve covers to its fresh Autolite battery topper, this cruiser's
glossy engine bay presents a clean, authentic appearance. And best
of all, the 202 horsepower mill fires instantly and sounds
surprisingly beefy through cast iron exhaust manifolds and
factory-style tail pipes.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
At the bottom of this Victoria, a fully sorted undercarriage houses
original floors that were stripped and fully restored by the car's
previous owner. Nice enough to show but still fully drivable, this
is the perfect compromise for enthusiasts who like to display their
classic AND enjoy occasional weekend getaways. Behind the
aforementioned Y-block, the car's modern AOD 4-speed, a rebuilt
unit originally sourced from a 1991 Mustang GT, sends power to a
factory Ford axle. A sturdy suspension remains in its original
configuration with coils up front, leafs out back and traditional
manual steering. Braking is quick and adequate thanks to fresh
drums at all four corners. On the outside of those drums, painted
steel wheels spin 215/75R15 Eldorado whitewalls around classy
chrome hubcaps. And all the chassis' parts feature an immaculate,
weather-free appearance, reinforcing the idea that it's been a very
long time since this hardtop's seen daily-driver duty.
INTERIOR
2-tone paint is legendary for its characteristically '50s feel. And
when paired with this Fairlane's airy interior, it creates the
perfect culmination of style and sophistication. Thanks to the
car's high quality restoration, its gridded bench seats will be
livable for years to come. Front and center, factory gauges, a
correct AM radio and a quartz-movement clock look great inside a
stylish, Ford-branded dash. At the sides of that dash, scuff-free
door panels center chrome handles and small armrests between
body-matched frames and unique, Lion-branded sills. Those sills pin
tight carpet that still features bright orange loops. In front of
the driver, a body-matched steering wheel spins a Mandarin rim
around a chrome, Ford-branded horn ring. And behind the passengers,
a fully restored trunk anchors a fresh plaid mat next to a
full-size spare tire.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A service manual
Build receipts
It doesn't matter whether you're a Ford guy, MoPar guy or Chevy
guy, this impressive Victoria is one of those cars that transcends
barriers and claims universal appeal. Its great looks, great
performance and great color combo all add up to an exceptional
classic that can be driven and enjoyed. Indulge as is, or tinker
with it to make it sharper, either way you'll have a high value
cruiser that has unmatched curb appeal and the muscle to back it
up!
