Vehicle Description
To put the rarity of this 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner convertible
into perspective, since 2011 we've featured more than forty 1955
Chevrolet convertibles, but this is the only 1955 Ford convertible.
The fact that it's also beautifully presented and very stylish
means that you can stand out in a crowd without needing something
nobody's ever heard of before.
First off, yes, this is a 1955 Ford. Experts will note that the
grille and some of the trim make it look like a '56, but that's
because the fellow who restored it preferred the look. But have no
fear, it is indeed titled as a '55 and the VIN is that of a 1955
Ford Sunliner. More importantly, black and white will always be
stylish, but few cars wear it better than the top-of-the-line Ford
Fairlane. Bisected by that sweeping trim that stretches from nose
to tail, this car is pure 1950s style and elegance. Finish quality
on this particular example is fantastic, offering great bodywork
and a deep gloss on the final finish, both of which are critical
with black paint. And, of course, there's no missing all that
chrome, regardless of what year it is. You know it's expensive to
restore but they weren't skimping here: the bumpers, side trim, and
all the other shiny bits look fantastic. It's also loaded with
accessories, including fender skirts, dual antennas on the rear
deck, and bumper guards.
The handsome interior echoes the bodywork with black and white
vinyl, but the red piping and floor mats are what really make it
sparkle. Those of you who have driven an early T-Bird will
recognize the domed speedometer, and the three round pods in the
center of the dash house the heater controls, radio, and clock,
respectively. You'll also see three pedals on the floor, because
this car has a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, so it's
a fantastic highway cruiser. And speaking of cruising, you don't
have to suffer with whatever passes for entertainment on AM radio,
because there's a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo head unit hidden in
the glove box and a 12-inch Rockford-Fosgate subwoofer discreetly
installed in the trunk. The speedometer is actually in kilometers,
not miles, which explains the highly optimistic 200 figure at the
far end. Overhead, there's a snug-fitting black canvas convertible
top and it stows neatly under a matching vinyl boot for a clean
look. The trunk is also neatly finished and includes a matching
full-sized spare tire.
1955 was the second year for Ford's "Y-Block" V8 engine, with the
powerplant in this Fairlane displacing 272 cubic inches. The
distinctive valve covers and exhaust manifolds make it easy to
recognize and it was restored some years ago using correct Ford Red
paint and decals throughout, so it looks right. Sure, there are
some miles on it, but that means it's sorted and ready to go, and
the soundtrack from the twin tailpipes out back will make you fall
in love. The 3-speed shifts well and it rides like a luxury car
should, thanks to a stock suspension with quite a few new
components. The floors have been undercoated so you don't have to
worry about using this Ford as intended and the exhaust system,
shocks, and fuel tank look pretty fresh. Flashy chrome wire hubcaps
and new 215/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall radials are
pretty much the best choice for a car that looks this good and
drives this well.
So if you're a Ford guy, this is a car that's easy to love and the
unique changes make it one that will keep everyone guessing. Either
way, we bet you'll love it. Call today!