1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria

The 1955-1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria was the crowning gem of the bright two-tone and chrome era. One of the most imaginative cars of an imaginative decade, it took off for the heavens in looks - but never in sales. 1956 was a great year to be shopping for your first new car. Chevy finally had a V-8 and looked as cool as Kim Novak in a stretch-nylon swimsuit. And Plymouth was hotter than the Cuban Mambo, strutting the first year of Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" styling and boasting a V-8 of its own. Ford, whose overhead-valve V-8 was now in its second year, sported many advanced styling themes, with a deliberately strong association to the new Thunderbird.

Any time we get stunning 50's 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 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria that has been garage kept by the previous owner for 30 years and driven sparingly especially lately due to an illness preventing him from doing so. Our consigner picked it up as it has sat idle for the past 5 years, did some mechanical upgrades and general maintenance, and drove it every day to work. Overall, it is in fair condition, and drives but will eventually need some TLC to bring it totally back.

Exterior
With a blending of Raven Black and Colonial White this car takes the term paint scheme and trimmings to another level. Nicely presenting with a good shine there is slight rust seen on the common pillar between the doors. These areas of 2 tone are bordered by the use of a chrome side swoop spear, black metal rocker trim, chrome window surrounds chrome badging, and very nice chrome bumpers. From the front of the hood cloisonn shield to the jet age hood ornament, and Fairlane badging in your grandmother's handwriting we are in drive-in-heaven. Black walls with 15-inch torque thrust wheels are sitting on all 4 corners. Wrap around front and rear glass is seen and adds to the drive-in culture allure of the mid 50's. Get your DA greased, put the cigs in your sleeve and let's move to the inside...Ca, ca, ca, cool man!

Interior
Pushing the nicely preserved chromed handle button, and pulling on that handle, we move the swoop spear swoop out of the way so we can slide on in. Feasting our eyes on this very 50's, very nicely done interior I'm in love...me tender. With masterful use of black and white vinyl, and of course plenty of chrome borders, the door panels have me all shook up. I take in the black and white stitched vinyl in a horizontal rectangle pattern which shows some dirt, smudging and lots of wrinkles in the white. Two full benches front and a rear, swim in a sea of wonderful black thick pile carpet. Gazing forward we greet the 2-tone exterior matching dash in all steel. Gauges are very clean, sport chrome bezels, and work. An original steering wheel in black, is bordered on the inside by the pie slice shaped horn ring that leaves a 1/3 portion out at the top just to keep your interest. A tight headliner in white with some dirt showing in the seams, floats above the interior and shows no stains. Well, that's alright baby, let's go to the Drivetrain section.

Drivetrain
Now sporting electronic ignition, this correct 292ci V8 has a 4-barrel carb now on top. All sits within an unrestored engine bay, has a red block and black Thunderbird badged valve coverings. The recently serviced and re-sealed Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic is on back, and waaaay back is a 3.22 geared rear axle.

Undercarriage
Structurally very sound, and we see some use of body filler on the insides of the rear fenders aft of the wheel wells. The exhaust piping in this same area on the way back is showing holes and is very rusty. Body hangers and rockers are all solid as the frame. Independent coil spring suspension in front, and leaf spring in the rear. Drum brakes are all over this car. We can notice some blow back of oil coming from the bottom end of the engine on this car. You ain't nuthin but a hound dog...

Drive-Ability
Our crack in-house decoder and car expert fought over who was going to drive this one! And we resolved it by both doing so. This car started without a hiccup, shifted beautifully, had a great cushy ride, and was comfortable to sit in. It's definitely a boulevard cruiser, could be a show-er, but for now I'm sticking to driving her. I can't help falling in love...with this wonderful car. We both noticed that the radio is turning on, but no sound emanates, and the horn and wipers are nonfunctional.

We have a turnkey classic that drips with mid 50's styling, plenty of chrome, an awesome interior, beautiful and smooth-running engine, fair paint, a classic black and white color combination, and ready to roll. A little TLC in time and she'll be up to excellent snuff, but the bones are there. Now I'm really all shook up ohh hoo hoo ohh yeah yeah!

VIN DECODE
M6EF212060
M-292ci V8 4bbl 200hp
6-1956
E-Victoria Fairlane
212060-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 57A-Victoria Fairlane 4 Door Hardtop
COLOR AE-Raven Black & Colonial White
TRIM AD-White Vinyl, Black Cloth
PRODUCTION CODE 28E-May 28th

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.