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1956 Ford Victoria: Bel Air Fighter

1956 Ford Victoria

In 1956, the Chevrolet Bel Air was the car to have. Sales were off the chart and Ford didn’t have an answer for the sleek Bel Air two door. In an attempt to capture some of the market back, Ford introduced the Victoria two door hardtop. Since the design seemed to be working for GM, Ford decided to style the Victoria similarly and they even optioned it with similar features. This example has clearly been outside for a number of years and is starting to look sunburnt and rusty. It looks complete though and should be saved from further decay. Find it here on eBay in Escondido, California for $7,500 with the option to make an offer. So which would you rather have a ’56 Bel Air or a ’56 Victoria?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparmann Member

    The ’56 Victoria! I may be biased seeing as how my Dad bought his ’55 right off the showroom floor, and to my young eyes it was the most beautiful thing ever (At the time, LOL!-) In the words of the Nicolette Larson song, “It’s gonna take a lot of love to change the way things are” on this one, however! :-)

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed Blankenship

      Like to buy 56 vic.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Vincent Habel

    I like the 55-57 Fords as well as the Chevies. This is another example of a over priced junker.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Rick

    And in ’57 Ford outsold Chevrolet – hard to believe when you take into account the enduring popularity of the ’57 Chevy

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Chris in WNC

    definitely prefer the Vickie to a Bel Air, although I prefer the ’56 Chebby over a 55 or 57.
    with any of them, just give me a post sedan with 6 cylinders and 3-speed OD tranny…….

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Kenzo

    Always the Ford. Had a 56 4 door with a 292 3 speed converted to a floor shift.
    Took on a few chevies and won.
    Still miss it. Deep red with total black interior.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Jeff

    Love the Chevrolet line and the 56 Vicky. Have a red/white one with a 390 tripower C6. Built a 210 right before I started the Vicky – parts are about double for everything. Pot metal vent window frames break easily and are $400 plus for good examples. Only the sunliner, Victorias and Crown Vic had them with the lower roof line.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar sp8z

    Not white and turquoise, Alpine blue and Sungate ivory. My dad had our ’50 Custom repainted in these factory colors before we took it on a 3 week trip to Florida in ’54. When we got back he bought a ’55 Country Squire.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Scottymac

    I’m not sure what point the author is trying to make. Ford introduced a Victoria hardtop in 1951. The hardtop was a little lower and sleeker for ’56, as opposed to the ’55, I believe. Chevy almost always played catch-up in the Fifties and Sixties. Thunderbird, 1955 – Monte Carlo (called the C-Bird by GM stylists), 1970; Ranchero, 1957 – El Camino, 1959; Falcon, 1960 – Chevy II, 1962; Fairlane, 1962 – Chevelle, 1964; Mustang, 1964 – Camaro, 1967. Guess which brand I choose!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Janker

      I guess that’s why GMC out sold ferd all but 2 years in the 50’s? Btw,the t-bird was made to compete with the already existing corvette. The competitor to the falcon was the corvair. The fairlane was built to compete with the Chevy II. You’re right about the mustang. I actually love the fast back mustangs as much as the camaro.

      Like 0
      • Avatar scottymac

        You’re right, the T-Bird was meant to compete against the Corvette, but since Chevy could only shove 700 out the door in 1955 when the Bird debuted, we know who won that sales race. The Corvair was such an odd POS, Chevy had to rush out in ’62 with the Chevy II, so they wouldn’t keep getting slaughtered by the Falcon. The Fairlane did not compete against the Chevy II, it was a new design, and as typical, Chevy followed suit two years later with the Chevelle. We know what happened with the Mustang and Camaro, Chevy getting slaughtered again.

        Like 0
  9. Avatar charlie Member

    But the CROWN VIC, with the stainless trim up the B pillar and over the roof, was the one to have. Those of today, who think of a Crown Vic as a ‘limo” or a cop car, the first one was a really different 2 door, never thought of it as handsome, but it was different.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Woodie Man

    This guy is plumb crazy. Also has a Oldsmobile Starfire for sale…for 19,000.00 ! Just junk. a thousand bucks for the pair, if he delivers them. People have lost their minds

    Like 0

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