When I was a squirt, my dad bought a ’56 Parklane Wagon for our growing family. It was Meadowmist Green and Pine Ridge Green and was gorgeous, so I’ve always been partial to 1956 full-sized Fords. Although the Fairlane Crown Victoria gets all of the attention at car shows and auctions (and I admit that distinctive “Crown of Chrome” is so cool and so mid-50’s), the Fairlane Victoria 2-door hardtop is just as eye-catching. And when it’s in a solid color like this Raven Black beauty, the lines and stance of the hardtop coupe are really accentuated. Located in Modesto, California, this ’56 Vic time capsule is for sale here on eBay and had generated 29 bids as of this writing, but the high bid of $20,100 hadn’t met the seller’s reserve.

The seller, Dan, doesn’t share a lot of history or background on this ’56 Ford. It would be nice to know because it’s being described as “a time capsule with 33,039 miles,” but Dan lists his number and says to call him with any questions. Just based on the photos, it’s an impressive hardtop that’s possibly spent its life in California. Given there were so many two-tone exterior paint options and a slew of colorful interior options for Fords in 1956, it’s refreshing to see a Vicky in solid black with a tasteful black and white interior (and no added-on Continental Kit).

The Raven Black paint looks shiny and compliments the gleaming chrome, trim, badging, and the cool original yellow California plate above the rear bumper. All the glass and lenses look good as well and I’m not spotting any rust or anything body related that would raise a flag.  The chrome mag wheels are open to debate, but it does give the Vicky an aggressive look and continues the black and chrome color scheme down to the pavement.

The black and white interior is impressive as well. The seller claims that “most everything on this car is stock original except added Power Steering,” and that is has “original bench seats, steering wheel and dash.” If he’s implying that this Vicky is still wearing its original Black Tree Nylon and White Vinyl upholstery, it’s miraculously well preserved to be 66 years old. 

The dash, instrument gauges, and steering wheel look very good and an Air Conditioning unit has been mounted under the dash (perhaps one disadvantage of owning a black car in sunny California). Other creature comforts includes power steering (which was added at some point), “Swift Sure” power brakes, and an automatic transmission. The black carpet looks good but there are no detailed photos of the door panels, headliner, or rear bench seats. 

Dan didn’t share many photographs of the engine compartment, but from a distance, it looks clean and tidy. It has its original 312-cubic-inch Thunderbird V8 that generated 225 horsepower when new that’s mated to Ford’s Speed-Trigger Fordomatic Drive transmission. The seller says it “Runs and Drives Excellent” and that the odometer shows 33,039 original miles. The word “documented” isn’t used, but the seller says “all paperwork included,” so maybe there’s some proof in those papers to verify the mileage. So, what do you think? If this is as advertised, a time capsule ’56 Ford Victoria 2-Door Hardtop with 33,039 original miles, it would make it one of the finest survivors in the land. Happy Bidding!