Ford restyled its cars in 1955 and applied the Victoria nameplate to its hardtops as being top-of-the-line. You could go one step further with the Crown Victoria which added the largest chrome bar that traversed the C-pillars and across the roof. The seller’s 1956 Victoria is the former and looks to have been restored at one time. It’s hard to find any flaws with the car in the myriad of photos the seller has supplied.
This snappy ’56 Victoria looks to be finished in Colonial White over Sunset Coral (aka “orange”) paint. The interior patterns closely match the exterior colors, and everything here is nice and tidy. The listing is worded much like what a dealer might say and, thus, doesn’t focus a lot on the history of this sharp automobile. The Fairlane Victoria was on a trim level with that of the Chevrolet Bel Air. The indicated mileage is said to be less than 44,000.
We’re told the sheet metal on the top half of the Ford is original, which tells me that some repairs or replacements were done below the beltline. The chrome trim is ample and superb in its condition. The Ford is powered by a 292 cubic inch V8 (with aftermarket valve covers) which would have been standard in the Victoria, paired with an automatic transmission. Some upgrades have been added, such as a gauge package and power front disc brakes (not available until many years later). The car even has seatbelts, considered a luxury item in the 1950s before safety mandates made them standard fare.
More than 31,000 of these coupes were produced in 1956, and yet when was the last time you saw one? Most have sadly gone on to the automotive graveyard, leaving this as one of the few left to demonstrate just how cool cars could be back in the day. Located in Standish, Maine, this sweet Ford is available here on eBay where the current bid is $12,221, the reserve is unmet, and the Buy It Now price is $42,000. But think about what it would cost to restore one of these if you started with a junk example.
What’s not to like? An American car, built in America, and ready for the roads of America. Cruising in this machine in the autumn with the leaves changing colors in the northeast as a backdrop almost makes it criminal to have it leave that part of the country.
My mom had a 1956 Victoria 4 door hardtop with a 312 given to her when she received a college scholarship. She was still driving it into the mid 60’s. It did have the oiling issue that the Y Blocks were notorious for and one of my earliest memories in watching my dad install one of those external oil line kits. I normally am a died in the wood GM guy but I will say that both the 55 and 56 Fords are quite nice looking and have been somewhat overshadowed by the Tri-Five Chevy’s.
Look out-you don’t want to have died in the wood.
I just about dyed when I read that
Pop bought a 56 Ford Victoria 2 door hardtop for my brother’s first car in 1961. Pop overhauled the 292 and the 4 barrel carb, put on duals and replaced many front-end components. It had an automatic tranny, the front hood had been bull nosed with the chrome ornament removed. The rear trunk lid had the chrome emblem removed as well. Put full moon hubcaps on it and installed tuck and roll vinyl interior. I don’t remember any 1956 Fords with factory seatbelts, but Pop installed front belts in this one. I honestly think Pop built this one for himself because he bought my brother a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 2 door hardtop when he went off to college in 1964. Pop kept the 56 for the next 20 years or so. Pop also bought mom a 66 Fairlane 2 door hardtop in 1967 and bought me a 64 Galaxie 500 with a 390/4 barrel. Pop was always a Ford man and he dearly loved that 56 Ford. It was eventually rear ended one night when he and mom were driving home in the dark. Pop quit driving it and just kept it in the garage for the next 10 years, going out to start it once in a while. Last time they moved, he sold it to a collector in Dallas. Thanks for letting me reminisce, I sure miss Pop.
My folks also bought a ‘56 wagon new with belts, padded dash, and dished steering wheel for safety. Great car!
yes Rick there where factory seat belts in 1956 Ford’s my parents bought a new one a red and white Fairlane 9 passenger wagon 312 auto with factory padded dash and seat belts Ford tried selling safety in 1956 but not many where sold
I had two ’55 TBirds – both had factory seat belts … my uncle had a ’56 with seat belts and padded dash – I think each was a $5 option …
In ’56, Ford offered “Lifeguard Design”, which was the dished steering wheel, soft sunvisors, and Lifeguard door latches to prevent the doors from popping open on a crash.
The belts were a separate item and only installed when ordered. In this car they are aftermarket. They have metal to metal latches.
The original Ford belts had metal to fabric latches. All originals I have seen had silver belt material, a large aluminum lift-tab on the latch, and I believe they were all dealer installed.
Saying that it’s worded like what a dealer might say is an understatement. I was expecting the write up to end by asking what they have to do to get me in this car today.
Between that and the fact that there’s a lack of valuable info and history, it’s a turn off, but when cars reach a certain age and pass through multiple owners, that tends to happen.
There’s no denying that it sure looks purdy. And, that’s enough for some.
Russ and you are right, this definitely comes across as a dealer. The other car he currently has listed is the 64 4spd Plymouth featured the other day. It’s a nice car, the text in the ad is useless.
Steve R
Barf- inspiring blather from the seller.
Real nice ’56 & one of my favorites but can’t see $42k!
Talk about a beautiful piece of eye candy! The only thing I can see doing is ceramic coating. No pictures of the undercarriage are shown but what is there presents well. I’ve always loved the 55,56, 58 and 59 Fords. Does anyone recall each make of car had a unique interior smell? Blindfolded you could tell a Chevy from a Ford or Chrysler.
I had one just like this one, except mine was black and white. Loved and and I wish I still had it.
I’m calling this one Mandarin Orange.
Ford put out some nice cars in the ’50s and this is certainly one of them. Don’t know the market but do know this is a beautiful car.
Are those the original wheel covers?
Now that’s a beautiful car ! The 55, 56 and 57 Fords were much better looking cars than the tri 5 Chevys, especially the overwrought, overhyped 57’s.
The first car belonging to my uncle that I remember was one of these. Except his was jet black, with glass packs. And he always kept it clean. He remained a Ford guy pretty much over the years although his last car, a Fairmont wagon bore little resemblance to that shiny black beauty.
What color is it ?
In my youth, my folks shipped me off to my aunt and uncles up in W.Va. every summer. In 56 I was 4yo, and uncle Dean bought a brand new 56 Ford 2 Dr. Ht. It was black n white. Column shift. I remember this like yesterday for some reason. They had to pick me up to look inside. I thought that new Ford was the stuff. So pretty. To celebrate we went to the drive in all-night movies. I fell asleep . Isn’t it weird how memories are brought on by the cars of the time in your life and it seems like only yesterday?
I just love the “my uncle” stories, and typical of who would buy the flashiest Ford. I’d have to think military parking lots had plenty of these. A bit behind on styling seeing the Chevy and Plymouth were all new, and the ’57 Ford, in like a knee-jerk reaction, was waaaay overboard for most, the ’56 was the car to have. I read, this car cost $2585 new, about $200 less than the Crown, and had a long list of options, sending most well into the $3s. Some included the automatic, a whopping $178 bucks, and more amazing, the freakin’ radio was almost as much at $110 bucks. V8, $91, heater $71, even this 2 tone paint cost an extra $19 bucks, it added up quick, but still well within the means of most military “uncles”. Ford sure turned a corner after these cars, some argue for the better, but to me, the ’56 was one of the nicest Fords.
I like the 56 Victorias and this one does look like a turnkey deal. Someone here mentioned this same seller is also selling that 1964 Plymouth Fury 4spd manual last week. I thing I’d rather have that Fury than this one. And yes, seller sounds like a super salesman.
My father in law had this exact same car when he got married in the 60’s. It was rusted out.
30 years later he had a frame off restoration done on a car from the prairies.
Both were the same colour as this one.
It was a nice car but he traded it for a 65 Impala convertible.
The Impala is the more valuable car, but I always liked this little Ford better.
A buddy and I went to buy a 56 Crown Victoria a few years back, North of Atlanta and were going to drive it back, but had no brake lights or turn signals, so we scrapped the purchase. You can’t drive in big city traffic without them, and it wasn’t just bulbs.
I bought a MGB while living in San Diego without brakes on the freeway using only the hand brake and down shifting the gears. At my age now I don’t ride with people who have dents or damage on their vehicles. Go figure.
Hey everybody let’s have some fun;
You only live but once, and when you’re dead you’re done
So let the good times roll……
I get you Frog, I’ve also done some crazy things when I was younger too, like buying and driving a recently bought car without good brakes, or brake lights. But Im too old to do that anymore.
Cool car. Not my favorite color, but very
‘50s. Friend of the family had a ‘56 Crown Victoria-way cool!
Russ, not a coupe.