This 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria was restored many years ago and was then parked in a garage as part of a private collection. Sadly, the owner passed away, and the current owner purchased it from the estate. He has returned it to a running state, but it now needs someone to complete the process of returning it to active duty. It isn’t perfect, but for the person who is seeking a clean and tidy classic that needs little more than some tinkering to get it up to scratch, then this is a car that is worth a serious look. The Ford is located in Dade City, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $13,801 in what is a No Reserve auction.
It isn’t clear when the restoration was performed on the Fairlane, but it is apparent that it was some time ago. As part of the process, the car received a repaint in its original Raven Black and Snowshoe White, and this has held up quite nicely. The owner is quick to point out that it isn’t perfect, and that there are chips and marks in the paint in various spots around the vehicle. However, it does remain of good driver quality, and would certainly attract its share of attention out on the open road. Rust is not something that the next owner is going to have to worry about. The owner provides an incredible 191 photos detailing every aspect of this classic, and what it shows is a vehicle that is solid and rust-free. The majority of the exterior trim and chrome is in very nice condition, although there are signs that the chrome is beginning to peel from the rear bumper. The Fairlane is fitted with a tinted windshield, and that, along with all of the remaining glass, looks to be in great condition.
Lifting the hood on the Ford reveals a 272ci Y-Block V8, while the vehicle also features a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission, along with power steering. It isn’t clear whether any mechanical refurbishment was performed on the vehicle as part of the restoration process, but there is a bit of rough-looking rattle-can work visible on the engine. While it isn’t clear just how long the car spent in storage, it was apparently kicked into life occasionally to keep the fluids circulating. The car runs and drives now, and as you will hear in the video below, it does sound very nice. The owner says that he believes that the Fairlane will need a thorough check before any extended journeys are attempted because the brakes are said to grab a bit. One of the photos does suggest that the pinion seal in the differential is leaking, so that will definitely require attention. Otherwise, it looks like the exhaust might be fairly new, while the same would appear to be true of the tires. With only 162hp on tap, this is a car that won’t set the world on fire. However, it should be quite happy cruising down the open roads at 60mph, and I would expect that it could do that all day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUvvCb7_iOU&feature=emb_title
One of the highlights of this old Ford is undoubtedly the interior. This was restored when the body was done, and the combination of Black and White upholstery is pretty classy. Once again, the presentation is impressive, and there are no major faults. There are a couple of dirty spots visible, especially on the rear upholstery. I do think that these would respond to a clean, so that should be okay. The upholstery itself is free from rips and tears, while the carpet and headliner look fantastic. One item that will need attention is the windshield wipers because these don’t currently operate. It is possible that the motor and/or spindles might have seized due to lack of use, so they might need to spend some time soaking in WD40 to get them working again. There is a cluster of aftermarket gauges fitted under the dash, and although the ammeter doesn’t currently function, the other two operate as they should. There is also an aftermarket radio/cassette player mounted under the dash, and whether that stays or goes will be a matter of personal preference. The Crown Victoria isn’t weighed down with luxury equipment, but it is fitted with a factory AM radio, along with a clock. A true score is the fact that not only is the original Operating Manual for the radio present, but it appears to be in great condition.
What a great car. It isn’t perfect, but it still presents extremely well. Given the fact that it has spent so many years in storage, my hope is that someone buys this old girl, and then returns it to active duty. Cars like this don’t deserve to be locked away in sheds. They deserve to be driven and enjoyed. After all, it’s what Henry Ford would have wanted.
She is a beauty. Nice looking in the white and black two tone.
Thank goodness, NO continental kit! GLWTA! :-)
My first thought also;-) I like the car.
Amen! Not a fan either.
One thing you need to check is the front crossmember where the lower control arms attach, these were notorious for rotting out in the 55 and 56’s, and they are a bear to replace. Other than that this looks like a really sweet crown.Good luck, looker over good, I see undercoating in the trunk under the mat.
Cheers
GPC
Agree with the comments about the continental kit. So many of these old cars are ruined by adding them.
Does this have the plastic roof panel? Kind of looks that way but not 100% sure.
For it’s age, looks incredible to me. Hope someone gets it that will appreciate and drive it.
The acrylic transparent roof panel over the front seat would make this a Crown Victoria “Skyliner.” This one doesn’t have the transparent roof panel which was green and the interior shows a full headliner.
This is a very nice car and quite attractive in black and white. It needs some attention here and there but apparently nothing major. Certainly something different for your local Show ‘n Shine, a nice alternative to the Tri-Five Chevys.
Wow! This really takes me back as I once owned a 1956 Ford Victoria in the very same color.
My favorite uncle had one when I was about 5 or 6 years old. His was painted red and white and it did have the plastic
roof over the front seat too. And boy,
dud his car have presence! It was gorgeous from any angle. I used to take
great delight in going for rides with him and aunt Peggy. And like this car, she was a looker too–right down to her bee
hive hairdo. I’d do anything just to sit next
to her while riding in that car. It’s been
60 years now, and I still have the memory
of it today. Sadly though, it got traded for
a new fully loaded ’60 Chevy Impala ragtop later on that summer. Great find and not all that far from me either. And as Charles said, these were known for
frame rot especially in the Midwest where
I grew up. And if you wanted a bit more punch, just add the cam, intake manifold,
and heads from a 312 T-bird Special if you wanna wow the young ladies and impress your friends. The reason I mention it is due to the sound of the engine as it idles in the video. It sounds
like it was cammed up to me. If you listen, you’ll hear it. Sure does take me back though.
I agree with you about the cam…sounds sweet. Someone is getting a cool old car!
MY favorite Uncle also had one!!! He was an auto body man and his looked great. I believe it had the 292 engine and I believe it had the exhaust exiting the bumper. His had the red/white interior and power windows. This one resembles it well, tho’ the paint on the headlight surrounds is incorrect. I don’t recall the black on the inner surface. I used to drive it when I lived with him and my grandmother at college, It was her car by then and she liked me to drive since she learned to drive late in life. I could have had that car for $100….mistakes we make…
Charlie, Seems like you may be thinking of a ’56, which had a different paint detail around the headlights. ’56 was also the first year that the 292 was available in the Fairlane.
I don’t remember clearly what the engine was, but knowing my uncle, he could have added a ‘56 bumper. As for the lights, I truly don’t remember them being that way, but again, I could be mistaken.
One thing I will confirm, with the Fordamatic, it would not scare anyone. I wonder if thats an additional reason the 55 Chevy was better liked? I was a Ford guy at that time, but I knew little about the comparative performance among the brands.
Research just stated that the 2 speed came out in ‘51
Charlie, the original Fordomatic was a 3 speed but it started in 2nd gear. Borg Warner was the developer and the had problems getting a smooth 1-2 shift. BW choose to start in 2nd for smoother operation. The 2 speed Fordomatic was developed about 1959 as a low cost option.
Lucky its not a Skyliner, unlike sun roofs today ,you had sun no matter what the wheather, they got very warm and there was no stopping the heat. Looks to be a very nice car.
56’s had the exhaust through the bumper pretty sure 55’s didn’t, and a Fordomatic is a 2 speed like the powerglide not a 3speed, three speed was a cruiseomatic which i think were introduced with the 332″ FE engine
Ford’s two-speed auto came out in 1959.
I stand corrected. Next time I will read the ENTIRE paragraph!!🙄
https://www.charlietranny.com/Fordomatic.htm The first-gen Fordomatic was sometimes mistakenly called a two speed because under normal acceleration they started out in second gear. First gear could be selected manually, or with the shifter in drive, by flooring the gas. Info on the 2-speed: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-1959-1963-two-speed-fordomatic-ford-builds-a-powerglide/
https://www.charlietranny.com/Fordomatic.htm First gen Fordomatic was a 3-speed. First gear had to be selected manually, or by flooring the gas with the shifter in drive. Info on the Ford 2-speed: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-1959-1963-two-speed-fordomatic-ford-builds-a-powerglide/
Kudos to the seller for about the most thorough presentation of a car for sale I have seen on Flea Bay or Fredslist.
Looks like a good find. The only concern I have as a kibbitzer is the crusty underneath. Is that mud crusted over rust and undercoating?
Other than that I wish it was cheaper :)
Black and white two tone was used by several auto makers of the era. I had 55 Olds 98 holiday 4 door hdtp of the same color scheme. It was a really nice car I bought in 67 after separation from the army. I paid $200 for the car eventually burning the valves and selling it to a couple guys who just wanted the engine to put in a 37 Olds coupe they were building.
God bless America
The 55 ford had a 2 speed automatic , But also it had a low gear that you had to manually pull it into . So really it was a 3 speed automatic.
j-sample
I had a Crown Victoria same as this one when I was 18. Would like to bid on this one but, I might be to far down (life’s highway) My (nice) neighbor said the paint would surely blister where I am going. How Rude!!
The “Skyliner” with the transparent top came with a zip in liner for it to block the sunshine. It didn’t really cut down the heat much, but it kept the sun from burning the op of your head. The convertible Fords of this era were called “Sunliner”
If you watched the video, I’m surprised no one mentioned the red ’58 Impala conv. sitting next to it, in the barn. One of my fave years.
At the beginning of Adam’s commentary, he stated, “Sadly, the owner passed away”. Have you ever heard someone say, “Happily, the owner passed away”??
Well, I did, when a former good friend & back-stabbing, snake-in-the-grass neighbor, went behind my back & married my ex. Oh, happy day……LOL!!
My parents had a car identical to this one, without the glass roof, but in red and white. It’s the first car I remember as I was born in 1955. Wouldn’t mind having it today. My dad soon discovered that a two door doesn’t work very well with three small kids (I was #3), so he traded it for a 1959 Galaxie 4-door.
Picture is a representaive example.