Ford’s Second Generation Customline remained in production for a mere two years, with the company slotting it between its Mainline and Fairlane models. It was offered in several versions, the most stylish being the Victoria. This 1956 example is a tidy vehicle that retains most of its original paint. However, what resides under the hood makes this classic genuinely special. The seller wants to send it to a new home and an appreciative new owner, listing it here on eBay in Wenatchee, Washington. The No Reserve auction has opened at $15,000, but there have been no bids.
Ford offered the Customline with an array of paint options, with this car’s first owner ordering it in a two-tone combination of Platinum Gray and Colonial White. The seller claims most of the paint is original, with the vehicle only receiving minor touch-ups during its life. It still presents exceptionally well, with a beautiful shine and no evidence of significant flaws. It is a similar story with the panels, while the photos suggest the vehicle is rust-free. The chrome is in good order for its age and should be considered acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle. A meticulous new owner may elect to send some items for restoration, but that is unnecessary if they decide to retain the car as a driver-grade vehicle. The tinted glass looks excellent, and the narrow whitewalls perfectly suit this classic’s character. The seller emphasizes the car’s originality, but the stance confirms that someone has dropped the ride height.
Buyers could order their ’56 Customline with the company’s 223ci six or 272ci Y-Block under the hood, with both offering acceptable performance. The Y-Block produced 176hp and 264 ft/lbs of torque when bolted to the Fordomatic transmission, but there was a lesser-known option available to customers for $50 more than the cost of the 272. That money brought the 292ci Thunderbird V8 with 202hp and 289 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. Its breathing was enhanced by a dual exhaust, allowing the Victoria to top 100mph comfortably. That is what resides under the hood of this classic, with the seller emphasizing its originality. However, they made the wise choice of upgrading the brakes with front discs and a dual master cylinder, and those changes would be welcome in an emergency. The Customline is in excellent mechanical health, with the seller indicating they would drive it anywhere. Flying in and driving home seems a viable alternative for the winning bidder.
One aspect of this Ford that confuses is its interior trim. The seller states that the seatcovers and carpet are original, but I’m not sold on that. I have accessed Ford’s original specifications documentation from this era, and the only trim combination that is close is Code-E, but that brought Dark Gray vinyl, Light Gray Grain Wave cloth, and a Dark Gray Metallic instrument panel and garnish molds. It could be some form of Special Order, or my information could be incorrect. If that proves the case, I’m willing to cop that on the chin. The seatcovers and carpet are in exceptional condition, but their presentation isn’t in keeping with the remaining trim and upholstery. The driver’s door trim is wrinkled in one area, but I feel it could be stretched into shape with little effort. Some lighter upholstered surfaces have developed a “dirty” look that is common with age but in contrast with the state of the seats and carpet. The headliner shows some discoloring, but it remains tight and rip-free. Therefore, while I am unconvinced by the originality claims, I acknowledge that the overall condition is easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic.
When I examine the listing for this 1956 Customline Victoria, the only surprise is that it hasn’t received any bids. This classic appears to need nothing beyond some minor detail work that would cost nothing but time if a potential buyer is satisfied with owning a tidy driver. It would undoubtedly turn heads, and with only 33,130 buyers selecting the Victoria out of a total Customline production total of 368,653 cars in 1956, it is relatively rare. I would expect a car of this caliber to comfortably top $20,000 before the hammer falls, but the lack of action suggests that may not be true. Monitoring this auction could be worth it if a 1950s Ford classic has been on your radar. Someone could become its new owner with a single bid if the status quo remains. That sounds tempting to me.
also top engine offered was the 312 with 225 hp 4 barrel duel exhaust it was called thunderbird special v8
My Dad had a 1956 ford station wagon, it had a Thunderbird Special, we thought it was a 312, bought piston rings for a 312, wouldn’t fit. Turns out it was a 292. After a little research we found out a 312 wasn’t available until 1957.
not true as of about march mid year 1956 you could order the 312 in the t bird and also any ford model you wanted parents got a new red and white 1956 ford 9 passenger wagon with 225 hp 312 right off the show room floor, i was there, it was our first new car i was 11 years old remember it well, also close friend ordered a 1956 gray lol mainline 2dr 312 3 speed on the column difference was if it said Thunderbird on small sign on front fender and on valve covers it was a 292 if sign on fender and valve cover said Thunderbird special it was a 312 your father may have got it as a used car and was deceived by a used car salesperson
I like these. In the tri-fives the ’56 is called middle child. I see a little of that here but it appeals to me. Even though the ’57 Ford out sold Chevrolet I cannot understand why. Price maybe? Hank the duece did that in ’54. Why not twice.
Maybe because the Ford was a better looking automobile than the ’57 Chev to buyers of the era and better value for money? Who knows? For my money I would take a ’55 – ’57 Ford over a ’55 – 57 Chev any day.
Got that right … I’d love to have a black ’57 Fairlane Skyliner with the F-Code 312 but I don’t have that kind of coin …
Wow BF thanks for sharing this. One of these was my Father’s first new car he bought after getting married and graduating from college in the same week. He drove a shoebox Ford coupe thru college and wanted an upgrade for married life.
For the money I’d look for one that has a fifties color scheme. We have an over abundance of grayish vehicles. Black, silver, white, gray is the color of our world today. Very depressing, I would say coming from an artist background. Otherwise a nice vehicle.
I had to visit our local Ford dealership yesterday and ALL of the vehicles on the showroom floor were either white or GREY! Absolutely NOTHING would persuade me to buy a Ford if these are the only colours they are producing, and I’m a FORD OVAL fan since 1962!
Our condo overlooks an apartment complex’s parking lot. A few days ago every single car in the lot of 25+ vehicles was black white or silver.
having been born in 1945 i remember cars of the 1950s very well in 1955 guy a couple streets over got a new 1955 ford fairlane convertible yellow and black with yellow and black interior wheel covers real full white walls and dual exhaust the car was a dream for a 10 year old kid still remember it
has a 50 olds for sale too
A very tidy driver indeed! A low key color scheme, good drive train, but does everything have to be lowered?
I like the stance. It isn’t slammed to the ground. Also compare it to a Camry or some other modern can and it really isn’t low at all.
Lowered it for looks of course, but that is a high “throw over” into the trunk.
Nice car! As you might guess I like the slight lowering. Lowered my mother’s “53 hard top without telling her and when she found out she really liked it. As I’ve said before, this is part of a nice run of cars for Ford.
So many vehicles for sale look a million bucks on the outside and in the cabin but then open the hood and OMG! A dirty engine bay and a rusty brake master cylinder. Many sellers miss the point…..
looks like 55 tail lights
no they are 1956 taillights center on 1955only small refeltor
My Dad bought a 1956 Country Sedan new in Cincinnati. I (5 years old) went with him to pick it up. What I remember about that day was that the car lot was dirt, and it was late in the day (dusk). Also, it had to be late summer 1955 because we moved away in fall 1955, it would have been early in the model year.
It had the Thunderbird Special, and I have believed for 66 years that it was a 312.
Rich
probably was a 312 in beginning of 1956 model 312 was a mercury engine and tbird engine and was in some reg ford’s just not on the options list till later in year was it a 9 passenger with 3rd seat parents bought one in 1956 new great car
Thanks – No 3rd seat – Black/White with Red interior
Oldnash
You have a good eye I had a 2dr hardtop Customline in 1971 when I was in the AirForce at McCord in Washington, it was robins egg blue . You see lots of 2dr sedans
But never see 2dr hardtops with customline trim , most wore the Victoria trim . Love the body lines on the hard top
A Customline Victoria is somewhat unusual. Most were 2 dr hardtop Victorias were Fairlanes. I have only seen one other.
Victoria was the name Ford used for all there 2dr hard tops
I agree it is unusual, most tri fives that you see today are either Crown Vics, or the Fairlane Vic. My son has a 56 in his garage, was his grandfather’s, left after his passing. Peacock blue and Colonial white, 292 tbird 4v automatic . Most of the custom lines I see are the 4 doors
I had a 1956 just like this same color 292 auto paid $65 for it in 1964 ran good