Both Ford and Chevrolet rolled out restyled automobiles in 1955 as the competition between the two companies was greater than ever. The Fairlane was the top-line Ford, a counterpoint to Chevy’s Bel Air. And the Fairlane Victoria and Crown Victoria hardtops were designed to out-Bel Air the Chevrolet. A Victoria hardtop like the seller’s car didn’t have the fancy wraparound band on the C-pillar like the Crown Victoria. This running car is said to be a survivor wearing its original paint and interior, and the Victoria is near Somerset, Massachusetts, and available here on craigslist for $12,000 firm. Thanks for the cool tip, T.J.!
The seller refers to this Victoria as a “barn find” but sometimes that’s an overextended term. It has a Y-block (because of its shape) V8 engine with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. The motor’s displacement is either 292 or 312 cubic inches, depending on which box the original buyer checked. The output varied by 15-25 horsepower. But the big news in the mechanical department for 1956 was Ford’s shift to a 12-volt electrical system, which made for easier starting.
Safety was a big item in Ford’s marketing quiver for 1956, with most of the changes coming in the passenger compartment. For example, the steering wheel had its center deeply recessed, the door latches were modified to keep the doors from popping open in a collision, and the rearview mirror was updated to help prevent cracked glass from being dispersed into the interior. In 1956, Ford delivered 177,700 Victoria 2-door hardtops vs. 9,200 Crown Vics and just 600 of the Crown Victoria Skyliners with the transparent plexiglass roof.
The two-tone paint on the seller’s car looks a bit tired in places and some wax and elbow grease might help in that department. There is no reference to any rust but there could be a few bubbles here and there. The interior seems to be fine, though the upholstery may be a bit stretched with age and use. The odometer has rolled past 100,000 miles and there is no title, so be sure your DMV will accept a bill of sale on a 66-year-old-car as grounds to issue a title in your name.
Looking at the ad listing, I see evidence of rust/perforation on both quarters, the fenders and the door bottoms. (IMO) in the condition this car is in, $12K FIRM, no less will result in a NO SALE. I wonder if they have the fender skirts for it? I have a soft spot for these as my Dad bought the showroom floor display model. I’ve also come to realize that I think these are prettier than their counterpart, the 55 Chevy. GLWTS!! :-)
Rust on the rocker cover might be an indication that all is not well underneath as Moparman has indicated. Nicely designed cars though.
There is a lot of rust on the car 1955 & 1956 are know to have lots of hidden rust on them, I know from working on them.
In 1966, as a fresh HS grad and having landed a job as a DJ 25 miles up the road ($1.05/hr), I needed a car for the summer. I bought 1 identical to this (2 tone blue-white) for $50.00. At the gas station I would ask they “fill up the oil and check the gas”.
Actually, I would save the oil from my dad’s 65 Caddi and strain it thru a rag and dump into the V8.
3 months later, off to college and sold it for $70.00. Cost of ownership: probably $50 in gas less the $20 profit on sale.
Link does not go to craigslist or this vehicle. Goes to a dealer in Denver.
In comparison GM trumped Ford. We know that. Sorry if you are blue oval. The 265 was a better engine in the long run and still has staying power today. The GM can boast a whole Chinese aftermarket dedicated to tri fives and even replacement bodies now. A fine 800 build a car catalog with more parts then GM ever had.
In the engine department Ford owned the V8 market with the flathead. When they went OHV never had what it took. In fact in 1957 Rambler had the fastest sedan second only to the Corvette.
I will say the Crown Vic and the glass tops are an exception. I think they are certainly on a different level of class. Ford did go above the bar on those. No one had anything like it.
This car although original paint means from the looks of the quarter panels and interior it will need a complete restoration. Would say the tea pot carb will need attention as well. This economy is crazy. I am not. Too high a price to drive like you are Aunt Bea.
I got a 1972 Mustang on the link. BTW, that could also be a 272 under the hood, because it was a popular choice during that time.
The B post is where the Crown went over the roof, not C post
If my memory serves me well i believe a Fairlanes came with a 312ci motor.
As an option, my 56 had a 292.
front frame cross-member used to rot out on these cars..it’s a piece of junk…still back in the day it was better looking than the 55 chev imho
I had one just like this, except mine was black and white.
My brother got a solid white one like this for his 1962 – 1964 high school days from Pop. Had the 292 that Pop overhauled. Duals and a 4 barrel with a bump in compression made it a runner. It was bull nosed, the hood and trunk ornaments removed along with the bumper guards. 3 spoke spinner hub caps and a record player inside. 2 speed automatic and power steering. Brother ended up driving it while in college, but eventually gave it back to Pop when he bought his new GTO in 1967. Mom drove it for many years back and forth to work. It was eventually rear ended by a drunk driver, mom and Pop survived without an injury, but the Ford was crumpled in the rear. Pop kept it in the garage till 1987. Mom sold it to a passerby one day for $300 bucks. Pop was pissed.
Based on the emblems on the front fender I’d have to say it’s a 312 has the Tbird logo 292’s had just a V with the number 8 inside it, that’s what my 56 Fairlane had although it was a 2dr post sedan
I love the looks of these, but the price may be quite aggressive. But, I could be very wrong. Best of luck to the seller.
I was a teenager in the late 60’s when I bought, drove, worked on, and sold several of these 56 fords. My thoughts when I view this particular car are as follows: It was probably driven about 80,000 miles and well cared for in the damp northeast where they salt roads in the winter. The owner probably took it in to the local garage for the yearly required safety inspection and was told that the front suspension and steering were no longer safe due to a rusted out front crossmember. The car was too nice to junk, so it was kept in an old building for decades until now. Front crossmember on these filled up with water and had poor if any drainage. Probably why these cars are so scarce
First car was a 56 2dr sedan, 6cyl. three speed. I beat the living heck out of this car and it would not die. Used to drive it through fields and woods at our hunting place. That car was driven into the woods and parked forever as a hunting post. Tree growing up through it today. Eventually it would pop out of second after wound up. Just held it in position until ready to do third.
Could burn rubber, and a little in 2nd as well.
Second car was a 56 Victoria. V8 was shot, and dropped a 6 cyl. in it. Got Mustang buckets from junkyard, and wire hub caps. A real looker.