About eight months ago, we featured this 1956 Ford Parklane, it was actually listed on Barn Finds Classifieds. Well, the seller didn’t include many photos in their ad, but they’ve now listed it here on craigslist with more photos, so we thought we’d take another look at it. They’ve also dropped their asking price by $1,000 and it’s available for $8,500. The listing states that the car’s in Dallas, Texas but there’s a follow-up note that still references Minnesota as its domicile. So, what’s changed since last August? Let’s find out and a tip of the hat to T.J. for recycling this find!
OK, two-door station wagon fans, I know these body styles are popular with collectors and yes, Chevrolet’s Nomad does seem to suck all of the air out of the room in this market segment. I don’t want to revisit covered ground so I’m examining the name, Parklane, and find it to be curious. Named for an estate in the Dearborn area (not to be confused with Fair Lane, Henry Ford’s estate) the model name was one and done after ’57. But, it resurfaced as “Park Lane” in the late ’50s and ’60s as an upscale Mercury model. Some names, like Vega, Edsel, and maybe Pinto, get damaged and don’t get reincarnated. In spite of Parklane’s inauspicious start, it didn’t get canceled – hyphenated or not.
Unfortunately, the second time around still doesn’t feature an image or description of the engine. The speculation was that it could be a 292 CI V8, and that’s possible but there’s no indicative fender badge present that would indicate a V8. Maybe a 137 gross HP, 223 CI, in-line six, is occupying the engine room. Could that be what’s holding this car back? Generally, engines in a car this old, at least in this condition, get the heave-ho, so whatever the original prime-mover was doesn’t usually matter. But, if it is a six, maybe the price is just a bridge too far.
Based on the door jambs, the hospital ward seafoam green would appear to be this Parklane’s original upper shade. If that’s the case, what’s up with the red dashboard? These were all steel and could be pretty easily repainted, but why red? (It’s a rhetorical question).
One item not referenced before is the grille and its “nubs”, the seller asks the question, “Any 56 experts out there….can you tell me anything about the nubs on the grill. I haven’t seen them on any other 56“. I’m in “search me fish” territory on that one. Beyond that, it’s the same old, same old as before. The rust is still present, the windows are still dirty nothing has changed but the price.
Another curiosity is the car’s location. As stated, the craigslist location is Dallas, and this old Ford is still wearing a Texas plate, but the craigslist map shows Minnesota. It’s not suspicious or anything, it’s just not typical. So, what’s holding this Ford back? Well, I doubt its location, location, location, and more than likely price, price, price. As stated earlier, two-door wagons are popular, and this example seems like a fair subject, so how low will it have to go to snag a new owner?
Well, the listing does state it has an 8 cylinder in it, so I think you are right, it’s the 292…would love to see this when it’s done…
I only read the listing about three times and missed that…
Thx!
JO
Definitely a 56 front end, but the taillights look like they came from a 55. 56 had a trim ring on the inner circle.
Back in the day I owned both a ’55 and a ’56. Taillights: The ’55 had a small-diameter chromed plastic ring around a ‘bullet’, the ’56 had a larger center disk surrounded by a chromed plastic ring. The pictures show me ’56 taillights whose chromed plastic rings went missing.
Okay. We had a 55 4 door wagon with 3 on the tree that Ma drove after we got rid of the 51 Kaiser Traveler. It was a nice Ford that she got used from Jackson Motors on Croton Avenue in Ossining. It was the 6 seat version (don’t know if they had a 8/9 seat version). Nice car with the OHV 6 and round radio dial. Car always had an interesting odor, sort of like a rich pipe tobacco. It was solid red, as I recall.
The taillights are 1956. The inner trim piece has either fallen off of the plating in the plastic trim ring has deteriorated. ’55 taillight lens were round, like the ’56, but had different contours. This car did originally have a V-8, most likely the 292. If you look closely at the right-front photo you can see the 3 small (app. 1/8-inch) holes wear the Thunderbird V8 badges were affixed. I know these cars pretty well– there’s a ’56 Ford Custom Ranch Wagon (my high school car) sitting in my garage, waiting to be resurrected.
It won’t do it by its self ! One thing I have learn thru life is that you better do it now because we aren’t promised tomorrow.
Didn’t the 56 also have a small circular reflector at the very top of the taillight, where the 55 did not????
Am I wrong, or does it appear the roof is higher than normal?
http://1956-ford.com/images1956fordstnwagons/56-stn-wagons-cover-956×647.jpg
Steve I think the ad is obviously drawn and not actual photo. Most likely that is the difference
Looks like a 56 to me,used to own one not many 2 door wagons out there,I think the price is fair showing the condition,looks like a Texas car to me
The roof is as built. All auto advertising of the day made the cars look lower than they actually were.
I don’t care how much they lower the price,it’s not going to sell, it’s a bucket of rust. Take a very good look, it’s beyond repair unless you feel like fabbing a new car. I say JUNK iT!!!
Unless you pay to have it inspected for rust and rot, or do it yourself prior to buying, it’s probably a good idea before just throwing money at it and buying sight unseen. Especially, having no pics or detailed info on the engine.
Nobody should EVER make a purchase sight unseen .or professionally inspected
True on the need for a good inspection. 55 and 56 had a problem with the front lower crossmember, where the lower a-frames bolt , rotted out often.Quite a job to fix. Looker over good!
Cheers
GPC
1957 was called the “Del Rio”
Love the bodystyle, but agree with above, this one looks like it needs a ton of work on the sheetmetal. Drivetrain is NBD; something more modern with a OD trans would be in order.
My personal choice would be a SBF windsor roller engine with an AOD variant (with AC!) but nothing radical, just a nice cruiser.
There’s a reason it’s not selling – condition, price, poor ad? It would be important to fully understand what’s up and have budget/skills/workshop to deal with it.
I’d just rather have this 56 Ford Parklane as an overpriced GM Nomad of the tri fives. Shame the seller didn’t offer more engine pics or details. Fair price even for a rust free rolling chassis at $8500. If rust isn’t an issue.