Sometimes it’s just not fair for Ford fans. The 1955 and 1956 Fords were, by anyone’s standards, beautiful cars, especially the Victoria hardtops and Sunliner convertibles. Of course, Chevrolet had to come along with their Tri-Fives and steal the spotlight for the next seventy years. Don’t let that get you down, Ford people; there’s nothing wrong with being in the Chevy’s shadow, because it would be hard to imagine a solid Bel Air hardtop selling for the same $17,100 asking price as this 1956 Victoria. First-class Barn Finder T.J. found it on craigslist in Los Gatos, California, and while it’s certainly cheaper than a comparable Chevy, it’s definitely not a get-in-and-go purchase.
I love when a seller includes a door tag or a data plate. It’s immediately clear that this Victoria sends up no red flags in terms of equipment.
Let’s start with the serial number:
- M: 202-horsepower 292 “Thunderbird” V8
- 6: 1956 model year
- U: Louisville, Kentucky, assembly plant
- V: Victoria hardtop bodystyle
The second line tells us some more:
- 64C: Fairlane Victoria
- GE: Two-tone “Meadowmist Green” and “Colonial White”
- C: Light Green Vinyl and Medium Green Cloth interior trim
- 28-K: Scheduled October 28th (1955, I assume) build date
Here’s the 292, a member of Ford’s “Y-Block” engine family, their first overhead-valve V8. The seller says the following: The “engine runs well, doesn’t smoke but has loud valve tick,” and the “car runs but it would benefit from a carburetor rebuild.” All signs point to a car that’s been sitting for a long time, and Y-Blocks were known to gum up their oiling passages. The loud valve tick is not a sticking hydraulic lifter; all Y-Blocks have solid lifters. Therefore, you could be dealing with anything from a stuck valve to a bent pushrod to who knows what. Regardless, it would be a good idea to remove both rocker arm assemblies for a good cleaning and check for stuck valves before going any further. Then, you can worry about the carburetor, which should be the Holley “Teapot” four-barrel. Maybe Y-Block experts can chime in here, but I believe that if you upgrade the carburetor to a more modern unit, you also have to change the distributor to one from a post-1956 Ford.
The interior is in “great shape” according to the seller, but they do include a picture of the headliner, which is probably going to need replacing. You might eventually want to add a carpet to the list as well, although it’s not a rush.
The text in the advertisement mentions that the car has 95 percent of its original paint, but it certainly looks as if this area has been repainted.
As has the hood. Maybe the seller is just pointing out areas that have been touched up, but being cynical, I’d imagine that the car has had a quick paint job in its original colors at some point in its life. Other minor issues: a cracked driver’s window (easily cut by a glass shop) and old tires.
OK, so it’s a project. Nevertheless, it’s a 96,400-mile project with almost no rust. I’m having a hard time deciding whether this Victoria is priced in the right ball park or not. Cars of the ’50s have certainly taken a hit in value over the last decade, but this is a desirable model in a desirable ’50s color scheme, and it’s not in bad shape; it just needs a lot of “car that’s been parked for decades” stuff. What do you think?
Great write up Aaron. I have a soft spot for ’55 and ’56 Fords. My Dads first car was a ’55 Crown Vic. ( Pink and white continental kit, 272 2 barrel……. It was the 50’s, What can I say???) This one certainly deserves some attention, straighten the dings out strip it down and a good quality paint job. I remember my Dad saying how that the ’57 Ford outsold the ’57 Chevys, and yet, look at what mostly wound up in the junkyards ( his words not mine), but Aaron reinforced that point in his opening statement ( granted I moved the needle to the ’57 models as well). Ford had some beautiful lines and color combos on their Fairlanes and Crown Vics, and the two tone truly accents it. One big difference between the ’56 and ’55 is Ford did away with the see thru speedometer. I remember my father saying that at times it was hard to see. The ’56 Dash fixed that. I hope this gets restored to stock conditon. It will look absolutely stunning.
The first thing I thought of when I saw the leading pic was a neighbor and my dads mechanic who had same pink and white 55/56s. I also had a second cousin that had a tan and white one.
These cars looked good with the skirts and Continental kits.
That is a fine looking Ford at a fair price. My first memory of these was when my dad brought home a 56 two door sedan in red and white, loved it. Looking at this one I’m conflicted, if this is original paint I’d be tempted to do some touch up and blending rather than repaint to keep it as original as possible.