Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth all had redesigned/restyled products in 1955, putting three of the market leaders on an equal footing to compete. Ford introduced the Fairlane nameplate as its top-of-the-line car that year, including the 4-door Town Sedan pictured here. The Fairlane was quite popular, representing more than 40% of full-size production in 1955 (excluding the new Thunderbird). This one has spent the last 50 years in a barn, up on blocks and under a tarp, in Washington State. Now in Olathe, Kansas, the car is in good running condition (for occasional use) and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,750.
The first generation of the Fairlane (named after Henry Ford’s Michigan estate) ran for two years. An inline-six was standard, but a 272 cubic inch “Y-Block” V8 was optional — and that’s what’s under the hood here. All Fairlanes wore a stainless-steel “Fairlane stripe” on the side to set them apart from the two lower series, the Mainline and Customline. 40% of Fairlane sales were directed at families with the Town Sedan (like the one here).
This Ford has spent 63 years in the same family, with ownership beginning with the seller’s grandmother. It was taken off the road in the mid-1970s and stored for decades. We’re told the 272 V8 was rebuilt in 1970 and has 31,000 miles on it, while the whole car has 91,000, so something must have gone amiss at just 60,000. The optional 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission is on the job, and we’re told the car runs well.
A long list of new parts is listed, no doubt installed after it came down off the blocks. Those goodies include the tires, some brakes, partial exhaust, a tune-up, a battery, and more. The gas tank was cleaned out, and then its exterior was undercoated. Rust is said to be limited to the surface variety, though we wonder about the rocker panels. And the driver’s side front fender was replaced with no explanation offered. We think the two-tone paint combination is Pinetree Green Poly Metallic and Snowshoe White. A video of the car in action is provided. Anyone up for an old Ford?
I was immediately thinking, “That sure as heck isn’t Olathe in the photo,” but now I get it; that’s a picture from when it was in Washington.
What is the problem with original steering wheels? However another 10,000 and you have one heck of a car no computer’s to deal with here.
I agree.
Ford-O-Matics up until at least 1958 have 3 speeds, but under normal acceleration they start off in 2nd gear. If you floor it and keep it there you will hear two distinct shifts. Nice survivor but unless kept that way the future owner will be buried forever in resto costs.
cool looking survivor. i see it more as a 6k car. may have an emotional attachment to it.
Grandma may have had a small fender bender on the left front corner and a simple home repair made??? This might also account for the rusty spot on the door behind it?? Basically we have a great entry in the classic car hobby for someone with some basic body work experience. Granted a 4 door sedan is not a flashy as a 2 door hardtop or convertible, BUT they are still rare enough to create a conversation at local shows and gatherings.. With some TLC the buyer will have a great car.
Something amiss at 60k? VEry well could be the oiling system to the valve train. Aftermarket oiling systems were prevalent on the Y blocks.
Since Y blocks were new in 1954 Ford did not have all the bugs out yet.. The oil return holes in the heads would plug up and retain all the oil under the valve covers starving the engine and burning it past the valve stems.
Engine rebuilds at 60k from that vintage were more the norm than exception. The car was 15 yrs old so was driven 4k a year, another norm but also pointing to short trip driving. The valve seals were probably all laying in the oil pan coupled with ring and oil technology far inferior to anything today.
Crazy, we are selling almost the exact car (Montana car, been in inside storage for years) for $1500. maybe our prices are too low.