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?
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