Bleach Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 I originally posted this in the 54 and newer Ford section but it didn't seem to get much notice so I posted this here.Last week after many months of what seemed like like years, I found a really nice car not too far from me. I cam across this 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan that is mostly original except a repaint and rechromed bumpers and few other small details and most importantly, no rust. It only has just over 30K miles and the mileage is verifiable by the paperwork that I got with it. The interior is all original and in fantastic condition. It runs and drives great. It truly only feels like a three year old used car if that. Everything works (including the radio) except the fuel gauge and the clock but I feel these could be fixed with minimal effort. I'll get my own photos posted as I go. I'm really excited that I found this car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 That's a great looking car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosmo Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 That's a fine looking ride - you should enjoy that car for years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Welcome back! Hard to go wrong with a '50s Ford. Great road manners, perfect '50s styling and colors, and a nice dose of practicality. Excellent find, may you enjoy many happy years with it. There's just nothing like a solid, original car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Thanks all for the kind words. I've picked up an original shop manual to sort out its minor issues. I've driven it a little more and drives really nice. I need to get used to the lack of power brakes for one thing. It takes a bit of effort to get it to stop. I may look into a power brakes kit for it. There are a couple of vendors that seem to have an original reproduction of the system. I'd also like to add A/C but I haven't found anything I really liked yet. The same goes for seat belts. The ones I've seen out there are just generic types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 I always had a soft spot for 55-56 Fords. I Had a 55 victoria, a 55 crown victoria and a 56 victoria back in the 60s. the most I paid was $75 for the crown. They are wonderful rides and I wish you the best of luck and years of pleasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 A Y-Block looks and sounds great too...is it a 292? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 56's always looked like customs right out of the box. Great looking Fords! Good luck with your find..........!Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 I've always considered myself a GM guy but I've always admired the Fords of the 50's. To me they looked better than Chevies plus they had V8's before Chevy did.My car has the T-bird 292 with the 4V t-pot carb and a Ford-o-matic 3 speed transmission. The engine sounds great and my favorite thing is the distinct sound the starter makes when starting.My wife's grandfather had one of these and he worked for Ford when this car was made. He worked on the trim line and there's a very good chance he may put the trim on this very car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kingoftheroad Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Congrats on the purchase of your new toy !!GREAT choice ! Nice looking car !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stock_steve Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Oh that's a great car--great find--good for you! Have fun with it, and please do check back in from time to time to tell us about your further adventures with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Absolutely. I'm sure there are other 55/56 Ford owners and enthusiasts here and I know I'll be able to share things with everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Nice find! Nothing sweeter than the sound of a 56 with dual exhaust. Hope this won't delay your search for a 1st generation Riviera.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 It does put a hold on my search unless I win the lottery or something. I needed to make quite a few concessions to buy this car plus there's no more garage space for anything else either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Some more photos that the seller took. The newspapers were gone but the window crank still needs to be reattached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Well, it sure looks like it was worth the wait to "Finally" getting your vintage car. Very Nice!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl B. Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Bleach, that car is absoluuuuutelllyyy gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!...B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 She is great! Welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Nice! The Fords usually started very easy back in those years also. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BJM Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 BleachThe 55-56 Fords are as nicely styled as the Chevys. As you noted you have V8 power and an automatic. Keep the photos coming. I don't think I have seen a front to back full profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Thanks everyone for all the great compliments.BJM, is this what you mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 BLEACH, I've always loved '56 Fords, too. The Country Sedan and Park Lane station wagons are my favourites but your Town Sedan is great too. Ford had a real knack for two-tone colour combinations that year.I get a kick out of the squiggle design of that upholstery - the Arborite countertops and vinyl-covered kitchen chairs of my parents' 1955-built ranch house had the same pattern! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Maine Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 The '56 is one of my favorite Fords as well. If I found a good one at a reasonable price, I would have a hard time saying no. Yours looks terrific. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Finding the right color combination was the hardest part. I had always wanted one like this and I was very excited when this one came up when it did. My wife commented that the interior pattern had a bit of a feminine appeal to it. I kind of agree with that and plus it made it easy for her to approve my purchasing the car.The first owner of the car was a lady in Nampa Idaho. It was then purchased by an older couple in the late 90's who did some cosmetics to the car. The car then sat in storage for nearly 12 years after the husband passed away in 2000 and I bought it from the widow who decided to finally let it go. It was gone through thoroughly by a mechanic before the widow put it up for sale. The mechanic when over everything with me about what had been done and even put it up on a lift for me to thoroughly inspect the car. I feel very confident about my purchase and it will certainly give me many years of enjoyment. I have a feeling that this car will even outlast me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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