1955 Ford Fairlane

[1942deluxe]

Dave, by 1969 there were only two 1950's cars in the "burg" where we grew up. My Grandmother's 1956 Mercury and a local banker's 56 Buick. Howard kept driving the Buick so if someone came in the bank for a car loan he could tell them they didn't need a car loan. "Why do you need a new car? I'm still driving a 56 Buick". One day when I was out scrounging parts for my 54 Mercury I met a cowboy looking guy from out west with a very stock looking nice 56 Customline 2dr sedan. I asked him what engine, 292 or 312? He opens the hood and there was a 427 Ford! What a sleeper! Most of the 50's cars were off the road by the mid 60's due to rust in this area.

[1942deluxe]

55 toy.jpg
I decided I needed a 1955 Fairlane bank to save money after buying the real 55 Ford. Two things that seem to interest people when the car is out are it has a Fulton traffic light finder and curb feelers on the passenger side. Kind of a generational thing if they know what they are.

[Gene F]

Will that bank hold enough coin to pay for parts these days? LOL

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by Gene F

Will that bank hold enough coin to pay for parts these days? LOL

When I was a kid, I loved 1/24th scale plastic model cars. I built an AMT '55 Ford Crown Victoria, a Revell 1940 Ford pickup truck, an AMT '49 Merc 2-dr sedan and a Revell '48 Ford convertible.
I sat them all on top of my bedroom dresser and used them as piggy banks. When they overflowed, I started using shoeboxes and stored them on the bedroom closet floor. By the time I turned 16, I emptied all the piggy banks and shoeboxes and counted the money.
I had nearly $500.00. I had to save one more month to earn another $50 to buy my first car, a 1955 Ford sedan (my avatar).
But no, I don't think you could save enough money in piggy banks through childhood nowadays to pay cash for a 17 year old used car.

[c.murray]

I remember riding in the back seat of a 55 Ford on 400 Highway when it was gravel.

[Y-Blockhead]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Use your first winter to put on the power steering. Each piece can be rebuilt for a fair cost at Lares Steering in Cambridge Minnesota. They can be thrusted. The car takes on a whole new enjoyment with P/S and the auto trans. Your bride will drive the wheels off it.

Ford Granada power steering along with Granada power disc brakes are a relatively easy swap into a 55-56 Ford.

Years ago, I got a 1978 Granada and swapped out brakes, steering, rear end and adapted the C-4 transmission to a '57 312" into my '55 Ranchwagon.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

I asked him what engine, 292 or 312? He opens the hood and there was a 427 Ford!

They can also be fairly easily outfitted with a 332, 352 or 390 with no major modifications and using original motor mounts. And, you don't have to break your back to get to the distributor on those. Do know what modifications if any were required for transmissions though.

[Gene F]

C-4 transmission. Interesting.

My 57 has a tri-power, and I sure enjoy it.

[1942deluxe]

56 mercury.jpg
If you look carefully you can see my Grandparents 56 Mercury Medalist in the background. This is the car that brought me home from the hospital when I was born. They bought it as a carryover after the 57's came out. No radio or clock.

[1942deluxe]

seat buttons.jpg
On Cathy's 55 Fairlane 3 of the front seat buttons were missing. I found some on Ebay but boy they weren't cheap. The tan ones are available if someone needs them. The packages had dates on them from 1955.

[mercman from oz]

NOS Upholstery Seat Buttons purchase by 1942deluxe for their 1955 Ford Fairlane

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
I got over to John's place to help him just a little with a stuck screw. While there I took some pictures of his very nice 55!










Regards,
Chris and Cheryl