A bumper question for 56's

[Daves55Sedan]

The '55 and '56 Customline/Mainline series rear bumpers are the exact same identical part. All they did was change the part # from B5A to B6A.
All '56 Fairlanes that had a V8 were 292's with a different decal on the valve covers that says "Thunderbird Special V8". '56 Customlines and Mainlines with a 272 used the '55 valve cover decal that read "FORD V8".
'56 Customlines, Mainlines and wagons having a 223 or 272 all had the plain bumper that was standard on a '55's.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by reman

The 55 272 dual exhaust would also fit the 56, and they all came out under the bumper.

As an aside, I have always thought that the 272 was available in the 56 Custom. I had one with a 6 cyl but also had one with a 272. Though I guess someone could have swapped it out.

You're correct.

The 1955 272 was available as either a 2V 162HP - SGL EXH or, 4V 182HP - DUAL EXH.

The 1956 272 was only available as a 2V SGL EXH.

The 1956 FAIRLANE had the 223 as the basic engine and the 292 as optional power (312 mid-model year intro). The 272 was not available on the FAIRLANE.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

The '55 and '56 Customline/Mainline series rear bumpers are the exact same identical part. All they did was change the part # from B5A to B6A.

The PN was not changed. It remained in cataloging until MPC FINAL PRINT - 1964.

All '56 Fairlanes that had a V8 were 292's with a different decal on the valve covers that says "Thunderbird Special V8".

'56 Customlines and Mainlines with a 272 used the '55 valve cover decal that read "FORD V8".

ROCKER COVER DECAL-MANIA - PASS CAR

272 'FORD'
292 'THUNDERBIRD'
312 'THUNDERBIRD SPECIAL' (1956 Mid-Year Intro - Optional Engine)

'56 Customlines, Mainlines and wagons having a 223 or 272 all had the plain bumper that was standard on a '55's.

While both years used the same mounting bracketry (except the 56 exhaust cut-out model - slight differences)) and the rear body panels were the same, there had to be a subtle difference in the different year low end face bars. The 1956 low end bar had to mirror the 1956 high end bar.

It is going to be hard to determine nowadays as many cars have a plethora of parts mixing.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

So, my question is, did the original Victoria have the bumpers with the openings in them for the exhaust, or, was that an option, and the exhaust could also be set up for under the bumper?

While pondering ...

1956 saw many FOMOCO cars with bumper mounted exhaust outlets-

1) FORD

2) BIRD

3) LINC

4) CONT

[Ford56]

Lots of interesting, and knowledgeable, answers & observations here, as I hoped there would be. Since I'm not planning on changing what is already on the car I'm in the process of buying ('56 Victoria), and the dual exhausts run under the bumper, and there are not slot openings in the bumper, I'm going to answer, when I'm inevitably asked at shows or cruises, is that an original bumper, I can now authoritatively say, it is likely a '55 bumper, or a lower model '56. That should satisfy the curious, or the know-it-all's, as the case may be.

[KULTULZ]

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Funny thing...


On the way to the bank early today, I spotted a 55 on a car trailer in WallyWorld. Had to stop and ask and he said he had just bought and loaded it. The car was brought here by the owner who was in Staunton, VA. He was from outside Scranton.


It was a 55 CROWN with a 56 EXH OUTLET bumper on it. No pipes but only the face bar. Talk about coincidence.

[reman]

I've never seen that. Always the other way around. Maybe someone just liked the 56,s better.

[KULTULZ]

Sorry about that. What I meant it was a 55 with a 56 bumper on it.

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Funny thing...


On the way to the bank early today, I spotted a 55 on a car trailer in WallyWorld. Had to stop and ask and he said he had just bought and loaded it. The car was brought here by the owner who was in Staunton, VA. He was from outside Scranton.


It was a 55 CROWN with a 56 EXH OUTLET bumper on it. No pipes but only the face bar. Talk about coincidence.

Well, now that you'all have pointed out the differences, and the years and models involved, I'll never be able to look at another '56 without inspecting which is which. For over 35 years, I had my Fairlane Club Sedan, and even though it had the slots, and the pipes ran under the bumper, I never even gave it a single thought. Now, I'll be checking out all '55's and '56's to see what is which.

[scicala]

"Well, now that you'all have pointed out the differences, and the years and models involved, I'll never be able to look at another '56 without inspecting which is which."




That's funny, I was just thinking the same thing.


Sal

[raceron1120]

My '56 Fairlane does not have exhaust thru the bumper. It was original 312 automatic. If it came from the factory with the exhaust thru the bumper, it was converted before I got it. And I have owned it since 1968.

[Ford56]

I just added a pic of my 56 Victoria to my Avatar, so you can clearly see what I'm talking about regarding the bumper and the exhaust. Those chrome tips really emphasize the placement.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

I just added a pic of my 56 Victoria to my Avatar, so you can clearly see what I'm talking about regarding the bumper and the exhaust.

Those chrome tips really emphasize the placement.

This ... ?

[KULTULZ]

! ultimate !

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

This ... ?

Yup, that's what we're talking about, and even though my Club Sedan, w/a 302, had the slots, the exhaust ran out under the bumper, and for all the 35 years I'd owned it, I just assumed that during a rebuild, someone was trying to either take a cheap way out, or just couldn't be bothered running a special exhaust pipe over to the cut outs. Anyway, like I said, I'll never be able to look at another 56 w/o examining the model to see if its "the way it was back in the day" depending on engine option, etc.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

Yup, that's what we're talking about, and even though my Club Sedan, w/a 302, had the slots, the exhaust ran out under the bumper, and for all the 35 years I'd owned it,

I just assumed that during a rebuild, someone was trying to either take a cheap way out, or just couldn't be bothered running a special exhaust pipe over to the cut outs.

Anyway, like I said, I'll never be able to look at another 56 w/o examining the model to see if its "the way it was back in the day" depending on engine option, etc.

I think the reason(s) for not repairing the exhaust outlets were the damage leaded gas did to the exhaust (I have also seen the face bar eaten) and probably the cost of returning it to OEM style (and parts being discontinued). Two tailpipes were a lot cheaper.

While I have you here ... we need a larger photo of your 56 ...

[Ford56]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

I think the reason(s) for not repairing the exhaust outlets were the damage leaded gas did to the exhaust (I have also seen the face bar eaten) and probably the cost of returning it to OEM style (and parts being discontinued). Two tailpipes were a lot cheaper.

While I have you here ... we need a larger photo of your 56 ...

Yeah, the cut out tips on my Club Sedan were a little discolored and I was always going to get around to it, "one of these days", but that never happened. I always assumed that the carbon caused the discoloration and plus the over 27 years old when I bought it, all contributed to just leaving it alone. It didn't bother me at all.

I'll see what I can do about a larger photo of the new to me 56 Victoria

[Ford56]

So, not being too computer literate, I'm trying to post a larger picture of my 56 Victoria.
Here goes my effort, we'll see if it works:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1538826464

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford56

Yeah, the cut out tips on my Club Sedan were a little discolored and I was always going to get around to it, "one of these days", but that never happened. I always assumed that the carbon caused the discoloration and plus the over 27 years old when I bought it, all contributed to just leaving it alone. It didn't bother me at all.

I'll see what I can do about a larger photo of the new to me 56 Victoria

Yeah, carbon too. One would be able to keep up with it now due to fuel changes. Back then, it most likely an every weekend deal.


ETHYL was a shameless hussy ...

[Anteek29]

Have we EXHAUST-ed all possibilities? LOL