One-Owner: 1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
The Fairlane was introduced as Ford’s top-line automobile in 1955, replacing the previous Crestline. Its name was derived from Henry Ford’s estate in Dearborn, Michigan. It would remain a part of the Ford portfolio through 1970 although it evolved into a mid-size product at the halfway mark. This 1955 2-door sedan is said to be a one-owner car but little else is known about it other than it originated in Georgia before relocating to Florida. Now in Ocoee in the Sunshine State, this Ford is available here on eBay where the first bid has yet to be cast at $7,500.
After five years, the Fairlane was moved into a secondary position at Ford when the Galaxie line was created to capitalize on the growing space race (get it: space race, Galaxie, etc.). Fast forward to 1962 when the Fairlane became the name of a new product line Ford was rolling out, an intermediate that was positioned between the new compact and their full-size cars. The Fairlane name was phased out in 1970 with the promotion of the Torino brand.
Besides the one-owner label, little information about this 1955 Ford is disclosed by the seller. It looks to have been sitting outside for some time and has a variety of dents and dings in various places in or on the body. But we’re told the automobile is generally straight and that rust isn’t a big problem. There is a V8 under the hood which is probably a 272 cubic inch engine. What is not likely is that it’s the Thunderbird V8 that displaced 292 cubic inches. The valve covers are missing, so who knows how much work will be needed to get it running again.
Ford built more than 173,000 of these Club Sedans in 1955. The 61,500 miles on the odometer could be accurate if the car has been off the road for an extended number of years. A bill of sale from Georgia will have to suffice as there is no title to cover this automobile. Restoring this auto will take time, patience, and a budget. Is this a fair price for the level of work needed with this project?
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Comments
If this car doesn’t have any rust on it someone please tell me how all that mud got on and probably in that engine. That muck didn’t just jump into that engine compartment by itself. Float, maybe yes, jump no.
Pressure washer,weld up what’s left, make a Gasser,or a street freak,Russ usually calls street freaks Gassers.
Up here in the northeast, the 55 and 56 ford cars had a problem with the front crossmembers rotting out, where the lower a frames mount. Also you might find some holes in that roof. Sure is a neat unmolested 55. As RW says, would make a great gasser project. I’d like to see a 390 4 speed in it! Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
Look up Skairlane YouTube ,Badass
$750, perhaps. That turkey needs just about everything.
I was thinking 2K tops
How the mileage is relevant in a car in such condition escapes me.
When I was a kid back in the 60’s an old man drove a plain black 55 Ford, no chrome with Thunderbird v8 emblem on the side. I know that specks said that the 292 only came with automatic transmissions and 272 came with either one. My uncle had a red and white Crown Victoria with Thunderbird v8 and Fordomatic tranny, beautiful car
There was an article in Hot rod magazine a couple of years back about a 55 Ford two post car like this. They did a major restore/mod but IMO, the paint job they did ruined it for me. I would like to restore this car to completely original other than the six volt system. I suspect it would get more attention and compliments than most of the tri-five Chevies at cruise-ins. I’ve driven Fords like this and they are faster than you might expect.
Rust not a problem?? Neither are alligators in Florida!
When I worked for SC Dept of Corrections, they did a total body off restoration of a ’55 Ford. It went to the SC Law Enforcement Museum in Columbia SC. It is a total static display in the paint combination of the SCHP at that time. The inmates, in the body shop, did a good job restoring it. Not a perfectly detailed car, but good.
I believe this same car was on marketplace about a week or so ago……for less….. obviously didn’t sell to a local……🤔
cars in much worse shape have been restored…. Since the popular swap now in an LS, I say keep it Ford and put a Coyote in it
Granted, a rust baked car. I would mechanically fix her up and drive it as is. Oh, and weld up the holes to keep the critters out.
Ford offered the 292CI engine only in the Thunderbird in 55. The 272 was the only V8 available for passenger car use. A 162 HP 2 Barrel Carburetor or 182 HP 4 Barrel.
I just looked it up and the 292 was an available option in Fairlanes and Station Wagons late in the year. I guess different sources say different things but I know my Uncle James had a Crown Vic that came with a 292 Thunderbird v8.
Our family car in 55-57 was like this one, except two-tone blue. It must have had the four-barrel carb as it came from the factory with dual exhausts, a first from Ford that year. Fordomatic trans. Mufflers lasted about seven months as Ford hadn’t figured out back pressure or whatever and water condensed right in the mufflers and rotted them out rather rapidly. First start up in the morning would spurt water out of both tailpipes, kind of like a Chris Craft mahogany runabout. Dad was trading every two years, near the middle of the year but didn’t get the opportunity to do so with this one as he was hit more or less head on by an old Buick on the way to work one morning, inflicting about $1600 damage to the Ford, totaling it. Arrived home in a brand new 57 Ranch Wagon, blue and white. First car with vinyl upholstery. Couldn’t wait for the two years to pass, when he bought a black four-door Fairlane 500 with cloth upholstery, much more pleasant in NH summers and deep winters. Finally overcame his fear that we kids would manage to open the back doors while underway and tumble out. Took my driver’s exam in that car (no power steering) took it to my senior prom in 62 and several other adventures until it was replaced with a 64 Rambler American.