Running Project: 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria
With all-new sheet metal in 1955, Ford put up a strong offense against both Chevrolet and Plymouth. The Crown Victoria, as part of the Fairlane series, would be the top-of-the-line car offered by the Ford division. The “Crown Vic” was distinguishable by its chrome “basket handle” across the hardtop roof, which had first appeared on a Mercury concept car. We’re told this ’55 Crown Victoria runs and drives, but it’s going to need cosmetic attention inside and out. Located in Athens, Texas, this Ford is available here on craigslist for $10,700. Thanks for the FOMOCO tip, T.J.!
New for 1955 was the Fairlane as Ford’s top series, replacing the Crestline. At the top of the Fairlane leaderboard was the pillarless Victoria hardtop, the chrome-pillar Crown Victoria, and the Skyliner which was the latter with a transparent “skylighted” top. They would build 113,000, 33,000, and 2,000 copies, respectively. The seller’s car is the steel roof Crown Vic with a V8 engine, which could be either a 272 cubic inch edition or the larger 292 motor borrowed from the Thunderbird. We can’t make out which from the photo provided.
Details are sketchy with this Ford although we’re told it moves around under its own power. Given the condition of the interior (worn materials and very dirty), we assume the car has been dormant at some point. We’re told the car is “original” which could mean the paint is 67 years old. What’s there has loads of surface rust and there is no mention if it’s any worse elsewhere on a car that the seller calls a “great builder that’s ready to restore.”
Like some of GM’s products, the 1955 Fords featured panoramic windshields, a new trend for the latter 1950s. With this setup, the A-pillars have a vertical angle which offers the driver greater visibility. From what we can see the glass is all good or at least not cracked. Once restored, this Ford would be a car less often seen than its contemporaries from Chevrolet which have a greater following with collectors.
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Comments
I like the y blocks, despite their bad rap early on. In those days oils were low in detergents and Joe Commuter wasn’t always prompt on oil changes. With today’s oils, no problem.
“The seller’s car is the steel roof Crown Vic with a V8 engine, which could be either a 272 cubic inch edition or the larger 292 motor borrowed from the Thunderbird.”
Would be a 272 because the 292 wasn’t offered in the ’55 Fords, just the T-Bird. You had to wait until ’56 to get it in the Ford line and then only in Fairlanes and wagons until the 312 was added partway through the ’56 model year (Fairlanes and wagons only).
The Skyliner name was not used in ’55.
you are all most right love the 312 s parents bought new 1956 Ford 9 passenger wagon 225 hp 312 and friend bought customline 2 door sedan 312 3 on the column you could get a 312 in any Ford you wanted I was there I know for sure great car and skylines not used again till 1957 on hideaway hardtop convertible
My dad had a 55 semi junk wagon eons ago, it had 292 four-barrel Holley carb
I am not a Ford fan. But I would take this ’55 over any ’55 Chevrolet.
you are all most right love the 312 s parents bought new 1956 Ford 9 passenger wagon 225 hp 312 and friend bought customline 2 door sedan 312 3 on the column you could get a 312 in any Ford you wanted I was there I know for sure great car and skylines not used again till 1957 on hideaway hardtop convertible
This poor thing is going to need a lot of work.
that 12 volt battery will burn out 1 of the best radios made….the 6v starter will handle the extra voltage but will spin at a high rate…..i always thought the 55 looked better than the 56
It’s an absolute crime to see such a beautiful car deteriorate to this state. When I see cars like this, I always wonder, “Who would let such a beauty fall so hard?” I know I love cars way more than the average person, but to think this was brand-new, rolling off the assembly line and onto the showroom floor, and to see it now…for me, it’s just sickening. I hope someone, somewhere, has the time, money, and love to bring this former beauty back. So sad.
Most of these were driven to death and then scrapped, such is the fate of most automobiles, whether its a bare bones econobox or a top of the line luxury car. At one point this car was a horribly dated looking, worn out 10 year old car that you could have purchased for 100 bucks or less. I’ve seen pictures of Crown Vics that were made into Hobby stock cars . 40 years ago I put a 70 Mark III Continental in a demo derby. It was free, and never thought twice about its future collectability, it was just another junk car. My buddy at the same time was cutting up 68 and 69 Chevelles for his stock car- The worthless parts we threw away back then would be worth a small fortune today .
Sure this is really tired looking, but at least its still around and can be saved !
My Dad bought a four door same color as this in 57 that did have a factory 292 in it. For it’s day it was a real runner.
what year they come out with the 312?
I think it must have been 1957.
I hear all these stories about 292 engines being available in 55 but have never seen one, nor have I seen any factory literature showing the 292 being offered in anything other than the T Bird