RESTORED-TO-STOCK HARDTOP '56, 292 V8, FORD-O-MATIC, BUILT TO SHOW OR CRUISE!!

If you like Fords, the 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria has to be at the top of your wish list. It's the perfect example of Ford in the '50s, with plenty of chrome, including the distinctive spears that run from nose to tail. With a nice restoration and classic colors, not to mention a snarky V8 engine, this Vicky has a lot to offer.Raven Black was a popular color on the 1956 Fords, and it emphasizes the wonderful sweeping trim that defined Ford's top-of-the-line models. With a nice-looking repaint using modern materials, this car is straight and clean, with no signs of abuse, neglect, or shoddy repairs in its past. Every bit as stylish as its Chevrolet competition, the Ford offers a grace that seems more upscale and refined than the Chevy, and the single-tone finish here emphasizes that formality. It's not perfect, but if you want to take it up a notch, a professional buff would really make this black paint shine. Bodywork is straight and clean, the doors close with a precision that's tough to describe if you haven't experienced it, and there's an honesty to the car that's hard to quantify. It's almost like you can feel the years, but somehow they haven't stuck to the car. The dramatic trim is in great shape, the chrome bumpers don't even show parking lot dings, and all the original glass is miraculously intact. And out back there's a period continental kit, which seems more at home here than on almost any other car this side of a Continental.The black and white interior was fitted with fresh upholstery that includes funky cloth inserts, but otherwise it still looks like 1956 in there. At some point the door panels, headliner, and carpets were also replaced, so it all has a consistent look that's quite authentic. Options include an AM radio (not functional but it would be a shame to remove it) and a heater, which was still optional in 1956. It's all quite tasteful and subtle for the mid-50s. The original gauges recall those of the Thunderbird, and they're in excellent condition with clear lenses, bright markings, and vivid orange pointers. The trunk is big enough for a long vacation, and shows none of the usual signs of neglect that lesser cars do.The 292 cubic inch Y-block V8 was the standard-bearer for Ford in the face of the small block Chevy, and it acquits itself quite nicely in this lovely hardtop. From outward appearances, it's quite likely that this engine has been recently detailed, wearing bright Ford Red paint and Thunderbird V8 valve covers. The big silver air cleaner appears original and those unique exhaust manifolds have been coated to stay looking great for years. The Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission was a popular option in 1956, and it shifts smoothly out on the open road, making this a superb long-distance cruiser. The chassis is quite clean, wearing a protective coat of undercoating, as well as a new exhaust system with glasspack mufflers, a fresh gas tank, and lowering blocks in back, just to help with the stance a bit. Factory wheels and hubcaps are fitted with 215/75/15 Firestone whitewall radials that really do improve the ride and handling.If you're a Ford fan who has noticed that the tri-five Fords are going up while the Chevys are going down, this car offers a lot of charisma and elegance that stands out in a crowd. Call today!