1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible 13160 Miles Goldenrod Yellow and Raven

The old adage that you shouldn't buy the first year of any production car that's significantly new or revised was obviously playing in the hearts of Ford buyers in the early 1950s. The flathead was replaced in 1954 by the Y-block overhead valve V8 and that was a big step forward, particularly with Chevy's small block V8 on the horizon. But it wasn't until 1955 that Ford really hit their stride. Bodywork was all-new, the iconic Fairlane name was attached... to the top-of-the-line models, they adopted wrap-around windshields for a thoroughly modern look, and the chassis was significantly upgraded, including bigger brakes. One look at this dazzling 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner convertible will tell you that Ford was indeed hitting on all eight cylinders in the mid-50s. Featuring a high-quality restoration to factory specs, this beautifully outfitted Sunliner features what is arguably the most dramatic of all 1955 color combinations: code AV Raven Black over Goldenrod Yellow. The fresh styling was long and sleek, and the restrained use of chrome gave the Ford a very upscale look, particularly for its price class. Advances in manufacturing paid off with improved fit and finish and the all-new design means that it does everything better than the earlier cars. Many enthusiasts call this the "bumblebee" paint scheme, and that's certainly an appropriate descriptor of the striking combination; nobody's going to miss this car going down the road. The restoration work is extremely nice, with laser-straight bodywork and exemplary paint that still looks good several years later. There are no waves or ripples, fit and finish is probably better than new, and with that long spear of chrome along the flanks, panel alignment better be right. This car also carries accessories like the unusual bumper guards and a continental kit, which strikes us as a great addition that makes the Ford seem even more impressive in person. Little details like the Ford emblems on the nose and tail, Sunliner script, and the lovely red plastic insert on the deck-mounted antenna are all in great condition, more indicators of quality workmanship. This is just a gorgeous car, no matter where you're looking. The code R black and yellow interior is really the only possible choice with the two-tone paint job, and if you own a '50s car, there's no point in trying to be subtle. That's just not the point. Correctly finished with factory-style materials and patterns, it's a great place to spend some time. There's some minor stretching on the front seat, probably unavoidable on a car that's been driven, and seat belts have been added for safety. Everything else looks almost new, including the carpets and stylish door panels which offer plenty of chrome. The two-tone instrument panel should look familiar to Ford fans, particularly the domed speedometer, and all the gauges are fully operational. In fact, everything works, including the factory AM radio and clock, which ticks away in the dash. We suspect that the mileage shown on the odometer, 13,160, is since the restoration was completed and that would be in line with the car's outstanding condition. Overhead there's a black power canvas top that looks upscale and seals up well, and there's a matching black boot that smooths out the profile with the top down. The large trunk is neatly outfitted with a correct plaid mat, as well as a correct jack assembly and full-sized spare tire so you don't have to wrestle the tire out of the continental kit (there is one in there, however). The VIN starts with a 'U' which means a 272 cubic inch V8 under the hood. It was rebuilt to stock specs and topped by a 2-barrel carburetor, which is correct for a U-code engine. Nicely detailed in Ford Red paint, an oil bath air cleaner, and correct center-bolt valve covers, they didn't take any liberties with the restoration. I always like to see the little stuff done properly, including the hoses and hose clamps, windshield washer solvent bag, and proper markings throughout. You'll note this car includes both power steering and power brakes, so it's effortless to drive, and the well-tuned V8 starts easily, idles well, and pulls the ragtop around without much effort. Someone spent the money to get this one right rather than just treating it like a trailer queen. Experts will quickly spot the 12-volt battery, and the car has indeed been converted to 12-volt operation, but aside from the battery, the conversion is all but invisible, as it runs a correct generator and not a modern alternator. And it's always nice when they make the gauges, lights, clock, and radio work correctly with such an upgrade, another sign that this was not an inexpensive restoration. The undercarriage is tidy with minor signs of use but no structural issues or rust—this is not a rust belt car, obviously. The Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission shifts crisply and there are 3.00 gears in back, making it a fine cruiser in today's traffic. Remarkably, the power steering system is not terrible about leaking and a correct dual exhaust system was added to give it a great soundtrack and a few more horsepower. You will note the floors are in excellent condition with only two small patches about the size of your hand in the rear footwell, which is common because water pools under the carpets if the top is accidentally left down in the rain. The suspension rides surprisingly smoothly and the power drum brakes are competent. There's a new gas tank hanging out back, fresh shock absorbers all around, and attractive G78-15 whitewall tires on steel wheels with factory wire hubcaps. This is arguably the most attractive of all the '50s Fords, and it offers great road manners, a fantastic restoration, and those high-impact colors make it stand out in a crowd. These remain desirable convertibles and you'll find similar cars in many of the biggest collections in the country—these are truly special automobiles. If you're looking for one of the best, one that's properly sorted and drives as great as it looks, then look no further, this is a winner. Call today!