1956 Ford Fairlane

Victoria Other

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

Clear

Gasoline

RELISTING INFO: I had multiple bidders top out at $16,500 on the first listing. I've added a buy it now price this time around for approximately $500 under my previous reserve. I've also added some info to the descriptions below based primarily on the phone call and email questions I received during the previous listing. OVERVIEW: This mostly original Mandarin Orange and Colonial White ’56 Vicky is in great condition considering its age. While there are imperfections in all areas, it’s a fun car to drive and gets plenty of attention. I will do my best to describe the car in detail based on my love for old Fords and many years of experience in the collision repair industry. Please don’t hesitate to contact me by email or phone (816.792.8970) during this listing if you have any questions. The car is currently showing less than 71,000 miles, which is believed to be correct, but is not confirmed. HISTORY: This is what I know about this car, or have been told about this car by the previous owner. It was built in the San Jose plant, and was purchased by the previous owner in California in approximately 1972. The previous owner brought the car to the Kansas City area in approximately 1989, and it has obviously been garaged and stored out of the elements. I bought the car in 2010. BODY & PAINT: The terms “unmolested” and "survivor" are overused in my opinion, but they both fit this car well. The body is very nice in my opinion, and the car can be enjoyed as-is, or it would be one of the easiest restoration candidates you’re likely to find if you want to take it to concours level. The exterior paint appears to be original from the side moldings up, with the exception of the right fender, which has been replaced with a used fender somewhere along the line. The fender is serviceable, but it needs some work, primarily where it has had a rust patch on the lower rear section. I believe it must have been replaced for a minor fender bender as the hood, door and cowl area appear to have been basically unaffected. There is evidence of some filler work in some areas of the lower panels below the moldings, but it appears to have been done a very long time ago and I haven’t noticed any bubbles other than the poor patchwork on the right fender that I mentioned. Keep in mind, it's not the original fender and its condition is not indicative of the rest of the body panels which appear to be original. The floors are great from what I have seen. I have pulled the rocker panel sill plates and everything looks good from what I could see. I rolled back the carpet, and the tarpaper is still on the floors and the jute padding doesn’t appear to have ever been wet. I did not pull the front seat out… but the floors look good from underneath the car. The photos of the trunk floor should be impressive… no spatter paint or anything else covering up the factory paint and trunk mat glue. The paint in the jambs I believe is also original, except for the overspray that worked its way in when the lower section of the car was repainted. Somebody has done some spray can work in the engine compartment. Some of the paint chips on the hood and other areas of the car have been brush touched. There are some superficial dings and dents here and there. The underside of the car has heavy undercoating that looks like it’s been there forever, and apparently did its job well in terms of preservation. I didn’t notice any issues with the front frame crossmember, which typically rusts out badly on '55 and '56 Fords (see pics). CHROME & TRIM: The bumpers need plating if you want to take the car beyond driver level. I’d probably also replate the grille, park light housings etc. The grille is straight, but the front bumper needs some minor straightening, especially behind the left bumper guard. The rear bumper has a slight bend on the upper flange that should be visible in the pictures. Pitting is minimal for the car’s age. The stainless is very nice to excellent in my opinion. The outside mirror has been changed to a reproduction original type mirror since these pictures were taken. GLASS: All side windows still have the FOMOCO logos and are free of cracks, but they do show some age and scratches. The windshield appears to be original and looks very good for its age (expect some pitting, but I wouldn’t replace it). The back glass is about as perfect as you will find. The rubber windshield and back glass seals are exceptionally nice. All four side windows roll up and down just fine. INTERIOR: Very nice original headliner, but the padded sunvisors are warped (typical problem, but available in the aftermarket). The car originally had a padded dash that has been removed, and the paintwork on the upper dash looks pretty good. The rest of the paint on the dash appears to be original. The white section in the center of the dash has been brush-touched somewhere along the line. As you can see, the seats and trim panels have the old plastic covers that have helped preserve the upholstery nicely. However, the padding on the driver’s seat bottom cushion has given out, so there are splits along the seams. I’d like to say they can be re-stitched, but I don’t know that to be the case for sure, so you may want to figure on replacing the upholstery on that part of the seat. I’ve been tempted to pull the plastic covers off, but they get so much attention at car shows that I’ve left them alone. The original package shelf looks almost new. The carpeting does not appear to be original. I’d be inclined to replace the carpeting, kick panels, rocker panel sill plates and the windlace on the pillars. All of this stuff is readily available. GENERAL MECHANICAL STUFF: The car runs strong and is a pleasure to drive. It does not have power steering or brakes, but my wife generally drives this car to the car shows that we attend (I drive our ’57 Ford), and she has no trouble handling it. According to the previous owner, the transmission, carburetor and brakes have been rebuilt, and it does have an electronic distributor. It also has a new gas tank. Electrical appears to be good. All gauges work, as do the radio and heater, but the clock only keeps accurate time twice a day. The back up lights do not come on either… not sure if it’s just the bulbs or the switch. The car has a correct size sealed Interstate battery with new cables. The ignition switch is finicky. Tires are good (2 of them are brand new). ENGINE & EXHAUST: As of this writing, the car is showing 70,723 miles, which is believed to be correct, but is not confirmed. I have a receipt from the previous owner for an engine rebuild in April of 1989. In May of 1989, he recorded the odometer reading as 67,690 on the back of the engine receipt. The 292 runs strong, and I have never seen any smoke from the exhaust, and I have been behind the car a bunch when my wife is driving it to car shows and cruise-ins. I have had no overheating issues with the car in any weather, or at any speed. It does drip oil though, and it leaks some when it’s first started after it’s been sitting for a while. I suspect the oil pump may be the culprit, or possibly just the pickup tube seal (both are externally mounted on these old Y-Blocks, so it might be a very easy fix). The canister oil filter has been upgraded to a modern spin-on type. There is a slight exhaust leak, and the dual glasspacks are louder than I like (I have Smittys on my ’57 Fairlane which is also a 292 and I prefer that sound), but it sounds nice at highway speeds. The original exhaust extensions for the rear bumper outlets are shot, but are available in reproduction. The chrome extensions that appear in some of the pictures have been removed, and the tailpipes now end just under and slightly behind the rear bumper. SUMMARY: Considering the inherent traits of 1956 automotive technology, the car goes down the highway straight, the steering wheel is nicely centered, it brakes nicely and the interior has a nice old car smell. I haven't noticed any signs of rodent inhabitation inside the car. I’m sure a common question will be whether or not the car can be driven across the country after the sale. I can make no guarantees, but I have had no problems with the car on the highway. SHIPPING AND PAYMENT AND STUFF: I reserve the right to end this auction at any time, for any reason. There are no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied, and the car will be sold as-is, where-is. The description of the vehicle contained in this listing is based on what is believed to be correct by the seller, but should be confirmed by the buyer prior to the close of this auction. Shipping and any other transportation expenses are the responsibility of the buyer. Pick up by the buyer at the seller’s residence is preferred. The car and title will not be released until the funds clear. Please be advised that I sometimes travel on my job, so please contact me regarding a pick up date before the auction ends and I'll try to accommodate your needs the best that I can. Thanks for your interest in this car. No overseas buyers please. On Mar-12-11 at 08:46:49 PST, seller added the following information: In response to the calls and emails I'm getting, the body mounts, braces, inner rocker panels and inner quarter panels and quarter panel extensions etc. look good from what I can see. The old undercoating is heavy and appears to have done a fine job in preserving the underside of the car all these years. The car sits nice and level from side to side. This is just a nice old unrestored Vicky that can be enjoyed as-is, or taken to concours level if that's what you choose to do with it. As a reminder, this is only a 3 day listing. If it doesn't sell this time around, I'll likely hang on to it.