1955 Ford Crown Victoria

This 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria in Torch Red and Snowshoe White is a classic fifties color combination that has always been popular. This particular car was owned by a collector for the past 45 years.

Ford totally redesigned their cars for ’55 and they were really starting to show the beautiful styling that the late fifties was famous for. This completely new styling offered much sharper lines and sharper angles producing a fresh look from their previous cars. New two-tone color schemes had now been introduced using the new side trim lines to split the colors rather than just at the base of the roof line.

rear view of a 55 Ford Crown Victoria in Torch Red and Snowshoe White
rear view

The Crown Victoria was part of the top-of-the-line Fairlane lineup. Unique to the Crown Victoria is the non-structural chrome band (tiara) that runs from the B-pillars and across the roof. This chrome band was also repeated inside the car, sweeping down the pillars, across the side panels and right across the top of the back seat.

the interior matches the exterior perfectly

The Fairlane has a distinctive V-shaped side trim that ran the length of the car and is used to divide the two-tone color schemes.

side view of a 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria showing the chrome band
side view

The speedometer with transparent hood for daylight illumination was a carry over from 1954 but the rest of the dash was new. Ford described it as the New Astra-Dial Control Panel and boasted the speedometer was high up on the control panel in the drivers line of sight. The new full-circle radio dial matched perfectly with the circular heater control and clock.

Dash showing Ford’s Astra-dial

Wraparound windshields were new for ’55 too.

Fairlanes also came equipped with two sun visors, half-circle horn ring, twin horns, arm rests, cigarette lighter, stem-wind clock, bright moldings around the windshield and back window, chrome eyebrows above the headlights and Fairlane nameplate and crest on the hood and desk lid. The side of the car also featured a crest and a body style nameplate.

Also new for 1955 was the Y-block 272 cubic inch (4.5 liter) V8. It was based on the previous design but another 33 cubic inches was added and produced 162 horsepower.

1955 Ford 272 cubic inch Trigger Torque V8 engine
272 cubic inch Trigger Torque V8

It has a 115.5″ wheelbase and the overall length is 198.5″ excluding the continental kit which is an aftermarket item.

Some Available Ford Options in 1955

Option Price
Power windows $102
Power seat $64
Master-Guide power steering $91
Swift Sure power brakes $32
Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission $178
272 CID Trigger Torque V8 $100
Windshield washers $10
AM Radio $99
Electric clock $15

There were 33,165 Crown Victoria cars (plus 1,999 plexiglass Skyliners) produced by Ford for 1955 with a base price of $2,202.

This car was originally assembled in the Atlanta, GA assembly plant. Options installed with the car included the 272 V8 engine, Ford-O-Matic Drive automatic transmission, AM radio and power steering.

This ’55 Crown Victoria is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for more photos)

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