The Ford Fairlane appeared in 1955 as a replacement for the Crestline Series and sat at the top of the Ford lineup. The name came from Henry Ford’s estate “Fair Lane” in Dearborn, Michigan.
Following a major restyle for 1955, the 1956 Fords continued to use the same bodies albeit with a new grille, parking lights and side trim. What they were really pushing was their new Lifeguard Design which offered optional padded dashboard and padded sun visors, a deep dish steering wheel designed to protect the driver in the event of a crash. It was also the first year that seat belts were offered.
The Fairlane Series consisted of seven models including this ‘Spring Mist Green and Colonial White’ Club Sedan.
Inside, Ford were proud of their luxury interiors describing them as a “living room” on wheels with rich grained vinyl and smart patterned nylons.
They also featured color-keyed carpeting, harmonizing-color steering wheel and ultra-modern quilted-vinyl door panels.
The standard engine for the Fairlane was a 223 cubic inch, six cylinder “Mileage Maker”. Paying an additional $100 on the purchase price you got a V8 Thunderbird branded, 292 cubic inch power plant with a 4-barrel carburetor and a total output of 200 horsepower. Or 202 horsepower if you opted for the $178 Ford-O-Matic Drive automatic transmission.
This car was born with a 292 although it’s since been replaced with a crate 292 V8.
Other options ordered with this car and added when it was assembled in the Chester, PA plant include: MagicAire heater / defroster ($85), Radio ($95) and electric clock ($15).
Had you have ordered a back then it would have cost you $2,047 for the base six cylinder. Ford produced 142,629 of them for the ’56 model year making it the 2rd most popular of the Fairlane Series.
This ’56 Ford is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for even more photos)