1955 Ford Fairlane

Dave, by 1969 there were only two 1950's cars in the "burg" where we grew up. My Grandmother's 1956 Mercury and a local banker's 56 Buick. Howard kept driving the Buick so if someone came in the bank for a car loan he could tell them they didn't need a car loan. "Why do you need a new car? I'm still driving a 56 Buick". One day when I was out scrounging parts for my 54 Mercury I met a cowboy looking guy from out west with a very stock looking nice 56 Customline 2dr sedan. I asked him what engine, 292 or 312? He opens the hood and there was a 427 Ford! What a sleeper! Most of the 50's cars were off the road by the mid 60's due to rust in this area.
 
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I decided I needed a 1955 Fairlane bank to save money after buying the real 55 Ford. Two things that seem to interest people when the car is out are it has a Fulton traffic light finder and curb feelers on the passenger side. Kind of a generational thing if they know what they are.
 
Gene F said:
Will that bank hold enough coin to pay for parts these days? LOL
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When I was a kid, I loved 1/24th scale plastic model cars. I built an AMT '55 Ford Crown Victoria, a Revell 1940 Ford pickup truck, an AMT '49 Merc 2-dr sedan and a Revell '48 Ford convertible.
I sat them all on top of my bedroom dresser and used them as piggy banks. When they overflowed, I started using shoeboxes and stored them on the bedroom closet floor. By the time I turned 16, I emptied all the piggy banks and shoeboxes and counted the money.
I had nearly $500.00. I had to save one more month to earn another $50 to buy my first car, a 1955 Ford sedan (my avatar).
But no, I don't think you could save enough money in piggy banks through childhood nowadays to pay cash for a 17 year old used car.
 
Ole Don said:
Use your first winter to put on the power steering. Each piece can be rebuilt for a fair cost at Lares Steering in Cambridge Minnesota. They can be thrusted. The car takes on a whole new enjoyment with P/S and the auto trans. Your bride will drive the wheels off it.
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Ford Granada power steering along with Granada power disc brakes are a relatively easy swap into a 55-56 Ford.

Years ago, I got a 1978 Granada and swapped out brakes, steering, rear end and adapted the C-4 transmission to a '57 312" into my '55 Ranchwagon.

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1942deluxe said:
I asked him what engine, 292 or 312? He opens the hood and there was a 427 Ford!
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They can also be fairly easily outfitted with a 332, 352 or 390 with no major modifications and using original motor mounts. And, you don't have to break your back to get to the distributor on those. Do know what modifications if any were required for transmissions though.
 
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If you look carefully you can see my Grandparents 56 Mercury Medalist in the background. This is the car that brought me home from the hospital when I was born. They bought it as a carryover after the 57's came out. No radio or clock.
 
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On Cathy's 55 Fairlane 3 of the front seat buttons were missing. I found some on Ebay but boy they weren't cheap. The tan ones are available if someone needs them. The packages had dates on them from 1955.
 
Folks,
I got over to John's place to help him just a little with a stuck screw. While there I took some pictures of his very nice 55!
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Regards,
Chris and Cheryl
 
We brought the 1955 Ford Fairlane home a year ago today. Had become a little discouraged with it this spring as it was leaking oil very heavily. This week I took it to Chris's (Sugarmaker) to put it up on the hoist. I could see it was leaking in the area of the road draft tube. previously I had changed the breather/oil fill cap out and the filter(screen) on the road draft tube thinking the problem was it couldn't ventilate. I was anticipating main seals leaking and the like. The previous owner had cardboard under it and it was saturated with oil. Same for me. What we found was oil was leaking from the canister above the road draft tube. The top of it was distorted where the bolt goes thru not allowing it to pull down enough to seal and it was pouring thru there. Chris was able to straighten it for me enough it would seal. I have a NOS one coming (B4A-6869-A) I found on Ebay. No other excessive leaks found and the way the engine is detailed and runs I suspect it has been rebuilt. Very possibly the transmission too. The car has had the front crossmember replaced at some point and I think that's a plus. Floors looked very good. The radio works well.My confidence in the car is very much restored.
 
Folks,
Some shots of John and Cathy's very nice 55!
Car show on the banks of Lake Erie in North East Ohio:
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Looking for that oil leak:
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We had it up and down a few times in search of the oil leak problem.
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Regards,
Chris and Cheryl
 
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NOS canister arrived today (B4A-6869-A). I'm amazed and happy about what can still be found.
 

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Got a call the gentleman we bought the 55 from has passed away. In the photo Ed is standing with me when we went to look at the car in Buffalo NY. After we bought the car, he kept sending us items related to the car. There was a AACA newsletter from 1984 with an article on it when it was owned by the fellow that had it before Ed. We know where it has been the last 42 years. Ed could've got a couple thousand more out of the car if he had advertised it. I think he knew it was going to a home where it would be treasured and that was enough. He was a retired engineer and restored jukeboxes. He had a few left, but I didn't ask as I already go down a number of rabbit holes I shouldn't. This hobby has always been about the people. Godspeed,Ed.
 
You got gem! Yeah, leave the continental kit. You got your Town Sedan a few years when I acquired mine('82). Yours was in much better shape than mine. Still have mine. It's been a ongoing project since then. Enjoy .
 
I love the red plastic on the rear antennas too. Kind of art deco. Have a friend with a 55 glass top that's close to being finished. He's going with a rear antenna.
 
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