1956 Ford Customline hardtop

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1956 Ford Customline Victoria. Recent Import
 
I bought a '56 Customline 2-dr hardtop in 1978. When I first saw it, I thought it was a Fairlane because someone had stripped off all the Customline body side trim and put on '56 Victoria trim. Someone had put a Ford 390 in it but it was removed by the time I got it. I took it home, dropped a '55, 272 Y-block/Fordomatic in it, added a '56 Fordomatic steering column/linkage, '56 power steering and Fordomatic brake bracket and pedal. I had to completely strip the exterior paint down to bare metal. A previous owner had painted over the factory red/black with cheap white rattle cans. I redid the interior with beautiful white crushed vinyl with blue accents and painted the exterior with white acrylic enamel. I re-installed the Vicky body side trim. It was a good looking car.
Ford only made the Customline 2-dr hardtop in the '56 model year. In 1986, I saw another one in a Bloomington, illinois auto parts swap meet for sale at one of the booths. Mine and that one are the only ones I have ever seen, other than photos of them.
 
That is attractive side trim on the car, and unique in that you don't see it very often. I won't get into the debate (as in the ancient part of the thread) as to whether it's more attractive than the Fairlane or not. Fairlanes are nice. I will say, though, that the Customline trim looks a good deal better than the '56 Chevy's mid and lower level trim (210 or whatever.)
 
Well (deep subject), I am going to tell you ...

As for early FORD (to me), I had no interest in any other year but 1957. I had a friend that had a 56 PARKLANE (and it was a beautiful tu-tone blue he found) and we were working on it.

I started to look and see how strangely it was assembled in the engine compartment (steady-rest and splash pans - blower motor in the middle of everything - heater control valve spoiling the appearance of the engine) and never fooled with one after that.

But as I look back, it was the most beautiful car I have ever seen (if dressed out properly). And it is one of the few that can wear factory skirts and look as they are part of the car (IMO).

My grandfather ran a mail route (50's) between Roanoke and Lynchburg twice a night and he took me on frequent trips. It was around 0400 I guess one morning and two 56 FORDS passed and blew by us at speed. He mentioned that they were most likely running shine.
 

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My first car @ 16yrs. of age was a 1956 Ford Country Sedan 6 passenger wagon w/very similar trim as shown above. 292, 3spd., & solid as a rock. It cost me all of $175.00!!
F F
 
Notice on this 56 customized FAIRLANE SUNLINER how the TU-TONE HDL DOOR treatment has been modified -

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As compared to the 55/56 FORD FAIRLANE OEM HDL DOOR PAINT SCHEME -

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It's little things like this that can make a car really stand out (IMO), especially a nice street car.
 

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  • 1955 FORD - FAIRLANE TU-TONE HDL DOOR TRIMOUT.jpg
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Why would someone destroy the hood on that car?

RUST MAGGOTS ... ???

I never did understand radical customizing. A lot of cars/good sheet metal has been destroyed (donor and donee).

I go on H.A.M.B. to just catch occasional tech.

- CASE IN POINT -

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

(DO NOT ENTER IF OVERLY SENSITIVE -

If remote whistling and or dueling banjos are heard in the background -

CLICK OUT!)​

- https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/images-of-tri-five-fords.1210072/
 
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:confused:

I Think I May Need An Intervention As This Is Getting To Me ...

- SQUAREBIRD FRONT DRESS -

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Really cleans up the 55/56 grille which I personally always had trouble with.
 

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Why would someone destroy the hood on that car?

Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet ...

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Notice the 1969 TORINO COBRAJET DECAL on the fender? That is worth at least 30HP.

I have come to discover that the louvers (Fr.) are part of an EVAP RETROFIT that allows the heat soak dispersion of the engine after shutdown so as not to allow the fuel in the carb to boil after shutdown.

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  • PAT'S CHEESESTEAKS - S PHILLY.jpg
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