1956 Ford Fairlane

1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Named for Henry Ford's Dearborn estate, Ford's premium Fairlane line debuted alongside the original Thunderbird for 1955.  These new top of the line cars helped Ford record its best sales year since 1923.  The big Ford was available in three levels of trim, the base Mainline models, the intermediate level Customline, and the top of the line Fairlane.  All models came with the standard six cylinder and optional V8 power.  Motor Trend named the entire Ford line its Car of the Year for 1956.  Ford manufactured in excess of 1.4 million units for the model year.  Thx to Hagerty and RM Sotheby's  For consignment, a multiple time AACA award winning 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner with a title verified 74,848 actual miles in classic two stage 2 tone goodness, striking red and white with a red and white interior and white soft top.  This quintessential 50's piece of rolling art graces our Hallowed Halls in very good condition and ready to join your collection, even if that's a collection of one.  Exterior It's almost like having two cars in one.  The Fiesta Red paint neatly covers the horizontal surfaces, spilling to the sides and being held by the epic, sweeping side metal trim that sends an ever widening band from the tops of the front fenders, down to the door where it then bounces to trail straight back to the tail.  Subtle fins top a Thunderbird like rear fascia with a bold, chrome bumper and bumperettes.  Thunderbird influences are up front too, where the single head lights begin the reign of Colonial White paint which rings the lights and then covers the side panels below the trim and encircles the back latch panel.  A hood ornament is not just perched on the nose, it's embedded into it, and entering the jet age with a bold futuristic design.  15-inch wheels share the red and white motif with red painted steel, white wall tires, and red crested Ford hubcaps.  The white canvas top and plastic window are in great shape, bearing typical discoloration areas, minor, as is relatively common with white.  Imperfections include some oxidation on the header of the front window trim, bubbling on white paint, cracking paint on both doors in the lower corner, a scratch in the red, and various smaller cracks around the red.  Interior Mixed patterns of red and white vinyl adorn the door panels and represent a piece of the decorative puzzle that continues on the back side walls and red dashboard.  The split bench up front has white inserts on red surrounding coverage, along with glossy red shells below.  Same configuration in the back bench with bows in the middle to make room for the ever important polished trim piece that forms a bold V.  There's patina on the armrests, but the seats are spotless.  The classic dash looks original with a red rimmed steering wheel with metal horn ring and a slim shifter on the right side of the column.  The gauge cluster sits under an arched dash pad, symmetrically perfect and the Ford factory Select Air control panel and AM radio reside in the low dash with textured metal framing.  The soft dash pad is a darker red up top and is loose fitting in some areas.  The loop style carpet below is also a darker red and protected by carpeted mats, all in decent shape.  A plaid mat covers the clean trunk which also houses a spare white wall on white painted steel wheel.   Drivetrain The rebuilt Thunderbird 292ci V8 is under the hood in clean condition.  It's rated at 176 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor, per the consignor.  A rebuilt Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission sets the car in motion and sends power to the Ford 9 in back with 3.22 gears.  Power brakes are on tap and are drums front and rear, rebuilt per our consignor.  Undercarriage Clean, dry, and black as night is how we would describe the undercarriage.  Only the exhaust carries surface rust and there are no errant fluids anywhere.  That exhaust is dual, and we