Attractive and unusual Victoria in great condition. One older repaint in original colors. Factory interior. Freshly rebuilt 312 cubic inch “Thunderbird Special” V8. Power steering and automatic transmission. Ford’s best design of the ‘50s ready to cruise!

With the Thunderbird drawing people into the showroom, Ford didn’t disappoint with their more family-oriented vehicles like this 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria. “Victoria” was Ford’s name for their 2-door coupe, and it stands apart from the Crown Victoria because it’s a real hardtop without a B-pillar, making for a much sleeker design. You’re likely to see five or six Crown Victorias for every Victoria you see at shows, so this car will stand out just about anywhere you go. It was repainted perhaps 20 years ago in its original code LE Peacock Blue over Colonial White color combination, which is the ideal choice for a ‘50s cruiser. We should note that turquoise/aqua colors like Peacock Blue are difficult for digital cameras to render, so we’ve adjusted it to look as accurate as possible although variations in monitor settings can have an effect. But the important thing is that it looks correct and accurate in person, with a nice shine and good panel fit that only comes from good base stock. There’s no evidence that this car was ever rusty or wrecked and the panels line up quite nicely—important with that streak of chrome that is the Victoria’s defining feature. And speaking of chrome, the shiny stuff on this Ford is in great shape, from the grille and bumper up front to the halo of stainless steel around the windows, to the jet-inspired taillight surrounds. The exhaust exits through the bumper as the designers intended, and the continental kit is the perfect ‘50s finish.

We believe the majority of the two-tone turquoise and white vinyl interior is original and it’s holding up quite well for something approaching its 70th birthday. There’s a little discoloration to the white vinyl on the door panel where someone’s elbow might sit on the armrest and some minor wear on the seat covers, but there’s nothing here that needs to be replaced. In fact, the originality is a big part of this car’s appeal. It has obviously been loved. The original gauges are all operational except the clock and like most Fords of the period, it has to be in Neutral to start (why Ford engineers thought this was a better idea, I can’t imagine). Heavy-duty floor mats protect what look like original carpets, but they may just be older replacements, hard to say. There’s also a nice headliner overhead with no sags or major discoloration. Swing the spare out of the way and there’s a good-sized trunk with a correct mat and a full-sized spare tire assembly so you don’t have to wrestle with the continental kit, a thoughtful touch.

The 312 cubic inch V8 was borrowed from the Thunderbird, and it is proudly advertised on the beautiful finned valve covers. This is a real P-code car, meaning the 312 was original equipment, and it has been recently rebuilt to stock specs. It wears a coat of Ford Red engine enamel, a correct air cleaner up top, and inhales through a freshly rebuilt 4-barrel carburetor. Up front there’s a big aluminum radiator with an electric pusher fan that should eliminate any overheating issues, and factory power steering makes this car easy for just about anyone to handle. It has also been upgraded to an alternator to provide the power the fan may need in traffic. Factory exhaust manifolds feed a dual exhaust system with “Smitty” mufflers that give it a purring V8 soundtrack that’s exactly right for the 1950s. The Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission shifts cleanly and feeds 3.22 gears in the rear end, making this a car that’s at home in town or on the highway. The undercarriage has never been restored, so it’s not all shiny and fresh, but it is quite solid with no signs of rot in any of the critical areas—even the rockers and spare tire well are in good shape. Recent work includes brakes with new lines and hoses, new shocks, new seals in the rear end, and a fresh gas tank hanging out back. It also sits on a set of 215/75/15 wide whitewall radials that have a lot of life left in them and give the car exactly the right look.

Extras include a set of color-matched fender skirts, mirrors, and the original 12V generator.

Nicely preserved, tastefully modified, and a pleasure to drive, this handsome Ford Victoria is one of those cars that’s just easy to live with. These cars remain eminently popular, both on the market and at shows, and the attractive hardtop styling will always be a favorite. If you’re a fan of driving, this lovely Ford is an excellent choice simply because it’s good at just about everything. Give us a call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.