1955 Ford

Ford Mainline Ford Customline Ford Fairlane (Americas) Ford Fairlane Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner Ford Crown Victoria Ford Ranch Wagon Ford Country Sedan Ford Country Squire Ford Parklane Ford Courier April 2026 April 2026 1955 Ford 1955 Ford Crown Victoria 2.jpg 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Ford 1954–1956 1955–1956 1952 Ford 1957 Ford FR layout Main plant Dearborn, MI (⇗) Branch Assembly Twin Cities, MN (⇗) Somerville, MA (⇗) Richmond, CA (⇗) Norfolk, VA (⇗) Memphis, TN (⇗) Louisville, KY (⇗) Long Beach, CA (⇗) Kansas City, MO (⇗) Edgewater, NJ (⇗) Mahwah, NJ (⇗) Dallas, TX (⇗) Chicago, IL (⇗) Chester, PA (⇗) Buffalo, NY (⇗) Atlanta, GA (⇗) Worldwide Broadmeadows, VIC, Australia (⇗) (Oceania only) 2-door sedan (Tudor, Club Sedan)2-door business sedan (Tudor)4-door sedan (Fordor, Town Sedan)2-door hardtop (Victoria)2-door hardtop with chrome pillar (Crown Victoria)2-door hardtop with chrome pillar & glass roof (Crown Victoria Skyliner)4-door hardtop (Fordor Victoria) 2-door convertible (Sunliner) 2-door station wagon(Ranch Wagon, Parklane) 4-door station wagon(Country Sedan, Country Squire) 2-door sedan delivery (Courier) 2-door coupe utility (Australia) Full-size Ford 198.5 in mm 0 on 75.9 in mm 0 on 115.5 in mm 0 on 3080-3527 lb kg 0 on 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV I6272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block V8292 CID (4.8 L) T-bird V8312 CID (5.1 L) T-bird V8 (1956) * 3-speed manual 3-speed manual plus overdrive Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic The 1955 Ford is an automobile which was produced by Ford in the United States for the 1955 model year and, in revised form, for the 1956 model year. A new design would be offered in 1957. 1955 The American Ford line of cars gained a new body for 1955 to keep up with surging Chevrolet and Plymouth, although it remained similar to the 1952 Ford underneath. The Mileage Maker I6 was bumped up to 223 CID (3.7 L) for 120 hp (89 kW) and the new-for-1954 Y-block V8 was now offered in two sizes: Standard Fords used a 272 CID (4.5 L) version with 162 hp (121 kW) with 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust or 182 hp with 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, but the large 292 CID (4.8 L) unit from the Thunderbird was also offered, boasting 193 hp (144 kW). Apart from the engine changes, customers were sure to notice the new Fairlane, which replaced the Crestline as the top trim level, while a new Crown Victoria-style featured a chrome "basket handle" across the familiar (and continued) "Victoria" hardtop roof, which originally appeared on the Mercury XM-800 concept car. This use of a styling feature to visually separate the front of the passenger compartment from the rear reappeared on the 1977-1979 Ford Thunderbird, the Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the Ford Fairmont Futura and Mercury Zephyr Z-7 coupes. The company now marketed three different rooflines on its two-door models; the tall two-pillar Mainline, Customline, and Fairlane sedans, pillarless hardtop Fairlane Victoria and the chrome-pillar Fairlane Crown Victoria. The Fairlane Crown Victoria was also offered with a transparent "skylighted" top.1955 Ford brochure, page 4, www.oldcarbrochures.com Retrieved 24 April 2015 New brakes were used 11 in mm on drums.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1955_Ford/1955_Ford_Foldout/1955%20Ford%20Foldout-05.html Directory Index: Ford/1955_Ford/1955_Ford_Foldout Oldcarbrochures.com 2012-05-31 Also, Fords had a new frame, but still with five cross members. The Fords introduced for 1955 also featured the panoramic windshields found on Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs the previous year. With this panoramic windshield the A-pillars had a vertical angle that gave the driver a more panoramic visibility. For the first time, Ford offered seat belts as a dealer option (not factory installed, with instructions provided by a Service Bulletin).1955-1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Retrieved from auto.howstuffworks.com Also new for 1955 was Ford's first factory installed air conditioner. This “Select Aire” option featured an integrated heater core and evaporator coil unit within the dash and cold air discharge vents located on top of the dashFebruary 2026 on either side of the radio speaker. The "Select Aire" design was carried over to the 1956 modelsFord’s new Select Aire Conditioner –1956 Ford Fairlane sales brochure, page 17 Retrieved from storm.oldcarmanualproject.com on 16 February 2010 with slightly different cold air vents in the same location as on the 1955 models. The condenser was mounted in front of the radiator as in later cars. The 1955 Fords were marketed under separate names for each of the three trim levels: Ford Mainline, Ford Customline and Ford Fairlane. Station wagons were offered as a separate series for the first time for 1955.John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975, revised 4th edition.Krause Publications, Iola, WI, 2002p 395 The Ranch Wagon and Custom Ranch Wagon were 2 door wagons while the Country Sedan and Country Squire models were 4 door wagons, the latter featuring wooden appliqué side mouldings.pp 394–395 A sedan delivery variant was marketed as the Ford Courier. Engines engine displacement, type, carburetor typemax. power at rpm compression ratioAvailable transmissions223 cuin L 1 on Mileage Maker I6 1-barrel120 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4,000 7.5 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"272 cuin L 1 on Y-block V8 2-barrel162 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4,400 7.6 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"292 cuin L 1 on Y-block V8 4-barrel Interceptor (Police)188 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4,400 7.6 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic" https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/55p/55p.html 1955 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicles, p8 lov2xlr8.no July 28, 2022 http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Ford/1955_Ford/1955-Ford-Full-Line-Prestige-Brochure/index.html 1955 Ford Full line Brochure, p23 oldcarborchures.org July 28, 2022 1956 The eggcrate grille featured on the 1955 cars was widened into a series of rectangles for 1956, but this subtle exterior change was nothing compared to Ford's adoption of a 12-volt electrical system, with a six volt system optional. The Crown Victoria Skyliner's sales were plummeting with just 603 made, and it would be replaced by a convertible the next year. A new addition at midyear was the "Town Victoria" 4-door hardtop model which, along with the new Customline Victoria 2-door hardtop, were meant to compete with the Chevrolet Bel Air and Plymouth Belvedere. The Parklane, a Fairlane trimmed Tudor station wagon, was added to compete with the Chevrolet Nomad. There were new convenience options, such as a new air-conditioner system, a new heater, and a nine-tube signal-seeking radio.http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/NA/Ford/1956-Ford/1956-Ford-Folder/1956-Ford-Foldout-03 1956 Ford Foldout-03 2015-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20150227222526/http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/NA/Ford/1956-Ford/1956-Ford-Folder/1956-Ford-Foldout-03 2015-02-27 dead Instead of gauges, instrument cluster warning lights for oil pressure and ammeter were standard.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Owners_Manual/1956%20Ford%20Owners%20Manual-10.html Directory Index: Ford/1956 Ford/1956_Ford_Owners_Manual Oldcarbrochures.com 2012-05-31 Victoria hardtop coupes now adopted the lower, sleeker roofline used by both 1955 and 1956 Crown Victoria, sans the wide chrome roof trim. The Lifeguard safety package — consisting of seat belts, a padded dashboard, safety door locks, a deep-dish steering wheel, and a breakaway rearview mirror — was introduced.Flory Jr. J. "Kelly" American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year 2008 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 978-0-7864-3229-5http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1956%20Ford%20Fairlane-06.html Directory Index: Ford/1956 Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure Oldcarbrochures.com 2012-05-31 The option was a slow-seller. The optional air conditioner, which remained expensive and thus a slow seller, was totally revamped; the compressor was now housed beneath the hoodDusan Ristic-Petrovic http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956%20Ford%20Brochure/image14.html 1956 Ford Brochure Oldcarbrochures.com 2022-08-18 and the cooling vents were moved to atop the dashboard (it could not be ordered on the Thunderbird). Engines engine displacement, type, carburetor typemax. power at rpm max. torque at rpmcompression ratioAvailable transmissions223 cuin L 1 on Mileage Maker I6 1-barrel (all models)137 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4200 202 lbft Nm 0 on @ 1600-2600 8.0 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"272 cuin L 1 on Y-block V8 2-barrel (Mainline and Customline)173 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4400 260 lbft Nm 0 on @ 2400 8.0 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive272 cuin L 1 on Y-block V8 2-barrel (Mainline and Customline)176 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4400 264 lbft Nm 0 on @ 2400 8.4 to 1 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"292 cuin L 1 on Thunderbird V8 4-barrel (Fairlane and Station Wagons) (Mainline and Customline, since mid-year )200 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4600 285 lbft Nm 0 on @ 2600 8.0 to 1 3-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive292 cuin L 1 on Thunderbird V8 4-barrel (Fairlane and Station Wagons) (Mainline and Customline, since mid-year )202 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4600 289 lbft Nm 0 on @ 26008.4 to 1 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"312 cuin L 1 on Interceptor V8 4-barrel (police only)210 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4600 312 lbft Nm 0 on @ 26008.0 to 13-speed manual (column-shift) 3-speed manual (column-shift) plus overdrive312 cuin L 1 on Interceptor V8 4-barrel (police only)215 bhp kW PS 0 on @ 4600 317 lbft Nm 0 on @ 26008.4 to 1 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"312 cuin L 1 on Thunderbird Special V8 4-barrel (Fairlane and Station Wagons, since mid-year )225 bhp kW PS 0 on 9.0 to 1 3-speed automatic (column-shift) "Fordomatic"1955 Ford Brochure (original 8-55) http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956-Ford-Brochure/index.html 2022-07-28 oldcarbrochures.org 1955 Ford brochure (Revised 1-56), p15 http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956%20Ford%20Brochure/index1.html July 28, 2022 oldcarbrochures.comHot Cars https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/56fr4/56fr4.html 2022-07-28 www.lov2xlr8.noDirectory Index: Ford/1956 Ford/1956_Ford_Wagons_Brochure http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Wagons_Brochure/dirindex.html 2022-07-28 www.oldcarbrochures.comDirectory Index: Ford/1956 Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1956%20Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1956%20Ford%20Fairlane-10.html 2022-07-28 www.oldcarbrochures.comHot Cars https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/56fp/56fp.html 2022-07-28 www.lov2xlr8.no Australian production The 1955 Ford was also produced by Ford Australia which offered it as a V8 Customline 4-door sedan and as a V8 Mainline 2-door coupe utility.Norm Darwin, The History of Ford in Australia, Eddie Ford Publications, Newstead Vic 1986pp 131–132 The latter body style was developed in Australia utilising an imported convertible chassis strengthened for load carrying.p 136 A limited number of Customline wagons was also built.p 137 The 1955 model was the first Australian Ford to receive the new overhead-valve "Y-block" V8 engine, and went on sale at the end of July 1955.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103937044 Many changes in 1955 Ford Western Herald Bourke, NSW 29 July 1955 13 January 2015 14 Australian Customlines and Mainlines received the 1956 US Ford facelift and then further makeovers in 1957 and 1958 with the final series utilizing the grille from 1955 Meteor of Canada.pp 131–132 The 1957s, introduced in September 1957, were also available with the Fordomatic automatic transmission, and local parts content had been increased to 80 percent. Ford will be 85% Australian http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132135512?searchTerm=ford%201957&searchLimits= The Cumberland Argus Cumberland Newspapers, Ltd. 11 September 1957 27 December 2015 Parramatta, NSW 16 3899 By 1958 the Customline was being marketed as the Ford V8 Fordomatic when supplied with automatic transmission.Ford Customline, www.redbook.com.au Retrieved on 26 October 2012Ford Motor Company of Australia advertisement for the 1958 Ford V8 Customline and Ford V8 Fordomatic, www.flickr.com Retrieved on 26 October 2012 1958 was also when the larger, 292 CID L on V8 engine was introduced. http://www.y-blocksforever.com/tech/html/aussie_y_s.html Y blocks in Australia Y-blocks forever Lon Argent 2015-01-17 Australian production ended the following year with the introduction of the 1959 US Ford which was locally produced in Custom 300, Fairlane 500 and Ranch Wagon models.The Australian 1959-60 Ford Fairlane, Restored Cars No 84, July 1990, page 5 200 130 File:1955 Ford Customline V8 Sedan (Oz) (8437648522).jpg 1955 Ford V8 Customline File:1956 Ford Customline (Australia).jpg 1956 Ford V8 Customline Sedan File:1956 Ford Mainline Utility V8 (Australia).jpg 1956 Ford V8 Mainline Utility File:1957 Ford Customline Sedan (Australia).jpg 1957 Ford V8 Customline Sedan File:1957 Mainline V8 ute (Australia).jpg 1957 Ford V8 Mainline Utility File:1958 Ford V8 Fordomatic.JPG 1958 Ford V8 Fordomatic Sedan File:Ford Mainline Utility.jpg 1958 Ford V8 Mainline Utility References Further reading 100 Years of Ford David L. Lewis 0-7853-7988-6 Publications International 2005 164–173 External links http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=93327 Generations: Ford Model T to Crown Victoria Edmunds.com August 21, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060905193428/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId%3D93327 5 September 2006 live http://1955-ford.com 1955 Ford & Meteor Brochures Facts Stats Archives 1955-ford.com March 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20231206235813/https://1955-ford.com/ 6 December 2023 usurped http://1956-ford.com 1956 Ford & Meteor Brochures Facts Stats Archives 1956-ford.com March 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20231203234637/https://1956-ford.com/ 3 December 2023 live 1955 Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States