You know Ive been watching your channel for awhile now and thoroughly enjoy each and every one of your videos. Appreciate your thoroughness in going through all the unique features and body lines. Also appreciate the way you treat the cars with the positive respect they deserve no matter the condition. Your video quality and over-all presentation is excellent. Thank you and keep um comin!
Thank you for this great information video. I’m a GM man born in 1954. I would not turn down any of these cars. My wife was born in 1957, her dream car was a 1957. These vehicles were built when people took pride in their work.
Love the all around design of the 55 Ford. The 58, 59 and 61 are also beautiful designs. Also always loved the 55 Plymouth. Enjoying your videos, Thank you for posting!👍🏼🙏🏼
Always enjoy '55 and '56 Fords. I had a grey and colonial white '56 Club Sedan (2-dr) back- in the day with the Fordomatic transmission You are correct about how it operates as a two-speed in Drive! However, it is a three-speed transmission. You must put it in Low for 1st gear. Here's something you may not know. Shift into Low and accelerate, then shift into Drive long enough to shift into 2nd gear, then shift back to Low to HOLD 2nd gear and keep on going - shift back to Drive for 3rd gear. All of this to simulate a stick shift with a Fordomatic. :)
Outside the blue portion originally matched the dash and door trim. That's how Ford did it in those days. The blue is sharp, though. Very nice survivor, refurbished, not restored. Fine, impressive daily driver.
Great analysis as always. Showing all the 55 Ford lines (you forgot farm tractors)....and I lived in this time frame.... I always was amazed by the 55 Chevy (which I owned) how it gained soooo much more popularity than the Ford, which was a very good looking car and even a bit more stylish. Your showing the analysis of the cosmetic changes front and back was very eye-opening. And the memory of the ridiculous exhaust connector, which was designed to burn wrists and forearms...which helped sell Vaseline and gauze. Though I had the Chevy... I'd take the Ford both times.
How could I ford tractors lol =) they made get tractors we have one front loader best thing dad ever bought I use it often. Great insight and selections =)
I love the 55 Ford Victoria. That's the 2 door hardtop, right? Mine in dark blue please Jay..... always dark blue or dark green mate ! Thank you mate 👍 Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
One day would love to compare all three in two door flavor the Plymouth has the most space.. I haven’t been in a 55 four-door Plymouth yet I’ve been in 4 door de Soto 1956 it’s like a limo in the back
Hi Jay!: The 1955 Ford! Another of my favorites! Our family actually had one in the 1960's when I was a LITTLE shaver! Dad let me sit on his lap and help him "steer" the 1955 Ford Station Wagon! (Car seats? we don't need no stinkin' car seats!) It was light yellow and the same off-white two tone that the NICE one you showed had. Somewhere in the family photo pile is a photo of tiny me toddling around the driveway at Uncle Kenny's Service Station, with the '55 in the background. WYR#1 This one is VERY hard for me, actually, as all three of those cars are NICE. Going Ford only because we had one. #2 I'm not gonna' guess! I want ALL of those! They are SO COOL!!
Awesome story I used to do the with chloe still do that in my truck with her new cars don’t make it easy to have that experience.. way to muck regulations IMO.. Great selections =)
I had a '55 Fairlane, 2 door 272ci V8 Y-block 3sp w/overdrive and had dual exhaust (no funky exhaust crossover in front of the engine). Kinda miss it. The combo fuel pump/vacuum pump was a real PITA to source (and the vacuum pump was poor, at best) and the three bladed fan was a guillotine just waiting for a victim (every single one I saw has tossed one of the blades, usually right through the hood). 6V POSITIVE ground...
55 Fairlane 55 Rambler These Fords were somewhat overlooked by the success of the tri-5 Chevys. Which are considered by many to be the epitome of styling for 55,56, and in particular the 1957 Chevy. In reality Ford sold more vehicles than Chevrolet in 57. I've always considered the 55-57 Fords to be some of the best looking automobiles Ford made during the 50s. Also Jay, as you mentioned. I also agree with you that the styling has held up well. At first look there's something about these years of Ford cars that makes them look small but when you are next to one or sitting in one it's actually a big full size car. Having friends who owned these years and having helped them work on them. I can say from first hand experience that burns from the exhaust pipe up high in the front of the engine were real If you weren't careful. What were they thinking?
Maybe I’m biased, for 55 was the year of my birth, I think this was the most attractive version of this Fairlane line made. Great video, appreciate your research and attention to detail, including the original promotional period film.
glad you dig this one =) I’m going to use commercials in all of the videos if I can find commercials pertaining to the very car that is featured that day
I love what Ford did to the 55's from the 54's. My favorite feature is the the one year only radio that matches the rest of the instruments. Unfortunately, Chevy was a little better overall, and the sales proved that. The only that sticks out with the Ford was the 6 volt electrical system. Chevy went to 12 volt in 55.
One of my all-time favorite cars 😊 The rounded styling is now changing toward straighter lines, there's more chrome trim than before, tail-fins aren't too pronounced, and the concave grille emerges which Ford would continue with on some models into the future. The headlights look good and the taillights are great in style and size. Gotta love the 'round' styling of the dashboard modules even down to the radio and heater. The valve cover trim panels look sharp, but the exhaust crossover is universally hated by every mechanic and the Y-blocks generally suck but were better than the flathead. With the 6-cylinder you had a good car here. WYR both go to this car, but I do like the Rambler.
I like the 55' better because of the paint job and color choices. 🐋😊 Riding past Ron's junkyard there were so many of these 55-59 cars, and often just minor problems, but people wanted new cars. Unfortunately most were crushed, but what a treasure was lost, if only someone would have had a crystal ball 🔮
My parents had a '55 Mainline tudor, with a 6 cylinder and a 3 speed. The '55 Fords sold well considering it had a freshened 1952 body, while Chevrolet and Plymouth were all-new that year.
There were several years when about all Ford did was change bumpers, trim, running lights etc. then came the thunderbird. My brother had a metal flake candy apple mercury, 1954?? Perhaps . Hot stuff.
These were nice looking cars and this is my favorite color combination for them. In my opinion it is superior to the forgettable 1954 Ford in every way. This is a nice solid and affordable example. I love that radio! I would rather have the 1955 Bel Air in the first and the 1955 Fairlane in the second.
I was born in 1957, so these cars would have been around when I was growing up. Thanks for reviewing this one. My mother had a white Fairlane (1959 I think), so I am a bit biased towards Fords for this era. Just for that reason, I would choose the Ford over the other cars. However, when I was in grammar school, my dad had a 1956 BelAir that he let me drive sitting in his lap - so I love the Chevrolet a lot as well. Could I please have one of each?! LOL
Story is my first ride home in '59 was in a '49 Rocket 88, but the first car I remember was a 1955 2-dr, in the lovely teal. Mainline, no chrome, but it had the Y-block. A happy car, it smiles!
Only those with the iconic checkmark chrome inspired preservation. Mainline was the cheap one for the most desperate shoppers, usually six-threes, throwaways, and status was everything. Replacements were cheap! Dad got a pair of '59 Mercs in 1967 for @ $100 each!
My father bought an almost exact duplicate of the displayed auto, just did not have the fender skirts. He traded it not long after he experienced a break down on the Indiana Toll Road. I was 5 years old. Car had its engine issues, which is why he traded it. But I remember it as a very nice ride. I still like the styling to this day
No doubt, Ford had an exterior styling win here. However, in 1955, General Motors started painting its cars with a new acrylic paint that required the cars to be baked, and it produced a superior finish. I think it took Ford almost 4 years to catch up.
I've always thought the 1956 Chevy seemed to be awfully Ford looking after the clean yet radical lines of the 55. I think it was GM somewhat going to a bit of a safer place styling wise for 56 before going to that amazing 57 Chevy.
I have actually driven the next model year, a '56 Ford Fairlane. 10:07 When you open the front doors, the protrusions made by the curved windshield into the door spaces were colloquially called "knee knockers," Auto makers abandoned knee knockers about 1960.
Back in the day Ford was known for new improvements in vehicles. The 55 ford had a new design but still,had the 6 volt operating system until the 56 model year .
QUESTION, and I hoped you'd mention it but didn't.. As you look thru windshield from outside, top of speedometer... what's that? maybe a window to help the sun illuminate the speedometer?
The '55 and up Fords were eye catching, but I hated to see how fast the eyebrows of the '57 and '58 models rusted out (MOPAR's too). Loved the '57 T-Bird! My Dad was an Oldsmobile man (always used, as he was a school teacher and didn't have the dough for a fresh one) - Good wheels.
These 55/56 were everywhere. They seemed huge to kids but I saw one at a car show and they seem absolutely tiny! And the sure way to figure out which year is, round stuck-on turnsignal in front vs fit-in-bumper. That's probably the fastest way to find out.
They have a nice manageable size I wouldn’t say that they’re small on the inside. It’s definitely bigger than a two door Ford which that’s kind of a statement but some of the Chrysler cars they’re two-door cars have more space than four-door Fords.
Interesting to notice that the Soviet Volga was inspired by the Ford models in that it also has a plastic transparent dome for the speedometer. Also the general appearance of the Volga is American.
I really enjoyed this video as when I was about 17 my dad had a base model 55 Ford with the 6 cylinder with the 3 speed Manuel. I loved driving that car a lot. When you were shooting out the rear window, there was a cool looking chevy wagon in the room behind the Fairlane. Is there a video on that car, if not I'd love to see you do one.
Radio design always fascinated me. One year only and I don't think I've ever seen another round dial presentation from any other domestic postwar manufacturer. My Dad was a Ford guy and probably just this side of greaser. He had a 56 and 57, and drove others. I know he dropped a transmission at least once. The ad campaign in 56 was $56 for 56. Lee Iacocca's brainchild. 20% down and $56 a month would put you behind the wheel. WYR - nostalgia wins - the Ford both times.
For WYR, I'll go with the Ford Fairlane for both scenarios, although I also like the Chevy BelAir. This looks like a nicely-kept unrestored survivor car. You usually aren't too crazy about the rear seats of mid-fifties Fords, but I guess this one's not bad. It looks good, anyway.
You know, the T-bird wasn't meant to compete with the Corvette. The T-bird was meant to be a personal luxury car. The Corvette was meant to compete with the British sports cars. The tri-five T-birds had a single bench seat whereas the Corvettes had bucket seats. There was room in the T-birds bench seat for 3 people. You could put 3 people in a Corvette, but like in the "Route 66" TV show, someone would have to sit on the console. Wow! All that visible rust would make me run for the hills. If you took off that rocker trim, I'd bet that rust would have perforated the rockers. I can see the rust near the front top edge of the rocker trim. I can see the perforation about the fender skirt. Scary man!
Plymouth Belvedere and any of the last three never owned a Willy's Car .. like to try one out 😉👍 Ive had a 55 Chevy 210 Granny had a 55 Ford Crown Victoria we put a 312 in it 😊 55 was a great year for Cars 👍 Great Episode 👏👏👏 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
I believe the '55 was just a heavily facelifted '54. They even managed to jiggle in that wrap-around windshield. If memory serves, a truly "all new from the ground up" ford came in 1965.
Sixty-five was also a “new from the ground up” year for the full-size Chevrolets, too. They changed over from the X-frame to the perimeter frame, and introduced a sleek new shape that made the Ford look like a shoebox …
Haha nice did she win any races if so what did she beat, a lot of times it has to do with the driver, not the car I’ve beaten people in cars that on paper have no way of beating them. Like Jetta wagon vs Honda van I smoked Trevor’s Jetta and he was speechless lol
I was surprised this was a 6v system. I looked i up and it seems FoMoCo was last to the 12v party. This was a beauty! WYR: 1) I'm really torn... I like the Ford, but the Plymouth is sah-weet too... 2) Ford!
These plenty-classy mid-century works of art became the pride and joy of so many middle--income families when '55 rolled around, as were the contemporary offerings from Plymouth and Chevrolet with their bold styling, which was a far cry from the conservative & downright dour models that came in the three years before them. The new V8's were a big step forward, as were new options available for "the low-priced three." Like the '55 dashboard better. WYR: -1- '55 Belvedere because that was my first car way back at age 20 -2- '55 Bel Air
Not too far from this 1955 Fairlane I noticed a '55 BelAir Nomad with the same 2 tone paint colors as this Fairlane. My picks here would be the '55 Belvedere & the '55 Bermuda. Willys used the Bermuda name for 1955 only, as Aeros were no longer produced. These Willys sedans were no longer sold on the North American after '55 , but were sold on the export market through1962.
Great presentation Jay, as usual. I like the '55 Ford Fairlane a lot, but for WYR I'm afraid I'm going to have to choose the Chevrolet Bel Air and the Nash Rambler Custom sedan. But the Ford Fairlane comes in an easy second in both instances. 😉
Looking at the engine this was in the days when the average guy with a set of socket wrenches, torque wrench, comealong, assorted minor tools like box wrenches screwdrivers, feeler guages etc. could look at the manual and basicly do most of the repairs himself. Might want to send the heads out to do a valve job but that was it. Unfortunately rust was a big issue here in the north. Still as a teen ager you could buy a car on what you made in your summer job. There was not much in the way of safety. That heavy bumper did little to protect the occupants. That steering wheel was especially dangerous. These were the days when drunk driving was all too common. From that era in the ford lineup the fairlane 500 and thunderbirds were my favoriites though i was personally more of a british sports car fan. I guess reliaubility was not an issue then for me.
Ford did a fantastic job with the '55 design IMO, but then so did Chevrolet, so both have always been some of my favorites, the Ford having a more formal look, and Chevy just total style, so I'd be happy with either, but if the Bel-Air was the beauty in the clip, I'd definitely pick it!🤩 In the second, provided i already had one of my first scenario choices, I'd go with the Rambler which I really like alot! Cool video 😎
In 49, the Fords were a completely new designed car from scratch. The 52s were again completely redesigned from scratch. In 55, the car design was new, but every part of the body was tweaked rather than completely redesigned. Thats why the car seems to be the same as the 54, until you start looking at the details. So it is a newly designed car that is similar to the previous generation. In 56 they tweaked the grill and parking lights and some trim. Then starting with the 57 model year the cars were completely redesigned every year into the early seventies. As for the scenarios, I would rather have the Ford in both, but if I could have two cars, I would take the Plymouth also. Interesting thing about the Plymouth when you look closely at it, it is almost too similar to the Ford. It kind of looks like Chrysler might have stolen some of Ford's blueprints an copied the design with a few tweaks.
Family had a 55 Town Sedan that had a dual exhaust 272 2V. 3 speed w/ overdrive. I remember as a 4 year old, blasting across Nevada at 75 mph standing up pouring coffee from thermos into a styro cup on the glove box door. Very smooth ride. You could tweak the voltage regulator up a little and those headlights had range to match anything made today. Penzoil killed more of these engines...
GIVE ME A FORD ANY DAY OVER A GM, GM=GOVERNMENT MONEY! My dad was a tank commander with the 20th Armored Regiment of New Zealand and his steed was a Great Mk 4 Sherman Tank powered by the Great Ford GAA V8 Engine. After the War (WW2) my Dad only owned a Ford from Brand new until he felt like a model up grade! I can only buy a Ford! I was born in 1955 In Oamaru, South Island of New Zealand!
WYR1: Not a fan of the big three '55s. Even in its third year of the body design, the Studebaker looked better, catfish mouth and all. WYR2: I'll take the Willys with the 226 Continental six.
The ‘55 Ford would have been a much more attractive offering if they came equipped with the FE engine. Poor Fords were crippled by that raggedy Y-block until the ‘58 model year. Sad …
MR. Sandman by the chordettes
Awesome congratulations you got it
It's nice getting to see one of these old cars still in good condition.
You know Ive been watching your channel for awhile now and thoroughly enjoy each and every one of your videos. Appreciate your thoroughness in going through all the unique features and body lines. Also appreciate the way you treat the cars with the positive respect they deserve no matter the condition. Your video quality and over-all presentation is excellent. Thank you and keep um comin!
Thank you so much it means the world glad you still dig this channel still =)
Thank you for this great information video. I’m a GM man born in 1954. I would not turn down any of these cars. My wife was born in 1957, her dream car was a 1957. These vehicles were built when people took pride in their work.
Thank you glad you dig this video =)
That place with these cars you show IS worth the international trip ! Good lord yes ! Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Haha yeah that place is awesome
Love the all around design of the 55 Ford. The 58, 59 and 61 are also beautiful designs. Also always loved the 55 Plymouth. Enjoying your videos, Thank you for posting!👍🏼🙏🏼
Thank you so much it means the world to me =)
One of my favorites , makes a good black and white as might be seen on 1950s TV classic "Highway Patrol".
But Sargent Dan Matthews would always have the upgrade, either a Buick Century or Olds 88.
Always enjoy '55 and '56 Fords. I had a grey and colonial white '56 Club Sedan (2-dr) back- in the day with the Fordomatic transmission
You are correct about how it operates as a two-speed in Drive! However, it is a three-speed transmission. You must put it in Low for 1st gear.
Here's something you may not know. Shift into Low and accelerate, then shift into Drive long enough to shift into 2nd gear, then shift back to Low to HOLD 2nd gear and keep on going - shift back to Drive for 3rd gear. All of this to simulate a stick shift with a Fordomatic. :)
My Mom bought herself one of these in 1955. She ordered dark blue over light blue. Beautiful. Parents said it was a great car. It was a fast car them.
First car I remember in our family, 2dr light turquoise. Dad was strictly a Ford man and only ever had a V8. Stood out because it smiled.
Outside the blue portion originally matched the dash and door trim. That's how Ford did it in those days. The blue is sharp, though. Very nice survivor, refurbished, not restored. Fine, impressive daily driver.
I personally like featuring different cars like they don’t all have to be Pristine
Great analysis as always. Showing all the 55 Ford lines (you forgot farm tractors)....and I lived in this time frame.... I always was amazed by the 55 Chevy (which I owned) how it gained soooo much more popularity than the Ford, which was a very good looking car and even a bit more stylish. Your showing the analysis of the cosmetic changes front and back was very eye-opening. And the memory of the ridiculous exhaust connector, which was designed to burn wrists and forearms...which helped sell Vaseline and gauze. Though I had the Chevy... I'd take the Ford both times.
How could I ford tractors lol =) they made get tractors we have one front loader best thing dad ever bought I use it often.
Great insight and selections =)
I love the 55 Ford Victoria. That's the 2 door hardtop, right? Mine in dark blue please Jay..... always dark blue or dark green mate ! Thank you mate 👍 Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
You're right about these cars being overshadowed by the Chevy. I agree that these cars have aged fairly well and aren't all that bad looking.
One day would love to compare all three in two door flavor the Plymouth has the most space.. I haven’t been in a 55 four-door Plymouth yet I’ve been in 4 door de Soto 1956 it’s like a limo in the back
Hi Jay!: The 1955 Ford! Another of my favorites! Our family actually had one in the 1960's when I was a LITTLE shaver! Dad let me sit on his lap and help him "steer" the 1955 Ford Station Wagon! (Car seats? we don't need no stinkin' car seats!) It was light yellow and the same off-white two tone that the NICE one you showed had. Somewhere in the family photo pile is a photo of tiny me toddling around the driveway at Uncle Kenny's Service Station, with the '55 in the background. WYR#1 This one is VERY hard for me, actually, as all three of those cars are NICE. Going Ford only because we had one. #2 I'm not gonna' guess! I want ALL of those! They are SO COOL!!
Awesome story I used to do the with chloe still do that in my truck with her new cars don’t make it easy to have that experience.. way to muck regulations IMO..
Great selections =)
that was great Justin, I like the circular radio.
Happy you dig this episode =)
Ooh... Sin restaurar . Gracias x mostrar ✔👍
Try to keep a balance between pristine cars barn find cars and daily drivers I think it’s really cool to show cars in every condition =)
I had a '55 Fairlane, 2 door 272ci V8 Y-block 3sp w/overdrive and had dual exhaust (no funky exhaust crossover in front of the engine). Kinda miss it. The combo fuel pump/vacuum pump was a real PITA to source (and the vacuum pump was poor, at best) and the three bladed fan was a guillotine just waiting for a victim (every single one I saw has tossed one of the blades, usually right through the hood). 6V POSITIVE ground...
OMG Where did you buy that Hair Piece? It’s so COOL!
Haha all natural
55 Fairlane
55 Rambler
These Fords were somewhat overlooked by the success of the tri-5 Chevys. Which are considered by many to be the epitome of styling for 55,56, and in particular the 1957 Chevy. In reality Ford sold more vehicles than Chevrolet in 57.
I've always considered the 55-57 Fords to be some of the best looking automobiles Ford made during the 50s. Also Jay, as you mentioned. I also agree with you that the styling has held up well.
At first look there's something about these years of Ford cars that makes them look small but when you are next to one or sitting in one it's actually a big full size car.
Having friends who owned these years and having helped them work on them. I can say from first hand experience that burns from the exhaust pipe up high in the front of the engine were real If you weren't careful. What were they thinking?
Maybe I’m biased, for 55 was the year of my birth, I think this was the most attractive version of this Fairlane line made. Great video, appreciate your research and attention to detail, including the original promotional period film.
glad you dig this one =)
I’m going to use commercials in all of the videos if I can find commercials pertaining to the very car that is featured that day
I love what Ford did to the 55's from the 54's. My favorite feature is the the one year only radio that matches the rest of the instruments. Unfortunately, Chevy was a little better overall, and the sales proved that. The only that sticks out with the Ford was the 6 volt electrical system. Chevy went to 12 volt in 55.
The presentation with all the details makes me appreciate what went into the design, thnx J. . . :>/
Thank you so much glad you dig this episode hopefully if everything goes good I’ll be in AMC modern six engine family coming tonight lol
One of my all-time favorite cars 😊 The rounded styling is now changing toward straighter lines, there's more chrome trim than before, tail-fins aren't too pronounced, and the concave grille emerges which Ford would continue with on some models into the future. The headlights look good and the taillights are great in style and size. Gotta love the 'round' styling of the dashboard modules even down to the radio and heater. The valve cover trim panels look sharp, but the exhaust crossover is universally hated by every mechanic and the Y-blocks generally suck but were better than the flathead. With the 6-cylinder you had a good car here. WYR both go to this car, but I do like the Rambler.
Totally agree
this car with a six it was the better engine didn’t have the oiling issues great choices =)
I prefer the 54.
Id rather have a 52 personally
I like the 55' better because of the paint job and color choices. 🐋😊 Riding past Ron's junkyard there were so many of these 55-59 cars, and often just minor problems, but people wanted new cars. Unfortunately most were crushed, but what a treasure was lost, if only someone would have had a crystal ball 🔮
The folks with the crystal balls all bought Chevys !
WYR 1: All of them.
WYR 2: All of them.
You should keep the longer hair for a while. It looks good.
Haha my wife wants it gone I like the fro I’ll have to show some young pictures of me one day I had an Afro in highschool the beard is getting eh
My parents had a '55 Mainline tudor, with a 6 cylinder and a 3 speed. The '55 Fords sold well considering it had a freshened 1952 body, while Chevrolet and Plymouth were all-new that year.
There were several years when about all Ford did was change bumpers, trim, running lights etc. then came the thunderbird. My brother had a metal flake candy apple mercury, 1954?? Perhaps . Hot stuff.
While reviewing the Ford Town Sedan, I noticed a slightly custom 55 Chevy Nomad.
These were nice looking cars and this is my favorite color combination for them. In my opinion it is superior to the forgettable 1954 Ford in every way. This is a nice solid and affordable example. I love that radio! I would rather have the 1955 Bel Air in the first and the 1955 Fairlane in the second.
If only I had 16,000 saved up... I'd definitely buy
I was born in 1957, so these cars would have been around when I was growing up. Thanks for reviewing this one. My mother had a white Fairlane (1959 I think), so I am a bit biased towards Fords for this era. Just for that reason, I would choose the Ford over the other cars. However, when I was in grammar school, my dad had a 1956 BelAir that he let me drive sitting in his lap - so I love the Chevrolet a lot as well. Could I please have one of each?! LOL
My parents bought a brand new ‘55 Customline Tudor V-8 automatic. I remember that car vividly. My father wore it out on his insurance debit.
Thanks, nice work.
Happy you dig this one
Story is my first ride home in '59 was in a '49 Rocket 88, but the first car I remember was a 1955 2-dr, in the lovely teal. Mainline, no chrome, but it had the Y-block. A happy car, it smiles!
I’ve been looking for a mainline to cover. They’re hard to find they’re like the Chevy 150. They just don’t exist anymore.
Only those with the iconic checkmark chrome inspired preservation. Mainline was the cheap one for the most desperate shoppers, usually six-threes, throwaways, and status was everything. Replacements were cheap! Dad got a pair of '59 Mercs in 1967 for @ $100 each!
This car was originally teal or turquoise, but the blue/white looks so good on the Ford and Mercury cars of their unique 1955-56 two-car series.
I started liking Fords after my dad bought a 55 Crown Victoria in 1957.
Awesome =)
My father bought an almost exact duplicate of the displayed auto, just did not have the fender skirts. He traded it not long after he experienced a break down on the Indiana Toll Road. I was 5 years old. Car had its engine issues, which is why he traded it. But I remember it as a very nice ride. I still like the styling to this day
Thank you so much for sharing that story and those memories
I love the way the adds were worded. New Trigger torque power. LOL What ever that was. Great looking car.
Haha yeah it’s great seeing and hearing how different things were back than
That's a cute (if a tad rusty) '55 Fairlane in a great color combination. And I'd take it over the other two choices.
No doubt, Ford had an exterior styling win here. However, in 1955, General Motors started painting its cars with a new acrylic paint that required the cars to be baked, and it produced a superior finish. I think it took Ford almost 4 years to catch up.
Awesome information =)
Mr. SANDMAN BY THE chordettes. I'll go with the Fairlane.
That’s the tune someone beat you for title
I've always thought the 1956 Chevy seemed to be awfully Ford looking after the clean yet radical lines of the 55. I think it was GM somewhat going to a bit of a safer place styling wise for 56 before going to that amazing 57 Chevy.
I have actually driven the next model year, a '56 Ford Fairlane. 10:07 When you open the front doors, the protrusions made by the curved windshield into the door spaces were colloquially called "knee knockers," Auto makers abandoned knee knockers about 1960.
That front suspension was adopted by Checker and was used in their cars until they stopped production in the 1980's
Back in the day Ford was known for new improvements in vehicles. The 55 ford had a new design but still,had the 6 volt operating system until the 56 model year .
QUESTION, and I hoped you'd mention it but didn't..
As you look thru windshield from outside, top of speedometer... what's that? maybe a window to help the sun illuminate the speedometer?
I love these Fords they are beautiful, it was the Y block v8 that let them down. Insufficient oiling to the rockers. Still very sweet looking cars.
This car with the six just like crest line would be the ticket
The Wagon was Great Styling to Me.😊
I 2nd that
Chuck us a Willys please Jay. You know its gotta be "dark blue or dark green " cheers cuz. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Sweet choices
I'd love a modern Fairlane as a true crown vic replacement
That would be so cool
The '55 and up Fords were eye catching, but I hated to see how fast the eyebrows of the '57 and '58 models rusted out (MOPAR's too). Loved the '57 T-Bird!
My Dad was an Oldsmobile man (always used, as he was a school teacher and didn't have the dough for a fresh one) - Good wheels.
never seen that brightwork under the tail lites
I recall seeing that a few times on '55s as a kid. Touch of luxury 😄
Factory or dealer installed optional accessories.
These 55/56 were everywhere. They seemed huge to kids but I saw one at a car show and they seem absolutely tiny! And the sure way to figure out which year is, round stuck-on turnsignal in front vs fit-in-bumper. That's probably the fastest way to find out.
They have a nice manageable size I wouldn’t say that they’re small on the inside. It’s definitely bigger than a two door Ford which that’s kind of a statement but some of the Chrysler cars they’re two-door cars have more space than four-door Fords.
the "all NEW trigger torque" means you will be TRIGGERED when it doesnt start,,and TORQUED when you get the bill to fix it! lol
Haha that great
Interesting to notice that the Soviet Volga was inspired by the Ford models in that it also has a plastic transparent dome for the speedometer. Also the general appearance of the Volga is American.
Great information =)
I really enjoyed this video as when I was about 17 my dad had a base model 55 Ford with the 6 cylinder with the 3 speed Manuel. I loved driving that car a lot.
When you were shooting out the rear window, there was a cool looking chevy wagon in the room behind the Fairlane. Is there a video on that car, if not I'd love to see you do one.
=) glad you dig this video. This one was from a while ago. I don’t remember if I did that wagon I think it was a little bit customized.
I like the '55 🇨🇦 Meteor version. Mercury and Meteor wagon tail lights are interchangeable with the Ford
Radio design always fascinated me. One year only and I don't think I've ever seen another round dial presentation from any other domestic postwar manufacturer. My Dad was a Ford guy and probably just this side of greaser. He had a 56 and 57, and drove others. I know he dropped a transmission at least once. The ad campaign in 56 was $56 for 56. Lee Iacocca's brainchild. 20% down and $56 a month would put you behind the wheel. WYR - nostalgia wins - the Ford both times.
Awesome choices as well as insight yeah that radio is really cool being circular =)
For WYR, I'll go with the Ford Fairlane for both scenarios, although I also like the Chevy BelAir.
This looks like a nicely-kept unrestored survivor car. You usually aren't too crazy about the rear seats of mid-fifties Fords, but I guess this one's not bad. It looks good, anyway.
Great vid!!!!! 👍👍
The '55 BelAir and the '55 Fairlane are my picks.
Sweet choices
The "Thunderturd"
You know, the T-bird wasn't meant to compete with the Corvette. The T-bird was meant to be a personal luxury car. The Corvette was meant to compete with the British sports cars. The tri-five T-birds had a single bench seat whereas the Corvettes had bucket seats. There was room in the T-birds bench seat for 3 people. You could put 3 people in a Corvette, but like in the "Route 66" TV show, someone would have to sit on the console.
Wow! All that visible rust would make me run for the hills. If you took off that rocker trim, I'd bet that rust would have perforated the rockers. I can see the rust near the front top edge of the rocker trim. I can see the perforation about the fender skirt. Scary man!
It's 69years old honest rust. If it was perfect it would be another 15k.
Scary
Plymouth Belvedere and any of the last three never owned a Willy's Car .. like to try one out 😉👍
Ive had a 55 Chevy 210
Granny had a 55 Ford Crown Victoria we put a 312 in it 😊
55 was a great year for Cars 👍
Great Episode 👏👏👏
Happy Motoring ✌️🤠
I believe the '55 was just a heavily facelifted '54. They even managed to jiggle in that wrap-around windshield. If memory serves, a truly "all new from the ground up" ford came in 1965.
Very much so
Sixty-five was also a “new from the ground up” year for the full-size Chevrolets, too. They changed over from the X-frame to the perimeter frame, and introduced a sleek new shape that made the Ford look like a shoebox …
My Parents had a 2 Door Sedan 1956 3 speed with overdrive and the T Bird 312 mom little sister use to sneak it out and race it.
Haha nice did she win any races if so what did she beat, a lot of times it has to do with the driver, not the car I’ve beaten people in cars that on paper have no way of beating them. Like Jetta wagon vs Honda van I smoked Trevor’s Jetta and he was speechless lol
I barely remember the car I was 2 or 3 when we had it just mom mentioned it when someone would bring it up@@What.its.like.
The music you just featured was Mr sandman
Yeah buddy
We had a relative who brought one just like this. It might be his. Although brand new we never really admired this car.
I was surprised this was a 6v system. I looked i up and it seems FoMoCo was last to the 12v party. This was a beauty! WYR: 1) I'm really torn... I like the Ford, but the Plymouth is sah-weet too... 2) Ford!
Yeah Ford motor car Company didn’t go 12 V until 57...
Great choices
If you got a radio in a 1955 ford car it was round!
Yes that was a one year only feature. The 1956 Fords had a more conventional radio.
Super cool radio in 1955 fords
The Ford both times. Way better looking.
Awesome
These plenty-classy mid-century works of art became the pride and joy of so many middle--income families when '55 rolled around, as were the contemporary offerings from Plymouth and Chevrolet with their bold styling, which was a far cry from the conservative & downright dour models that came in the three years before them. The new V8's were a big step forward, as were new options available for "the low-priced three." Like the '55 dashboard better. WYR: -1- '55 Belvedere because that was my first car way back at age 20 -2- '55 Bel Air
Not too far from this 1955 Fairlane I noticed a '55 BelAir Nomad with the same 2 tone paint colors as this Fairlane. My picks here would be the '55 Belvedere & the '55 Bermuda. Willys used the Bermuda name for 1955 only, as Aeros were no longer produced. These Willys sedans were no longer sold on the North American after '55 , but were sold on the export market through1962.
Awesome choices thank you so much for that correction =)
The car where me and my wife conceived our first baby.❤🎉
Nice there is enough space for that activity in this car for sure
What's the black car next to this car ?? Please Jay...it's fricken gangster... and it's black....cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
That gangster car would would be a 1951 Mercury.
Your malaprops are hilarious. The Fairlane script is a " badge" and the hood ornament is a
" mascot"?
Great presentation Jay, as usual. I like the '55 Ford Fairlane a lot, but for WYR I'm afraid I'm going to have to choose the Chevrolet Bel Air and the Nash Rambler Custom sedan. But the Ford Fairlane comes in an easy second in both instances. 😉
Great choices I’d pick the the rambler as well love those even tho it has a flathead
Looking at the engine this was in the days when the average guy with a set of socket wrenches, torque wrench, comealong, assorted minor tools like box wrenches screwdrivers, feeler guages etc. could look at the manual and basicly do most of the repairs himself. Might want to send the heads out to do a valve job but that was it. Unfortunately rust was a big issue here in the north. Still as a teen ager you could buy a car on what you made in your summer job. There was not much in the way of safety. That heavy bumper did little to protect the occupants. That steering wheel was especially dangerous. These were the days when drunk driving was all too common. From that era in the ford lineup the fairlane 500 and thunderbirds were my favoriites though i was personally more of a british sports car fan. I guess reliaubility was not an issue then for me.
I think common sense was more prevalent during that era though people didn’t walk out in front of cars like they do now..
Ford did a fantastic job with the '55 design IMO, but then so did Chevrolet, so both have always been some of my favorites, the Ford having a more formal look, and Chevy just total style, so I'd be happy with either, but if the Bel-Air was the beauty in the clip, I'd definitely pick it!🤩 In the second, provided i already had one of my first scenario choices, I'd go with the Rambler which I really like alot! Cool video 😎
Awesome glad you dig this video sweet choices =)
How did you break your left little finger mate ? Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
? I didn’t break any fingers
In 49, the Fords were a completely new designed car from scratch. The 52s were again completely redesigned from scratch. In 55, the car design was new, but every part of the body was tweaked rather than completely redesigned. Thats why the car seems to be the same as the 54, until you start looking at the details. So it is a newly designed car that is similar to the previous generation. In 56 they tweaked the grill and parking lights and some trim. Then starting with the 57 model year the cars were completely redesigned every year into the early seventies. As for the scenarios, I would rather have the Ford in both, but if I could have two cars, I would take the Plymouth also. Interesting thing about the Plymouth when you look closely at it, it is almost too similar to the Ford. It kind of looks like Chrysler might have stolen some of Ford's blueprints an copied the design with a few tweaks.
Hello good buddy
When I was 3-4 that wasn't a parcel shelf. It was a toddler bed!
Hahaha yes
I thought the radio was cool looking. They integrated it into the dashboard like today’s cars have.
Wow ! The fro, bro ! Ya know, it can't go ! Fvck now..... Cheers from New Zealand
Beautiful cars but remember they were all death traps.
Song is Mr sandman
Ford, and Rambler
Sweet selections =)
Both look good but 54 Gets👍
When did Ford switch to 12 volt?
1957
I've never understood Ford using that odd crossover pipe up at the front of the engine.
I’m not sure y they did that either
Maybe so the exhaust on the right of the engine didn't have to snake around the steering shaft?
Or left In america!
Family had a 55 Town Sedan that had a dual exhaust 272 2V. 3 speed w/ overdrive. I remember as a 4 year old, blasting across Nevada at 75 mph standing up pouring coffee from thermos into a styro cup on the glove box door. Very smooth ride.
You could tweak the voltage regulator up a little and those headlights had range to match anything made today. Penzoil killed more of these engines...
GIVE ME A FORD ANY DAY OVER A GM, GM=GOVERNMENT MONEY! My dad was a tank commander with the 20th Armored Regiment of New Zealand and his steed was a Great Mk 4 Sherman Tank powered by the Great Ford GAA V8 Engine.
After the War (WW2) my Dad only owned a Ford from Brand new until he felt like a model up grade! I can only buy a Ford! I was born in 1955 In Oamaru, South Island of New Zealand!
Awesome thank you for sharing those memories of your dad on here =)
Sweet choice
The 55 is a much better looking car than the 54
WYR1: Not a fan of the big three '55s. Even in its third year of the body design, the Studebaker looked better, catfish mouth and all.
WYR2: I'll take the Willys with the 226 Continental six.
The ‘55 Ford would have been a much more attractive offering if they came equipped with the FE engine. Poor Fords were crippled by that raggedy Y-block until the ‘58 model year. Sad …
Totally agree
Mr Sandman/ the Chordettes
That’s it =)
Belaire,Rambler
Sweet choices
The year I came on earth 😅
Awesome =)
If I had to pick I would've picked the '55 Chevy Belvedere. I am just a General Motors man. I truly believe they are better-made products.🚗🚗
Typo? Bel Air ?
You meant to say '55 Chevy BelAir.
Sweet choices =)
54 Dash
55 Ford
55 Ford
Sweet choices