1956 Ford Fairlane Sedan

’56 Ford are similar to the ’55 Model Fords which has many of lines of the ’52 when Ford made a complete restyle of their cars on a new chassis. The ’56 grille was new and had wraparound parking lamps. Believe it or not, the sedan’s roof was lowered 1” and maintained the same headroom while the Ford Fairlanes had a wider side trim, new trunk emblem and updates to the taillights with chrome accents. “Lifeguard Design” was now here with Ford with the introduction of the Dished steering wheel (2-1/2”), padded dash and sun visors. Seatbelts were introduced but Ford could not keep up with demand and most units do not come with them.

If you like 56 Ford Fairlanes, this is one of the best examples around. Tom has one outstanding ride. He purchased this beautiful two-tone green Club Sedan when he was just a young 15 years old, and it was his 1st, Car! When Tom’s family were traveling back in rural West Virginia for a family reunion, his dad spotted this black ’56 Ford on a car lot, and they bought it on the spot for $900. His Dad flew back to retrieve it and drove it back to Baltimore for Tom’s 1st car. Tom had got the affliction “Motorhead Ittis” from watching American Graffiti as a kid and the mold was set, he had to have a classic Kool ride, the mold was set!

Just so you know the “Street Gasser” look is not stock on this ’56 Ford. It is part of making this green machine “Tom’s” look. The powerplant is a 351 Ford Cleveland CJ. If you did not know CJ stands for its Canted Valve Engine. They had thin wall castings, better breathing valve train, large oval ports exhaust intake and 5 main bearing nodular iron crankshafts. Now you know about
Ford Cleveland difference! A 750 Quick Fuel with Edelbrock Torker 351 intake brings this beast to life. Tom runs 100 Octane/AV Gas! Headman headers keep the exhaust smooth with maximum street horsepower gain. Flow Master mufflers with dual turn tubes get the noise to the rear. Engine plumbing has been done right and yes it has ’65 Mustang motor mounts. The engine was built by Maryland Performance Specialties.

To get that horsepower to the pavement, a 4-speed top loader feeds a Ford 9” differential with 4:56 gears for those occasional times you gotta get respect. Yes, the Crager SS wheels sport BFG skins for good traction and occasional smoke shows. The chassis is made with the right stuff in the right place, with brakes good enough to handle the occasional stop light sprints.

You will not find AC in this street machine, AC is for sissies, but the interior is well accompanied and exceptionally detailed. Bucket seats with Tweed material green accents of course. Notice the Fire Extinguisher between the seats, this for those who lose it trying to stay up with Tom. Yes, a 270-degree tach in plain sight for those exact power shift points with the Hurst Floor shifter. Placed just right between the spokes on the Grant polished steering wheel. Dash is well accompanied with SW gages for one of the cleanest street gassers around. The paint is sweet on this ride, with Emerald Green over Seamist green in base coat clear coat paint. His brother, Doug, did the paint and body/subtle body modifications, we all need a brother like this!

Tom has been a member of Relics & Rods for 28 years and is currently the president. He has been into classic vehicles, over 50 years, since American Graffiti and gets to drive this “street gasser” weekly to local runs, with Run to the Sun car show his favorite event. You can see him on the street of Lake Havasu City almost like cruising American Graffiti, deja vu. His dad had an impact on Tom as he always had classic cars and as we know the apple does not fall far from the tree. His favorite car is the ’63 Corvette Stingray Split Window in his dreams. Look for Tom to be at the Kingman Street drags when he builds a ’69 Dodge Charger Race car because of the need for speed in his blood.