In 1955 as discussed, 292s were not usually available to the general public accept in T.Birds. The 272 Special or "Power Pak" was the usual engine option. It included dual exhaust & higher compression Heads. (which are listed on Mummert's site) Unfortuantely, if I have it right, it was only available with a Fordomatic. And I believe the "competition" made their Power Pak available with a standard transmission...

Paul

One of my cousins had a '56 Vicky in the early '60's that had factory air that looked similar. It was a 312 automatic. Prety car and ran well as I recall.

Ted s wagon is a rare optioned car, would love it! i also had optioned 55 with A/C which is rare for customline series.and 292 4bbl

yyy

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Great information and stories. I knew they were not a common option. My brother had a '55 Fairlaine 4 door he bought around '58 and it was a 2 barrel car. It would smoke the tires with the 2 barrel and Fordamatc. I bet there are not many of the 4 barrel 272's left by now. Thanks for the replys.

My ’55 Country Squire has the 182 HP Special 272.  Still has the original T-Pot four barrel carb still on it.  This wagon was loaded with options including air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, power seats, etc.  No power windows though but a reasonably ‘loaded’ car when delivered from the factory.

 

I do have a P code ’55 Mainline tudor that I’m slowly stripping out that was a factory 4 barrel equipped 292.  This particular car was originally ordered by a law enforcement agency and based on the door badge imprints I found when removing the paint on the doors, this car was used by a Game Warden back in its day.  General Ford policy in 1955 was for the 292 option in the Ford cars to only be available as special order for state or local government agencies.  This prompted the availability of the four barrel equipped 272’s (182HP Special) to cover the needs of the general walk in customer.  These were designated as a M code in the VIN.

 

If a person knew someone in the purchasing department of a local government agency in 1955, then a P code car could be ordered without specifically being for the agency.  I’m told that this is how Ted Cain originally purchased his 1955 P code glasstop Crown Victoria with some special delete options.  Come 1956, that ‘law enforcement’ option became quite fuzzy on the Ford lineup simply due to the Thunderbirds and Mercury’s already getting the top of the line engine options.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

A friend of mine had one that he ordered that way.It was a 55 Fairlane Club Sedan.His parents let him sell his FFA project (pigs) and use the money to buy the Ford.A 292 option was too much money,but he had enough for the 272 4 barrel.He could ruin a pair of rear tires every Saturday night with that car.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

I agree. Anybody got one or seen one??

I,m guessing theres more chance of 55 customline 272 with 2 bbl carb and 55 fairlane 292 with 4bbl.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I have been discussing this intake with a couple of my friends. Anybody ever actualy see a '55 Ford, other than a T-Bird, with a factor 4 barrel? The books parts books show a 272 4 barrel and 292 4 barrel. I remember one that somone had when I was in high school that was supposedly a 292 4 barrel. Saw a '55 Victoria at the car shows several years ago that was a 292 4 barrel. The owner said it was special ordered by a Sherif's department. It is my understanding that the 292 4 barrel was mostly a police car option. Every one I can remember was a 2 barrel 272. Anyone have a factroy 272 4 barrel car or actualy seen one?? Just curious about the rare ones.

T-Bird water outlets point straight forward, as you said.  Passenger car ones point upward at about a 45 degree angle to the passenger side.  Truck ones point straight up, angled slightly forward.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"