Guys,

As mentioned in another post, we have been invited to show our car in a pretty high-end show.  Im assuming they needed "filler" cars, as the other cars mentioned as participating include Duesenbergs, old Bentleys, A Bugatti, and the Indy Turbine car, among others.  We are WAY out of our league for sure.  I know that Joe Bortz (concept car collector) is one of the show directors....

As part of the show, they are putting together a catalog with a photo and description of each of the cars.  While they have asked for things that make our car unique (i.e. restoration history, etc), since it isnt a "1 of none, made from unobtanium by aliens in 1938 and hidden in a barn in the dutch countryside until a year ago" kind of story, Id like to pepper in some facts about 55 and 56 fords; any interesting trivia?  Sales vs chevy for those years?  I know the 56 sunliner was the winningest car in nascar history (I think?) but anything else?  I know about the engine options, thunderbird inspired design, reflective of the jet age, etc.  Also, anybody have any guess as to how many sunliners are surviving?  A few thousand?  More? 

I would welcome any and all thoughts or comments.

THANKS

PS - here is a link to a flyer for the event:

http://www.highlandparkhistory.com/

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

When we take our '56 Victoria to local shows I have a framed 8-1/2 x 11" fact sheet with it's standard features and options listed proped up above the grille when hood is open.

It ends with "1 of 177,735" and "Your Grandpa and Grandma's Favorite Car".  That always gets them commenting and asking more....Good Luck

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Ron,

One of items that may be of interest to a car show like that where the caviar and wine is being passed around is maybe mentioning Ford's innovation for safety in 1956? The seat belts, padded dash introduction, the way the door latches/locks were made, the steering wheel design, etc... just a thought.

I like the idea of mentioning Ford's winning in Nascar in 56! And the convertible race car history is in a class all its own.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Ron, Get Tom Drummond to add to the racing history, he's restored (built) two versions and knows a lot about those years.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

The 56 Sunliner won about 56 races, I like the number I think it was 55, I witnessed one of the races, in 56 at the Memphis track. Our family car was a 56 ford. After so long I believe a Pontiac won. However the interesting thing about Tanner's 56 Sunliner is that they welded a Vicky top on the Convert. and won about 15 of the races as a Sedan? I presently own a 56 Sunliner, and I have been helped by the forum.



Cheers, jhtdon

Cheers, Don

Ron

What makes the 56 Ford unique is that is the best looking car Ford ever built,period. Carl

Guess I'll have to go along with that.

-Gary Burnette-

I have to agree.

Jan  Urbanczyk  Major USMC Ret.

                                                                 Bowie Maryland

Can't argue with that.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

I agree totally and the reason is this. When I was 9 years old in 1956, living on a farm in the Okanagan Valley near Kelowna B.C. a fellow from down the road drove into our yard in a brand new turquoise and white '56 Crown Victoria. I thought that it was the nicest looking car I had ever seen and I still do. The fellow was building a house and his wife and he lived in the garage. My Mum said that if he hadn't bought that car he would have finished his house(which he never did). I didn't care I liked the car. This past June I went to my 2 room elementary school's 100 year anniversary and the owner of that car was there. He said he sold the car a few years later because he couldn't keep tires on it. He bought a 4 door ford because he had kids, a familiar story.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia