1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan Restomod

Description

The 1955 model year was a significant one for Ford, which introduced both the sporty Thunderbird and the premium Fairlane — named for Henry Ford's Dearborn estate — which replaced the Crestline as Ford's premier full-size model. The '55 model year was notable for its modern design, which featured a longer, lower, and wider body compared to its predecessors.  

The two-door Fairlane Club Sedan came with a range of engine options, including the 272 cubic-inch V8, which produced 162 horsepower, ample performance for the era. The car also featured a three-speed manual transmission, while an optional Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission was available. The interior of the Club Sedan was designed with comfort and style in mind, offering a spacious cabin with a modern and functional dashboard that featured a symmetrical design with easy-to-read gauges. 

This upgraded 1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan wears Drama Gold Metallic and Ford Pearl White paint with 1956 Crown Vic side moldings, black and tan leather door panels and black leather upholstery embroidered with “Fairlane” and Ford's 1950s red and blue crest. 

Highlights 

• Upgrades include: 

  • Finished in Drama Gold Metallic #12 PYK and Ford Pearl White paint over black/tan leather interior with embroidered leather upholstery 

  • Powered by a rebuilt 1987 Ford 5.0 EFI V8 engine rated at approximately 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque 

  • Rebuilt Ford four-speed automatic overdrive transmission with Lokar shifter 

  • 1987 S10 Chevy front and rear suspension with coil springs 

  • Power front disc brakes (rear drum) 

  • 1994 Ford Mustang power rack-and-pinion steering 

  • Power windows up front 

  • Air conditioning by Vintage Air 

  • iEquus tachometer mounted on steering column, and iEquus water temperature and oil pressure gauges mounted below the dash 

  • New fuel tank 

  • Re-chromed bumpers 

  • American Racing 17x7 wheels up front, REV 17x17 wheels in rear 

  • Riken Raptor tires: 245/40ZRX17 up front, 275/40 ZRX17 in rear 

Features 

• The chassis number (U5KT176188) decodes as: 

  • U – 272 cu-in V8 OHV 2bbl carb 162 hp  

  • 5 – 1955 model year 

  • K – Kansas City, Missouri, assembly plant 

  • T – Fairlane Tudor/Fordor 

  • 176188 – Sequential production number  

• Ford data plate decodes as: 

  • Body code 70C – Fairlane Club Sedan two-door  

  • Color code KE – Buckskin Brown 

  • Trim code J – Light Green vinyl and Medium Green patterned cloth 

  • Date code 18H – August 18 built date 

  • Production code KS8027A – Kansas City assembly serial number S8027A  

• Original circular AM radio with pushbuttons 

• Analog clock 

• Factory heater 

• Original dash instrumentation: 120 mph speedometer and odometer, fuel level and water temperature gauges, oil pressure and generator warning lights 

Known Imperfections 

• Light scratches on the interior paneling below the driver's side rear window 

• Radio pushbuttons do not work 

• Clock does not work 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

Ownership History 

The consignor of this 1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan purchased the car in March 2019.