Colorized Mario's Tribute to Ford Crown Victoria 54 55 56

Mario on Sep 11, 2022 said:

The 1954 Top of the Line Ford Crestline Victoria was updated with minor styling and trim changes. The Skyliner version was added, a 2-door hardtop with a tinted acrylic glass panel in the front section of the roof. New 223 cu in straight six and 239 cu in overhead valve engines were offered dubbed the Y Block.

An interesting historical fact is that Canadian and Australian 1954 Fords didn't use the Y block V-8 for 1954, instead retaining the flathead V-8.

In 1955 the Ford Crestline was replaced by the Ford Fairlane. The Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria nameplate was used on their flagship models of their full-size model range for 1955 and 1956. The styling feature used is a stainless-steel band trimming the B-pillars ("crowning" the roof), giving a sleeker appearance to the roofline.

In 1956 Ford's adoption of a 12-volt electrical system allowed for many more power options. There were new convenience options, such as a new air-conditioner system, a new heater, and a nine-tube signal-seeking radio.

The nobly titled Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria was indeed a crown jewel of the Ford family, residing in the top trim level series. The classy hardtops are undoubtedly one of the best looking cars of the 1950s, thanks to the prominent “tiara” chrome band that ran across the top and connected the B pillars. Enjoy! Mario.

57timemachine on Sep 12, 2022 said:

No doubt very iconic Ford automobiles. I have always been a big fan of the 1956 Ford, especially the Victoria and the Crown. Mario, thanks for show casing the Canadian version of those amazing vintage cars. There is no doubt in my mind, that if I ever owned a Ford. It would be a 1956 Ford Victoria hardtop with the T Bird motor and all the accessories possible. Another great post Mario. Cheers.

Mario on Sep 12, 2022 said:

Thank you George. I too have always had a soft heart for the 56 Ford Crown Victoria. What a beautiful unique car.

I remember back in 1956 at age 9 when a neighbor bought a new 56 Ford. I used to stare and admire the car from my bedroom window.

At the time my Dad had a 52 Ford and living at my Uncle Al's house he had a 51 Ford. The 56 was so modern to me and I never forgot that.

I wanted to show the Canadian versions in my post because I never knew they existed back then. Glad you liked my post. Cheers!

azmusclecar on Sep 12, 2022 said:

How funny, I just happened to turn on Invasion of the body snatchers movie. In the opening scene, Kevin MCarthy the star arrives at the train station and his nurse picks him up in his car which is___________________________

You'll have to watch the movie to get the answer.

Thanks for MY Cars Mario. I accept.

Mario on Sep 13, 2022 said:

I had to check out the movie, a 1955 Ford! I got some nice screen shots from the movie and added them in. They used a lot of Fords in that movie.

Great catch Rob noticing the 55 Ford as you watched the movie! Thanks!

azmusclecar on Sep 12, 2022 said:

Those are some colorful cars posted. I believe the whole color palette was used. A much happier time and people enjoyed being able to individualize their rides. Great Post, even noting the death of the Queen. Nice touch Mario.

Mario on Sep 13, 2022 said:

The colors of the cars in the Fifties was so unique. Too bad a lot of good movies were still black and white back then.

They make the Fifties look drab when in fact they were very colorful to me growing up back then.

I'm glad to see a lot of the old movies being colorized with today's technology. We didn't see in black and white, we saw in color. Love the pastels. Cheers!

Anonymous on Jun 23, 2023 said:

Talking about black and white. I was 15 when my dad towed a 56 Vicky home. It had a 312 w a cracked head. Dad got it for a song I'll bet. So, we dropped a straight six in it and I forever got commpliments on the California rake the lighter engine created. Junk yard extra parts including Mustang buckets. I died them black to match the b/w exterior and interior. White walls with soke wheel look-alike hub caps. Stunning.

azmusclecar on Sep 12, 2022 said:

I was glad the owner of the 56 with the transparent top was honest. I couldn't see one of those being used out here in AZ. You may as well coat yourself with lard and listen to the sizzle as you cooked.

The brochure said it cut the heat by 70%. The guy that wrote that brochure must be a politician by now.

Mario on Sep 13, 2022 said:

They were a very dark tint not that easy to see out of but I doubt they cut the heat by 70%.

Eventually they became our Sunroofs and T-Tops but tolerable with air conditioning. Cheers!

57timemachine on Sep 13, 2022 said:

On a movie car side note. That 1955 Ford sedan that is in the movie is actually owned by the actor Kevin McCarthy. He drove his own car and I suppose it is because the movie had a shoe string budget. Cheers.

Mario on Sep 13, 2022 said:

That's a great Trivia side note George. I don't think any actor would use their own car today in a movie unless they got paid extra!

He was also in a cameo role in the 2nd remake in 1978. But he didn't use his own car! Cheers!

Mario on Sep 13, 2022 said:

BTW I checked and the movie Budget was $416,911 and took in at the Box office $3 million! Good thing Kevin drove his own car to save money!

azmusclecar on Sep 13, 2022 said:

I did not know that part George....now I have a great trivia question, if I can only find someone willing to play it.

Mario on Sep 14, 2022 said:

Ask me! Ask me!

azmusclecar on Sep 14, 2022 said:

Easy Mario, easy. I was referring to George's enlightenment to the fact that Kevin McCarthy drove his own car in the first movie. That, my trivia loving friend, IS the trivia question I can ask someone. But I can't ask you because see, you already know the answer.

Mario, with your knowledge and financial backing, may I suggest you CREATE, DEVELOP, AND MANUFACTURE A GAME BOARD LIKE MONOPOLY, where instead of properties, the spaces are marked with car names.

You can buy the "CAR" or "TRUCK" on that space like you would the property if it were Monopoly.

You can even have a "GET OUT OF MECHANICS JAIL FREE" card in what is called the TOOL BOX space.

As you can see I have a lot to time to think about this.

EVEN THE NAME:

CARNOPOLY. :-)

Mario on Sep 14, 2022 said:

And the answer is............Ann Margaret! I know that's one of the answers in the Trivial Pursuit game so I figured it would come up sometime!

Great idea you have for Carnopoly! You indeed have given a lot of thought into this and I commend you Rob. Your mind is all over the place and hard to keep, up but I try.

Time to have your milk and cookies and take your meds! Cheers!

azmusclecar on Sep 14, 2022 said:

And I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow for my 71,000 mile check up.

I know the gears are still turning, but it seems the clutch is slipping and I have some leaks too.

Mario on Sep 14, 2022 said:

Well I'm glad you're going in for a tune-up. Very important to do once a year to keep the engine purring.

It's good you're still under warranty so you can get done what's needed!

Too bad you couldn't come to the car show we had last night but I guess it's too far to drive. There were no 69 Camaro's there. Maybe next year. Cheers!

azmusclecar on Sep 14, 2022 said:

I'm not allowed out after dark Mario, or I would've been there. I have to be in the house when the street lights come on. No more Tin Can Alley, or Hide and Seek or driving now due to my vision. Even with cataract surgery, a previous surgery on my eyes back in the 90s has taken it's toll and I can no longer see at night.

So if it's a car show in the DAY!! HEY I'M THERE.

Mario on Sep 14, 2022 said:

I have the same problem Rob. Night driving is difficult and the cataracts are starting to bother me, so night driving is local and at a minimum. Luckily my brother John picked me up in his Vette to go to the car show. It's Tough getting old, but we have to go with the flow. Cheers my friend.

Mario on Nov 9, 2022 said:

Added new pic 15.

Mario on Apr 12, 2024 said:

I colorized the B/W pictures.