Up for auction is a 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible project. The floor and body have been professional restored and are now rust-free and straight after many hours of metalwork and restoration. I was preparing the car to paint, but a home project has taken the priority and have decided to sell this car with great potential to someone who can make this car what they want it to be- whether a factory original or a hot rod. The floor was replaced with a rust-free floor from an Arizona Fairlane donor, frame was removed and repaired as needed, painted and installed with the correct body bushings, the rockers have been replaced, lower sections of front fenders and rear quarter replaced with new metal. Hood and trunk are also in good shape. After all the metalwork was completed, the body was primered and block sanded. The body was protected with epoxy primer and the side trim was installed to test the fitment.The door latches and strikers were installed as well, so the doors close and latch as they should. The video below is a walk-around with engine start:
https://youtu.be/RdbaGfYlq_c
Trunk and under-body:
https://youtu.be/jhdi-hDaVBI
The original 1956 292 y-block V8 was replaced with a mildly built 57 312 y-block, although I still have the original engine which ran when it was removed a year ago. Below is a short video of the current engine running:
https://youtu.be/-b7kq0ymclc
Before the painting process begins, I would suggest going through the brakes and suspension. As it sits, all the body panels line up as they should and the car’s structure is solid. The car is in a perfect position to choose whether you want original style brakes and suspension or updated with modern braking or suspension systems.
Included with the car is new glass still in the crate, which includes all side glass and the windshield. I also have set of front and rear bumpers along with the front turn signal housings which are in good shape to be re-chromed. The convertible top material is long gone, but all the bows appear to work fine as it can be moved manually up and down right now- it will need new hydraulics and pump to make the convertible top function again. The header bow is rusted out (as they all are), but I have a custom-made replacement fiberglass header bow (in the pictures) to take its place to make the top structure complete again. Most of the interior and exterior are on the car or in the trunk, but some of the trim will require restoration or replacement, but the hard stuff has been completed on this car. The car need new upholstery including seat covers, foam, door and side panels, and carpet.
You need to just pick the color(s) and direction you want the project to take. This could be restored as a factory original or become a great base for a hot rod. I have included pictures of the car assembled, but also some pictures of the restoration process along with some of the parts included but not installed on the car yet. Fully restored, 1955/1956 Ford Sunliner often sell well above $50k, so there is room to restore this one well below that number. If you have any questions, please call or text me at 847-997-1355.
Thanks Tom