These days, safety is a huge part of the automotive engineering equation. Air bags, crumple zones, pre-collision warnings, and active braking all help us steer clear of harm on the roadways. But it wasn’t until the mid-1950s that Ford really started promoting safety as a fundamental focus.
Ford said at the time, “With its exciting beauty and power news for 1956, Ford announces the biggest safety news in car history: Its Lifeguard design – the first comprehensive contribution to driver and passenger safety in accidents.” The Lifeguard system came with a deep-center steering wheel, double-grip door latches, a safety rearview mirror, and options such as a padded dashboard and sun visors.
The Pick of the Day is a 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Richmond, Texas. (Click the link to view the listing)
The striking two-tone color combination of the exterior drew me in, because it’s not every day you see a hot pink and pearl white car rolling around. The chrome trim adds lots of bling to the already attractive look, and additional features include bumper guards, wheel skirts, chrome wheels, and whitewall tires. The seller says that the car went through a frame-off restoration which explains why it looks so fresh.
The eye-catching color scheme continues to the refurbished interior with pink finishes for the dash, steering wheel, and door panels. Hanging from the rearview mirror are a pair of fuzzy dice accented in – you guessed it – pink. What was the intent behind the motif, I wonder? Embroidered on the back seat (as well as on spare tire cover) are the words “Unchained Melody,” a reference of course to the famous 1955 song written by Alex North with lyrics by Hy Zaret. The best-known version of the song was performed by the Righteous Brothers ten years later, in 1965.
Even the engine bay is adorned with pink treatment. Momentum is derived from a crate-sourced, fuel-injected 5.0-liter High Output V8 mated to an automatic transmission. The seller says that the car “Can be driven anywhere,” so those words should instill confidence in potential interested buyers.
The 1956 Ford was marketed in advertising as “America’s fine car, at half the fine car price.” This colorful ride looks like a fun cruiser as well as a great conversation piece. And now, I’ll undoubtedly have “Unchained Melody” in my head for the rest of the day! Hopefully it sticks with you like it did for me.
The asking price is $35,500, and the soundtrack in your head comes at no additional charge.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, cruise on over to Pick of the Day.