1956 Ford Customline

Eric P. Yorlanos 1956 CUSTOMLINE VICTORIA

FORDs tagline for the 1956 Customline Victoria; Americas fine carat half the fine car price.

My father bought this colonial white on diamond blue Customline Victoria in 1999 for $700. The engine was ceased, so he had the engine and transmission rebuilt. The engine is a Thunderbird 292 Y 8. Thrush mufflers make the car rumble just right. The car has 152,000 on it. Dad had the Continental kit put on the car. Dad had the car repainted too. The continental kit says 20 Again. The story on that is when my Dad was 20, he skillfully talked my Grandmother into cosigning for a brand-new 1956 Customline Victoria, but in white on red.
The goal for this car is to keep it period correct. The interior is original.
Some of my favorite memories of the car are car shows with my Dad. Like on Fathers Day parade driving on the boardwalk in Sea Isle City. The event planners always had a cool t-shirt for the car show. Dad got plenty of trophies for his car. We were in parades on the boardwalk in Ocean City NJ, always a favorite cool thing to do with Dad.
Ive many antique cars in my days, but while I enjoyed my fathers 56, I didnt care for the car, I wanted a Cadillac. However, the day came when he put her up for sale. I really studied the car and its lines and chrome.I fell in love with the car. Once I owned the car, I had it shipped by Horseless Carriage in New Jersey to Florida. I invested in overhauling the suspension system, I put sway bars front and back, new shocks, all undercarriage rubber. New fuel line, in line fuel pump and carb filter. I put wide white radials and a new radiator.
Although it has no seat belts, the 1956 FORDs were the first cars to offer Lifeguard seatbelts as an option.
Here in Palm Beach Florida, Dad only got to ride once in the car. He passed away on July 9, 2017. He owned the Customline for 17 years and I have owned it for 7 years now.
I have found out that there were only 33,000 of the Customline Victorias built. She shows well with many people stating they have never seen one before. I have won many trophies for her, mostly 1st place and a few Best of Show and Managers Choice.

Americas Car