By: Bobby Webb
While the 1955 Chevy still commands a vast following, the 1955 Ford garners far less attention. That’s curious because in many ways Ford was more than a match for the Chevy that year. Though admittedly not “ground up” fresh, it offered colorful new styling and the most powerful engines in Ford history.
Basically what Ford had going for it in 55 was a thoroughly reworked version of the 1952-1954 platform. The 55′ Chevy was and still is the most popular but the ’55 Ford was a beautiful car that ran a close second.
There were several models with the Fairlane Crown Victoria being at the top of the line. Though it looked like a pillarless hardtop, the Crown Victoria was actually a high-style two-door sedan. You could also get the two-door hardtop, a Sunliner (convertible), and a Skyliner which ws a Crown Victoria with a optional Plexiglas front roof section.
Today, the distinctively styled Crown Victoria has become the focus of the ’55 Ford fans, and there are not enough to go around. So if you want one in your garage, don’t pass up the next one you see for sale. as you know, sometimes opportunity only knocks once.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Loved your write up. As an old car nut myself I feel the same way you do in that it always seems to be someone without a hobby or interest in cars that causes the most grief to collectable car owners. I have 4 collector vehicles and keep getting dinged by the township that I have too many cars. I have a 55 Chevy, 40 Ford Coupe, 67 Camaro, and 56 Ford. My sons have several also and share the old car love affair. We’re in Michigan so we attend the Woodward Cruise and even then you hear of prople who dislike the cruise because of all the traffic. I wonder where some of these people would be without the automotive industry or the cars that have been built over the years.
Tom Jalosky
Tom, Thanks for your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to read my article. Sounds like you have a great collection. I look forward to getting to know you online. Maybe we will meet at a show someday.
LOVE THE MUSTANG’S. MY FIRST CAR WAS A MUSTANG BACK IN THE 70′S. I ALSO OWNED A ’66 MUSTANG AND SOLD IT OVER A YEAR AGO FOR A CORVETTE. I DO HAVE AN ’06 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE (PONY TYPE) AND LOVE IT. SOME DAY WOULD LOVE TO OWN A SHELBY. PERHAPS IF I WIN THE LOTTERY I COULD AFFORD IT! LOL
Thanks for your reply. I also love Mustangs. I purchased one at lunch time on April 17, 1964. This was the introduction date for Mustangs. Every dealer received a white hardtop and a red convertible. I purchased the white hardtop. I have own three, two 1965 models and one 1966. They are really fun cars. You can tell that by how successful they are 46 years later.