The Faded Barn-Find 1955 Ford Fairlane Whose Flaws Are Its Real Value
Someone needs to immediately rescue this 1955 Ford Fairlane model that was abandoned in a barn decades ago. This sleeper build hasn’t had the chance to let its engine roar since 1972, meaning its secret tri-power has been kept under wraps for decades. But the lucky collector who pounces on this vintage drag-strip brawler will face an incredibly difficult decision. Should they leave the bargain find as is or restore it?
Here’s What Unmodified 1955 Ford Fairlane Models Are Worth
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the Ford Fairlane as a classic Chevrolet Bel Air. It was produced from 1955 until 1970 as a jack of all trades. It existed as a fleet model and was suitable for families. But it was also the ultimate sleeper, embarrassing muscle cars on the drag strip with big-block V8 engines under the hood in the 1960s.
The most powerful engine available for the 1955 Fairlane was the 292 cubic-inch (4.8-liter) Y-Block V8 with 200 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. This was a rare upgrade option for police cruisers and specialty packages. With the 292, the Fairlane accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 12.3 seconds and completes a quarter mile in roughly 18.3 seconds.
Value for surviving 1955 Fairlane models fluctuates based on condition, originality, and rarity. One Fairlane Sunliner convertible, which is an extremely high-end model in pristine condition, recently sold for $82,000. Then another Fairlane Skyliner model with a glass top sold for $30,252. A majority of available models typically go for between $15,000 and $25,000, leaving a slim margin for returns on restoration work.
But This Ford Fairlane Barn Find Is Different
A surviving 1955 Ford Fairlane model is basically a rolling history exhibit, a vintage racetrack monster with valuable drag-strip upgrades. It’s a two-door sedan with a B-pillar instead of a hardtop. The B-pillar is a vertical steel support column to improve structural rigidity, reduce body roll, eliminate excess weight, and provide better rollover protection.
It also gained a potent engine swap with a 312 cubic-inch (5.1-liter) Y-Block overhead-valve V8 that was introduced in 1956. This engine churns up between 210 and 260 hp and 285 to 289 lb-ft of torque depending on the setup. This isn’t factory-correct, but the 312 engine is highly sought after over the 292 engine because the 212 has a reputation for rocker arm oiling issues.
Other performance upgrades include an Offenhauser triple carburetor (tri-power) setup, an Iskenderian cam, and custom headers. The build is paired with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a Dana 44 rear end. These Fairlane upgrades are consistent with popular drag racing mods of the era.
Plus, the odometer only shows 7,853 miles. This indicates that the car was only driven for a quarter-mile at a time instead of experiencing road use. A trophy from 1964 indicates that it was still active in the early 1960s. According to the seller, the car last ran in 1972 before it was parked in a barn out in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Plus, all of its racing patina corroborates the story.
Restoring This Fairlane Is Possible And Expensive
Unfortunately, this 1955 Ford Fairlane drag racer could have some mechanical demons to exorcise. At least the engine will turn over by hand, but it has been sitting there for over 50 years, so attempting a cold start could cause catastrophic damage. Dry bearings could cause metal-on-metal friction, the fuel system could be filled with old gas that’s turned into sludge, and the seals may have rotted away.
You would need to remove the spark plugs and inspect them for rust or coolant intrusion. Then it will need bore lubrication with ATF or mystery oil before priming the oil system via the distributor. Also, the entire fuel system needs to be flushed; the carburetors and fuel pumps might need to be rebuilt, and the ignition system will have to be serviced.
The estimated cost to get it running again ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. That’s for cleaning up and diagnostics. In the listing, it says the radiator is missing its upper hose, the drive shaft is in the trunk, and underbody rust is noticeable. A major engine repair could add another $5,000 to $9,000.
Then there’s the risk of running into larger issues that could add thousands to the cost. If you wanted to strip the Fairlane of its racing history and restore it to showroom quality, then costs could range between $40,000 and over $70,000. This probably wouldn’t provide a return on the investment.
Leave The Racing Patina Intact
The true value in this particular 1955 Ford Fairlane is related to its authentic muscle car history and racing upgrades providing more power and stability. You could spend the money to restore it and enjoy it as a clean cruising vehicle. However, that would strip it of what makes it unique as a model that should never have been abandoned in a barn.
Right now, the unique advertisements and tri-power setup provide more bragging rights with a build that stands out from the crowd. Restoring it to showroom quality will make it just another pretty Fairlane to look at. Plus, it would probably be a lot cheaper to get this Fairlane ready to hit the track again.
Sadly, it’s unclear if the car is running, and there are risks to consider. The buyer will have to slow down before making any substantial plans until they learn the full scope of the project. But the build is such a captivating combination for old-school Ford performance fans. Hopefully, the vintage brawler ends up in the right hands.
Source: How Stuff Works, Bring A Trailer, Barn Finds
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