Just like any other keepsake, a classic car can serve as an inheritance that evokes nostalgia and memories for someone who has passed away. The Pick of the Day is one such car—a 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner convertible, specifically—that was owned and loved by the seller’s father for many decades. The car is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com and located in Burbank, California.
“My father, one of the founding members of the LA Roadster Club, gave me this car upon his passing,” the listing begins. “It has been in our family since the mid-60s. I am selling it so someone can enjoy the car and take care of it as it deserves.”
In marketing materials, Ford called the 1956 Fairlane the “Kissin’ Cousin of the Thunderbird.” Expanding on that idea, Ford said, “It not only has the heart-winning lines of its Thunderbird cousin, it also has the Thunderbird’s famous V8 engine. This is the standard eight in all Fairlane and station wagon Fords … at no extra cost!”
That engine, by the way, is a 292ci Y-block V8, and this Fairlane is said to run great with only about 40,000 miles on it. The Holley carburetor was rebuilt, and the battery was replaced under the seller’s ownership. Prior to that, the seller’s father logged a few other key maintenance items (some of which were done in 2011 or prior). They included replacement of the U-joints, hoses, mufflers, shock absorbers, front wheel bearings, radiator, and slave cylinder. The listing says does call out a few current flaws: the top does not go up, there is a crack in the passenger side window, and the paint shows some chips.
The seller has provided a video showing a start-up, and the car sounds healthy. The tour continues with an exterior walk-around and a look at the interior, complete with a pair of fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror. “The car is a head turner and a great cruiser,” the listing says. This Fairlane Sunliner brings a lot to the table—iconic 1950s style, open-air freedom, and the provenance of long-term single-family history.
The asking price is $39,000 or best offer, and that price includes several spare parts, if the buyer wishes to have them (engine, transmission, manifolds, and an air filter).
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
