The Ford 5.0L V8 Coyote has become one of the most popular engines for folks looking to upgrade any manner of vehicles – not only newer ones, but also, vintage models as well. It makes perfect sense given the fact that the Coyote is a proven platform with the ability to generate seriously impressive power with just a few upgrades, not to mention the fact that, well, it can be purchased as a brand new crate engine with zero miles. Now, we’ve come across another very nice machine that’s up for auction with 5.0L power – albeit, not the newer Coyote, but rather, its predecessor – this 1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan.
This 1955 Ford Fairlane is up for grabs at Hagerty sporting a bevy of upgrades in every regard. On the outside, those include Drama Gold Metallic and Ford Pearl White two-tone paint, which is accompanied by side moldings from a 1956 Crown Victoria, rechromed bumpers, and mixed 17×7 American Racing front and REV rear wheels wrapped with 245/40ZRX17 front and 275/40 ZRX17 Riken Raptor tires.
Inside the cabin, one will find a mixture of black and tan leather upholstery with “Fairlane” embroidery and a 1950s Ford red and blue crest, along with power windows, a Vintage Air HVAC system, and iEquus gauges. Power comes from a rebuilt Ford 5.0L engine from the 1987 model year, which was originally rated to produce 225 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, flowing to the wheels via a rebuilt four-speed gearbox. Other mechanical upgrades include front and rear suspension components from a 1987 Chevy S10 pickup, power front disc brakes, and rack-and-pinion steering from a 1994 Mustang.
This 1955 Ford Fairlane is just the latest Blue Oval model we’ve come across with a more modern powertrain swap, a modification that has become incredibly popular in recent years. That list also includes a 1957 Ford Custom with a Coyote underhood, a 1965 Lincoln Continental with Coyote power, and a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 with the same modern powerplant.
Comments
I grew up with a ’55 Ford like this one. BUT, it was a 4 door sedan, all one color blue, and also had a V-8. Not 5.0L, but a 272 Cu. In. with 3 speed on the column and over drive. My Dad bought it new and had it until about 1964. It was the car that I learned to drive and passed my Drivers Test with this car. The Hwy Patrol Evaluator gave me a 98 on my test. He was amazed how well I used the clutch. I will always remember him saying I would have had a 100 score if I had not killed it starting out at a stop sign one time.
FYI, I grew up on a farm and also drove tractors and F250’s all with manual trans. since I was about 5 yr old. Now I have a 2021 Mustang Mach 1, 5.0L with 6 speed manual….of course.
Great story ! I grew up wfith my grandfathers ’55 Fairlane w/ a 3 in the tree. Cheapest version available, not sure that it even had a radio. Great car that the family used for decades.