1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Convertible (LHD)

Ford launched an all-new model in 1955 to compete with the latest Chevrolet, with restyled bodywork that was longer, lower and wider - in fact the shape was classic mid-Fifties American styling, with plenty of chrome, panoramic windscreens and the first hint of fins. Like Chevrolet, Ford was caught up in the horsepower race and introduced two bigger, more powerful V8s along with the Fairlane, named after Henry Ford's mansion in Dearborn, that replaced the Crestliner model at the top of the range. The Fairlane came with extra chrome, with a distinctive stripe down the side, and was available in either six-cylinder or V8 guise, with an extensive range of body styles. These included the Town Sedan, Town Victoria, Club Sedan, Club Victoria, Crown Victoria and Sunliner Convertible. Seatbelts and air conditioning were two new options but proved too costly for most buyers. The two overhead-valve V8 engines available were either the Y-block 272-cid or Thunderbird 292-cid V8, the latter developing 193 hp at 4400 rpm. In total, 49,966 Sunliners were made in 1955 (no breakdown between engine types is available) and they are now very desirable cars indeed for Ford collectors, or lovers of Fifties American cars generally.