True Love

When Dennis saw the ‘56 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan in the Ford dealer’s new-car showroom, it was love at first sight. This was the car he wanted. But his father had no use for Henry Ford, so instead Dennis ended up with a Plymouth like his dad owned. But he never forgot his first love. Cut to fifty-one years later. Dennis finally buys a ‘56 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan from a classic-car dealer whose name is omitted to protect the guilty. It looked good, with fresh paint and chrome, but looks can be deceiving. Since he got the car he has had to rebuild the 292 CID engine and the Fordomatic transmission. These are not inexpensive tasks. He bought a radio touted to fit the stock dash, only to find it to be junk. Then he had the stock radio rebuilt, but it still does not work. He went to his first car show and had the generator go on the fritz before he got home. When he decided to add the fender skirts that were optional that year, he had to replace the after-market wheels and tires that were on it with stock ones because the skirts would not fit. Dennis himself admits that it has been a “money pit.” Fortunately, his wife Lucy does like the car (although she agrees to the money pit part). Fortunately, because even after all the headaches, Dennis still loves his Ford. After all, true love never dies.

The original “Thunderbird Special” Y-block engine has been “punched out,” or had the cylinders bored to a larger diameter for more power, and a more efficient carburetor was installed. It has power steering, but no power brakes. Dennis says it helps to wear heavy shoes for stopping this heavy car.

Story and photos by Roamin Angel Ron C. ©2007