Robert and his 1955 Ford Crown Victoria are regulars at our World Famous Cars and Coffee Folsom as well as EuroSunday gatherings. Well, that was before the Covid-19 shutdown. However, the pair can still be spotted around town now and then.
Robert bought his Crown Vic back in March of 2019. He actually bought it online, sight unseen, from a classic car dealership in Denver, Colorado. He had it shipped out to California, and that was the first time he had seen her in person. Other than Robert replacing the front ball joints, upper and lower control arms, and oil pump, the car is all original. The original motor – a 272 Y block V8, proudly boasts 162 HP, with approximately 53,000 original miles under her belt. There is a nice set of twin glass pack exhaust pipes bringing up the rear. I love those things. I grew up listening to them in my mom’s maroon and white ’55 Chevy hardtop Bel Air – music to my ears. But this isn’t about me, sorry.😂
In 1955, Ford angled the front wheel spindles forward by 3 degrees, for a smooth “angle-poised ride.” Robert’s Crown Vic is driven down the road by a two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Contrary to what most folks assume, the Bright Metal Roof Transverse Molding (Ford’s official name), or most lovingly called the “basket handle” or “tiara” is NOT a roll bar. The tiara originally appeared on the Mercury XM-800 Concept car. Because the tiara wrapped from the B pillar on one side of the car to the B pillar on the opposite side, the Crown Vic is not really a true hardtop with an unobstructed view. This styling feature was used again between 1977-1979 on the Ford Thunderbird, Fairmont, and Mercury Zephyr Z-7 coupes.
The year 1955 was also the year of the panoramic, wraparound fish bowl windshield, measuring a whopping 1,100 square inches! In 1955, Ford Fairlanes were offered in three trim levels – Fairlane Sunliner (convertible), Meteor (Canada), and the crowning jewel; the Crown Victoria. Incidentally the name Fairlane is derived from Henry and Clara Ford’s estate on Fair Lane, in Dearborn, Michigan.
In addition to our World Famous Cars and Coffee (before and after Covid) and EuroSunday gatherings, Robert shows his Crown Vic at various local shows, including the Fair Oaks Fiesta. Even though I have wanted to for years, it took me a while to get around to writing about Robert’s Crown Victoria, but I finally made it. Thank you, Robert for coming out regularly and letting me interview you and tell me your story.
Photos and story by Carol Marcopulos
