[Dealer Film] 1955 Ford Fairlane vs BOP/Dodge Colorized

Thanks John for sending this one...
Get a high end Ford vs the price leaders from the middle price brands?
Ford wants to "Upsell" itself against the Pontiacs/Buicks/Olds/Dodge.
It's just hard to park extra sheet metal!
1954 was a HORRIBLE year for Chrysler...

[@supersportus]

That fella has some dirty fingers.

[@plophlegm]

That caught my eye

[@saxongreen78]

Ah yes, the 'inferior' Pontiac crankshafts...forged from a single bar of tempered steel instead of cast into a mold and subsequently case hardened. 😂😂😂

[@autochronicles8667]

Yeah Ford was pushing that one :)

[@shaggydogg630]

Oh the horror of a forged crankshaft! Lololo

[@michaelbenardo5695]

What the Ford lacks is the prestige of the medium-priced makes, especially that of the Buick Special. In reality, the Ford, despite being a face-lifted 54, just like the Buick and the Olds, shows really well, and for less money. These kinds of points are why the medium-priced makes took such a huge hit in the 58 recession.

[@andrewwanner6855]

Really? The 1955 Ford kept the 1954 dashboard but in all other respects it looks more like the 1956, with the wraparound windshield, hooded headlights and similar grille, although the 1956 had more modern turn signals.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@andrewwanner6855 It does, but it isn't actually an all new car, only the cowl and the tail were really new. The 56 was a mild face lift of the 55.

[@timx-wj3kq]

I did think it amusingly disingenuous of Ford to repeatedly tout the supposed superiority of a cast iron crankshaft, as against the forged steel item of its comparators. Thanks for sharing this enjoyable clip!

[@autochronicles8667]

yeah i thought that one was humorous also... Chevy loved the oil bath air cleaners... stating it wont ever clog like a paper element...

[@saxongreen78]

...don't buy a Plymouth with those inferior single speed electric wipers - Ford has TWO SPEEDS of useless vacuum power!

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@saxongreen78 If you got the optional combination fuel pump, the Ford's wipers would work well. Same for the Chevy.

[@kingelvis7035]

Hahahaha. I noticed that too.

[@jackallen6562]

Heh heh - also pretty disingenuous to accuse the competitors' of "excess front sheet metal" while the photos plainly show the length difference is due to Ford's (unmentioned) shorter wheelbase, not overhang.

[@gabriel.954]

At the end of the day, the Name influences the prospect. "I drive a Buick/Olds/Pontiac" sounds much more successful than "I drive a Ford."

[@autochronicles8667]

Same as today, the brand name influences perception that's for sure.. And people spend a lot on marketing to keep that name out there.

[@tomservo56954]

Ford's strength was at the high end of the low price market...Fairlane matched the Bel Air in sales, and dominated in convertibles, station wagons, and V-8s. Chevy made up for in its sales of mid-line models (210) and 6 cylinder cars, where they held a big lead (in fact Ford has a sales film strip from 1956 encouraging dealers how to market the Customline models, with sixes to those who wouldn't trade up). And it turns out in 1955, Plymouth's base Plaza models outsold both the Mainline and the Chevy 150.

[@nlpnt]

I wonder how base-trim sales broke out in retail vs. fleet. Ford had been the go-to for police since the '32 V8 and Mopar was coming on strong in that market and in the middle of a long period of dominating the taxi trade. GM didn't compete that hard on govt fleet sales in those days when their market share topped 50% and they had a real fear of getting trustbusted.

[@saxongreen78]

The 1955 Plymouth Plaza was a basic car that _looked_ expensive...definitely the scoop buy of the entry level Detroit models in that year. An entry level Ford really felt austere by comparison.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@saxongreen78 Ditto for the Chevy 150. Was super plain, as was the 55 Ford Mainline. Their respective 56 models were much better looking.

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

This promo film is great...BUT... The Ford's base V8 was the 272 with 2-bbl and single exhaust. The fact that they used the power pack version is not completely fair. In 1955 Ford still had problems with body integrity. GM cars were really solid and tight. Not all Fairlanes had carpeting. My dad's 1955 Sunliner had black rubber mats. Two small items the promo announcer missed: 1) Ford had suspended brake (and clutch) pedals since 1952. Pontiac and Buick pedals still came through the floor. 2) GM had a 12V electrical system.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@Al-thecarhistorian Pontiacs with power brakes had a suspended brake pedal since 53, but otherwise you are 100% correct. Chrysler products were the best quality by far up through 51, but the 52 and later were not the same. They never recovered from the Korean War restrictions on steel quality. By 53, GM cars were the best overall.

[@chrisbrown3925]

Damn those bean counters forcing those poor buyers to suffer with a forged steel crankshaft!!!

[@autochronicles8667]

Yeah Ford really screwed up on that one :) No one wants a forged crank, cast rules :) Kind of shows how they are spreading fake news... Ford/GM were pretty bad, and Chrysler actually was the most honest of the three because they usually had the performance edge. Roy Ross was an "outside" company and did Mopar films so they actually had a reputation.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

I know. Wouldn't you just love a cast crank? That forged crank will never hold up.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Cast crank and save 70 dollars at the same time. Sold.

[@davehue9517]

I always love listening to these old school narrators and announcers...no one can make displacement and rear shoulder room sound sooo dramatic...

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

My dad was a Mopar man 46 Plymouth and a 1953 Chrysler Saratoga. For some reason he bought a 1959 Bel Air and really liked it 283 and a Powerglide. Then he bought a 1962 Ford Galaxie with a 292 and a Fordomatic. Well it blew a head gasket and that was the end of Fords for him.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

My grandpa was a Plymouth man. He bought a 58 Chevrolet that he always said was a good car. In 65 he traded it for a new fairlane. His words, worst pos he ever had. Traded it in 66 for a new Fury 1. Never had another ford. My dad however was always a Ford man

[@kingelvis7035]

WOW. Had no idea Lincoln was using a GM transmission - Hydramatic - in '54. I learned something!

[@autochronicles8667]

shhhh dont tell :)

[@VictorySpeedway]

Rolls Royce used Hydramatics for a time, as well.

[@kingelvis7035]

@@VictorySpeedway I was reading a 'Jan 54 Motor Trend and saw that Nash actually used it too.

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

The Pontiac had unbelievable braking as well as handling.

[@carlmontney7916]

First off I love this channel and I love these old dealer videos I can sit and watch them all day I love all the sales speak where a couple tenths of an inch becomes a big deal. That said. After watching this I'm ready to rush right down to my local Ford dealership and buy a car. Oh wait... Ford doesn't make cars anymore😮

[@autochronicles8667]

Yeah the nostalgia factor is huge on these, its why it hooked me to start collecting :) I am also huge into the auto magazines of the day... The interest in automobiles by the public interest was incredible and some great articles. I might do some article recap videos.

[@jimdodge5766]

I really enjoy these comparisons. This announcer is doing a superb job. WELL DONE SIR. I'd buy the Ford for sure

[@autochronicles8667]

Good choice!

[@joelpierce3940]

Forged steel crankshaft is good

[@autochronicles8667]

shhh!!! you don't want that! :) you want CAST IRON! :) Yeah that one I was "okay Ford you know you lying about that one"... :)

[@kingelvis7035]

Dodge's 13.6" of extra length is PREPOSTEROUS! Heavy, useless and hard to park!

[@autochronicles8667]

hey BIGGER is better :)

[@chrisjeffries2322]

The 55 Chevys had Ball Joints

[@curtcollett2893]

Always wondered how Nash Ambassador would have faired with solid mainstream styling instead of trying for the niche market.

[@tombob671]

How is a cast crank an advantage for Ford?

[@autochronicles8667]

Cmon its CAST! :) that was pretty bad :) It's funny to watch the SERIOUS false claims... Chevy said the paper air filter will constantly clog up restricting the air... Claiming the oil bath air cleaner was much better...

[@briancritchley5295]

Y block Ford engine is my favorite V8, yes they had there problems but once sorted they are beautiful running fun..

[@StephenViola-ib8dq]

Y block could could never compare to the small block Chevy!!!

[@Paramount531]

The 55 Chevy with its new V8 totally rocked Ford's world. In 56, Ford tried to sell safety, a very worthy issue, but was still trounced by Chevy.

[@tomservo56954]

But as I said, Ford still sold more V-8s in 1955 than Chevrolet

[@johneddy908]

4:05 - 4:16; Lincoln called its version of Ford-O-Matic "Turbo-Matic."

[@raypeters4525]

THE OLDS WAS FIVE TIMES THE CAR AS FORD !

[@autochronicles8667]

not sure about 5 times :) The 55 Ford is nice.

[@The_Temple]

‘55 Hudson Hornet with Packard V8 for me :)

[@rongendron8705]

I'm 78 & was well aware of the various differences between Ford & other brands! To me. with the exception of the 'classic' 1955 Chevy, no other car came close to the '55 Ford! My friend had a '55 Ford Crown Victoria with A/C., power steering, brakes & windows, in 1965 & it still seemed "ahead of its time"!

[@ne1cup]

I loved my 55 ford , 55 Chevy was cool too. I bought a used 55 Fairlane in 1966and swapped out the 272 for a 312 interceptor

[@plophlegm]

So much fun to watch these dealer info strips, filled with histrionic bombast. Always makes one root for the sponsor!

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

I wonder if that guy with the dirty hands was a mechanic, or shelling walnuts?

[@bobmalack481]

Sounds like the mantra of today..why with the taxes paid today do you settle for less?..Robert at 68.

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

None of the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury or Mopar offerings before '56 included a 12 volt electrical system; in fact, no make outside of GM offered it. I would shoot for Chevy or Pontiac and not Ford or Dodge for '55. Mopar for '55 offers the then new "Forward Look" whereas they stayed focused on vanity with the Dodge wearing it well, but atop the inadequate electrical system, all Mopars had a gimmicky automatic shifter wand dashboard centered. Ford's ignition was to be left of the steering column, making it awkward for anyone left-handed. I don't say the GMs weren't without some flaws; but whatever was made up for with their cars being more deftly equipped and that counts most, in addition to build reputation. You couldn't beat Chevy's Bel Air for '55, and the fact that everyone already had stars in their eyes that Chev would take the future by storm with the Tri-Fives, and everything that justified them beyond the obvious. And again, quality, astute equipment, and of course, looks made them such ideal choices for '55. I drove a '55 Chieftain, supposed to be bigger and heavier than Chevy, but oh, what surprising handling in corners, and even structured parking situations, almost as good as my '98 Honda CR-V. Keep your Fords!

[@autochronicles8667]

yeah they would ditch the dash shifter pretty quick... I do like the 56 Fury though...

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

@@autochronicles8667 That one was one LUSCIOUS ride!!!

[@74rockon]

I’ll keep my fords all day long

[@nlpnt]

First generation CR-V is starting to become a classic car in its' own right. Especially if you have a good color and/or manual transmission. Look up Radwood and see if there's an event in your area, it'll be appreciated there!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

English cars had 12 volts, and they couldn't compare to ANY American-made car, except for the Rolls and Bentley.

[@joeclemmons6505]

What about rear fender skirts? Ford Fairlane has them: B.O.P.& Dodge does not.

[@autochronicles8667]

That was probably an add on.

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

Skirts were extra on the Ford Fairlane.

[@bluegtturbo]

You'd need to be bat shit crazy to not buy the Ford!

[@gcfifthgear]

What about the oiling problems (including leaks and lack of lubrication in some areas) on the Fairlane Special V-8?

[@matthewq4b]

Only an issue if you failed to follow the service intervals.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

That was a fixable area, but you did have to do much disassembling.

[@matthewq4b]

@@jamesbosworth4191 No it doe not require much disassembling to fix the base issue just the valve cover has to be removed. Unless you are trying to fix one that is already clogged.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@matthewq4b To truly fix the issue, you have to remove the camshaft and machine a groove in the center bearing journal, so that oil flow to the rockers is constant, rather than intermittent, or replace it with a later grooved camshaft. You also have to make sure the cam you would buy uses the same size bearings. Some used a different size. While you have the cam out, you also have to make sure the center cam bearing is installed correctly. Some are not. It has 3 oil holes, not just 2, and all 3 have to index with the oil holes in the block. The last part of the fix is on the rocker shafts. Plug that oil bypass tube, so that the rocker shafts will be pressurized. That will help insure that the oil holes stay opened. Make sure the umbrella valve seals are good, as loose valve guides will mean high oil consumption after you do that if the seals are bad or missing.

[@matthewq4b]

@@jamesbosworth4191 No you do not have to go all through all that with a deeper grooved grooved or grooved camshaft shaft UNLESS you have a performance build. Most factory cams were already grooved..There is more than enough oil flow for stock configurations with stock valve spring pressures. From the factory the center cam bearing is installed in the correct position. With oil holes aligned. Only engines that have been rebuilt may have the bearing misalignment issue. If the engine was new from the factory the fix is to just block off the rocker shaft bleed off (they are not a by a pass as you said). If the engine has bearing misalignment issues then you do the external oil feed to the rocker shafts. Neither fix requires extensive work or disassembly on the engine just rocker cover removal, which on a Y block is 2 nuts per cover.

[@mikes2460]

Wow 54 was a bad year for Chrysler...

[@eugenepiurkowski5439]

But, boy did the come roaring back in 55. From the back to the front.

[@massivefins2597]

@@eugenepiurkowski5439 yeah wierd... came right back

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

'54 was dubious, nay BAD, regarding moribund design, and sales, for said reasons, were consequently moribund. '56 was Mopar's really last great year, with that of the preceding year's revolutionary new Forward Look being even more refined . '57-'58 seemed further airborne with a second gen Renaissance of bejeweled "flying" landcrafts, but that's where it all ended, and for good. Quality , or lack of it, brought the new exciting landcrafts crashing down to the runway, and although Chrysler strove to make it up to us, the make never would again, apart from the mighty impregnable drivetrains, BE the quality leaders they were before. What WENT wrong?

[@nlpnt]

@@davidzdziarek-zl8cu '58 when they somewhat sporadically worked the bugs out of the Forward Look '57s - or not. It was the first year for the Mopar Quality Lottery - get a good one and they can be as good as anything, but they have way more than the industry's typical share of lemons. Been the same ever since.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@davidzdziarek-zl8cu It actually started in 1952, with Korean War restrictions. They lost their almost rust-proofness, and were just average, but then in 57, they were made of rust. The 58 was better, 59 still better, but still not like Chrysler cars used to be. Chrysler never really did get all that much better than that, and never again was able to threaten Ford.

[@5610winston]

11:58 Shift quadrant: Natural (doesn't the corpse look natural), Drag, Surge, Lope, Race?

[@merc-ni7hy]

its ford for me

[@jamesbosworth4191]

The 54 - 56 Fords are beauties, Ford's Tri-Fives.

[@paulsheehan5010]

Olds, Buick and Dodge are comparible to Mercury.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

They are, but the Ford salesman was trying to impress on the customer that he could get a dressier car in the Ford for less money than the medium-priced cars base models.

[@paulsheehan5010]

Why no comparison with Plymouth and Chevy?

[@autochronicles8667]

They are beneath the Ford, please :)

[@WilmerCook]

The old tea pot 4 carb.

[@paulsheehan5010]

In Canada, the Dodge was a rebadged Plymouth.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

The smaller cheaper Dodges were, but the full-size Dodge was the same as the pre 60 US Dodge, then we got the Dodge Dart, which was a Plymouth with Dodge-style front and rear clips, plus regular big Dodges.

[@nikolaimarcusandersen165]

So 3 speed is better than a 4 speed. A hard sell

[@autochronicles8667]

Of course :) Less is more!

[@nikolaimarcusandersen165]

@@autochronicles8667 I can already hear the salesmen repeating that phrase :)

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Not only that, but you had to floor it to make it start off in 1st gear.

[@chrisbrown3925]

Torque converter good!

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@chrisbrown3925 Later, yes, but the early converters, late 40s - early 50s, were not so great. Too "slippery" and generated too much heat. Later converters were much better though.

[@shaggydogg630]

My dad bought a 55 Ford brand new when he got out of the service. Four years later I came along. I remember that car well and thought it was a very cool car even as a little fella. In 1964 we got a 57 Plymouth Savoy. It was always vapor locking. Dad parked it out in the pasture where it sat for 40 years. He replaced it with a 62 Galaxy. Six cylinder and three on the tree and NO RADIO!

[@jamesbosworth4191]

abandoned it just for something so easy to fix? Wow.