What Model is This 56
 

What is this called? A Mainliner? I had a car exactly like this when I was 16 in 1964. 272, three on the tree (for a while) two door post. It was really engine smoke and not burning rubber going out behind it.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

That's a '56 Mainline.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

Hey Dobie, I don't think it is a Mainline. I have had two and the brightwork does not go on to the front fender. On the door is a short piece that is about ten inches long.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

Looks like a customline to me. Has the stainless trim around the back glass. Don’t believe mainlines had any there — just the rubber gasket


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Re: What Model is This 56
 

Customline

Re: What Model is This 56
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1636594572

1956 Ford Mainline Tudor Sedan.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1636595067

Illustration of the 1956 Ford Mainline Tudor Sedan from the original Sales Brochure when it was first released. Notice that there is no chrome strips on the sides.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1636595252

Illustration of the 1956 Ford Mainline Tudor Sedan from the updated original Sales Brochure dated 1/56. Notice the added chrome strips on the sides.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

You're correct, it's a Customline. My bad...:o

Re: What Model is This 56
 

===============================================


Winner, winner=chicken dinner :D;)




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Re: What Model is This 56
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1636594572

Hey guys, this car is a 1956 Ford Mainline, not a Customline. How much more proof do you want?

Re: What Model is This 56
 

I'm not convinced. It has all the Customline side trim. It looks like someone added the stainless piece below the white paint that leads to the tail light. They did an excellent job of it, too.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1636595252

Dobie Gillis, Check out this page from the original updated Ford Sales Brochure, and you can see that Ford added this extra Trim part way through the Model Year. What more proof do you want?

Re: What Model is This 56
 

Both of my two door Mainlines had stainless trim around the windshield and the back glass. My first one had the side trim of the Tudor "Business" Sedan and the second (which I still have) has the side trim of the Tudor Sedan. All Mainlines only had the short spear side trim.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

OK, I'm saying "uncle". I wasn't aware of the mid-year change.

Re: What Model is This 56
 

The Customline had a side trim that went all the way to the front where the Mainline did not. Mainline cars started out as trimless early in 1956 production but changed to the abbreviated side trim at the rear and added trim around front and rear glass. There were other interior trim differences and exterior options but the external side trim differences do stand out enough to tell the tale.

I can't say if there were differences in Canadian production or not. This link is a good one,
https://1956-ford.com/1956-ford-cars-all-brochure.html

Re: What Model is This 56
 

I wonder ... :confused: ... as I often do, if ....

If it would be a good idea to break the car down in question by the PATENT PLATE (SERIES CODE - BODY CODE - BUILD DATE)?

Seems to me as more accurate than, "As I remember" ...

Re: What Model is This 56
 

As I remember, mine did not have the stainless strip across the fenders and doors. I have an old girlfriend who has a picture of the actual car, think I should call her and ask? Ha ha, probably not, she's on husband number three!!!!!!! I could have been number one, just lucky I guess!

Re: What Model is This 56
 

That must have been a very early pre-production brochure. '56 Mainlines did have the bright trim on the front and back windows. '55 had just the black rubber. Also, '56 Mainlines had side trim, but not all the way accross the door and front fender. Also the tailight trim where the back up light would go is '56 Fairlane. Who knows. Would be nice to see if it has just a horn button or a horn ring too. Horn center cap only was Mainline. Would be nice to see what it says on the side trim on the quarter panel. should say Mainline or Customline,

Sal

Re: What Model is This 56
 

With Fairlane trim on the tailights and incorrect side trim ? It's yet to be found what model it is. Would be nice to see the body code on the data plate.

Sal