For 1956, Ford went all out to promote safety. They called it their Lifeguard Design. Its “double grip” door latches were extra strong, and a “deep-center Lifeguard” steering wheel helped ensure that the horn button didn’t cause injury in a crash. “Lifeguard padding” was optional for the dashboard and sun visors, and “Lifeguard seat belts provide protection against all these sources of injury.”

The Fairlane Victoria offered here was built in Long Beach, California, on April 13, 1956, and proves that Ford could combine safety with style. It underwent a body-up restoration, which saw it finished in Diamond Blue and Colonial White with a white vinyl and medium blue cloth interior, to match the codes on its trim tag. The body is straight and has perfect door fit and panel gaps, highly polished stainless trim, and excellent paint. The engine bay is nicely detailed, with proper hoses and clamps and a period-correct battery, and the interior is like-new, although the carpets fit a bit loosely.

Like many of Mr. Day’s automobiles, this Victoria is exceptionally well equipped. Under the hood is the 312 V-8 with 225 brake horsepower, known as the “P-code” engine, which was introduced to California cars very late in the production run. This was the hottest standard engine available in a 1956 Ford, especially when breathing through the dual exhaust, as is installed on this car. The engine is mated to the Ford-O-Matic transmission, and the car is equipped with power steering, power brakes, and a lot of brightwork, including stainless rocker moldings, rear stone guards, and fender skirts with stainless guards. A rear-mounted Continental kit finishes off the package nicely, and passengers can enjoy tunes from a Town & Country radio. This car is obviously a nice driver, as it has been run 8,649 miles since its completion.

Few Fairlane Victorias have been restored to the standards usually seen on the more expensive Crown Victoria model, but this is a splendid exception.