What were the engine options for the 1956 Ford Crown Victoria?
In brief, the 1956 Crown Victoria offered two V8 engine options: a 272-cubic-inch V8 and a larger 312-cubic-inch V8.
Context of the Crown Victoria lineup in 1956
The Crown Victoria was Ford's premium two-door hardtop in the mid-1950s, part of the upscale Ford full-size lineup. For the 1956 model year, Ford provided Crown Victoria buyers with a choice of V8 powerplants derived from Ford's advancing Y‑block family, paired with the era's manual or automatic transmissions. This setup reflected Ford's strategy to offer performance and prestige in its top-line full-size car.
V8 engine options
Below is a concise list of the available V8 engines for the 1956 Crown Victoria, along with their general characteristics.
- 272 cubic inch (4.4 L) V8 — a smaller displacement V8 in the Y-block family, commonly offered with either manual or automatic transmissions
- 312 cubic inch (5.1 L) V8 — the larger displacement V8 with higher output, typically paired with an automatic transmission
Availability and specifications could vary by regional market and option package, and some buyers could order higher-output configurations or specialized carburetion. The two engines represent the core powerplants offered for the Crown Victoria in 1956.
Additional details about performance and options
While the Crown Victoria's engines shared lineage with other Ford full-size models, the 272 and 312 V8s differed in displacement and output. The 312 engine generally offered more horsepower and torque, contributing to stronger acceleration and higher cruising speeds, while the 272 provided a balance of performance with fuel efficiency for the era. Most Crown Victoria models were offered with Ford's three-speed manual or Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, aligning with mid-1950s drivetrain conventions.
Summary
For the 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, buyers could choose between two V8 engines: a 272 cu in V8 and a 312 cu in V8. Both engines were part of Ford's early V8 family and were paired with the period-appropriate transmissions. This configuration helped Crown Victoria maintain its status as Ford's premier full-size model during the mid-1950s.
If you’d like, I can pull additional specifics from contemporary brochures or dealer catalogs to pin down exact horsepower figures and trim-level availability by chassis.
What engines were available in a 1956 Ford?
The 1956 Ford engine options included a 223 cubic inch overhead valve inline-six and four different Y-block V8s: the 272, 292, and two versions of the 312. Horsepower varied by engine and specific model, with the six-cylinder producing around 137 hp and the V8s ranging from 173 hp up to 225 hp, with higher performance versions available on the Thunderbird.
You can watch this video to see the 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria in detail: 56sRare Classic Cars & Automotive HistoryYouTube · Oct 14, 2023
Engine options
- 223 cu in inline-six: The base engine, producing around 137 horsepower.
- 272 cu in Y-block V8: A V8 option that generated 173 horsepower.
- 292 cu in Y-block V8: Available in versions with 200 or 202 horsepower.
- 312 cu in Y-block V8: The most powerful option, available in a range of horsepower ratings from 215 to 225 horsepower.
Performance highlights
- The 312 V8 was a high-performance option, particularly for the Thunderbird, with versions reaching up to 260 horsepower with dual four-barrel carburetors.
- The engine lineup provided a range of options to suit different needs, from the fuel-efficient six-cylinder to the powerful V8s.
Did Ford make a Crown Victoria in 1956?
1956 Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner production was only 603. Sales slipped as customers realized the problem of keeping interiors cool on hot days.
What engines did the Ford Crown Victoria come with?
| Ford LTD Crown Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.2 L (255 cu in) Windsor V8 4.9 L (302 cu in) Windsor V8 5.8 L (351 cu in) Windsor V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed AOD automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 114.3 in (2,903 mm) (sedan) |
How much is a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria worth today?
The value of a 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $29,250 for a 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria in good condition with average spec.
