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Show , "f " f ONE OF 17 MODELS Advanced front end anil side styling of the new 195S Ford is emphasized in this view of the Sunliner convertible, one of 17 new body styles which Ford dealers Will place on display next Friday, September 23. The grille has been widened and lengthened, and parking lamps have been worked into chrome housings which extend around the sides of the fenders. A new-style hood ornament is recessed above the special Fairlane Ford crest. On the fender is the new ornament indicating "Thunder-bird "Thunder-bird power", which is standard in Fairlane models with the Y-8 engine. New Ford Cars Feature Safety Features, Power And Lower Body Silhouette For Year of 1956 Safety features offered for. the first time by any automobile company, power ' equal to the Thunderbird, and lower body silhouettes sil-houettes are available in 1956 Ford cars which 6,800 Ford dealers place on display Friday, Sept. 23. The new Fords will be built in four series offering 18 body styles two more than in 1955. They are available in 13 solid exterior colors or 21 two-tone combinations. combina-tions. A "Thunderbird Y-8" engine leads the power selections available avail-able for 1956. It is installed on Fairlane and Station Wagon models, mod-els, and develops 202 horsepower for Fordomatic, or 200 hp for ov-j ov-j erdrive or standard transmission. Customline and Mainline Fords of-1 of-1 fer a Y-8 engine developing 176 I hp for Fordomatic, or 173 hp for ; overdrive or conventional drive. ! Also the economical Ford six, increased in-creased to 137 hp., is available on all models with all transmission types. Ford safety research, coupled ; with studies of medical groups, led ! to development of a "lifeguard de-i de-i sign" in 1956 models. New door latches give added protection pro-tection against the chance that doors may open under impact. They have been proved in full scale crash tests at Dearborn, Michigan. To keep the driver's chest from hitting the steering column in a crash, the new three-spoke Ford steering wheel has its center hub recessed 3 1-8 inches below the wheel rim. Rear view mirrors have a special spec-ial backing designed to prevent shattering. In addition, Ford offers two optional op-tional safety devices. Seat belts, designed to withstand pull up to 4,000 pounds, will help to hold occupants oc-cupants inside cars and to prevent forward motion. Foam plastic padding for instrument panels and sun visors will help to absorb impact im-pact if a person is accidentally thrown forward. Styling advances in the Ford for '56 include a new grille with oblong parking lights at the outer ends, set in frames which wrap around the fender sides. Body side moulding is restyled for Fairlane, Station Wagon, and Customline models. Restyled tail lamps and deck lid handles, a larger recessed recess-ed hood ornament, and a completely com-pletely new instrument panel are-offered are-offered in all models. The 1956 Victoria is 1 '2 inches lower than the comparable 1955 model. Two door and four door sedans also have new tops reducing reduc-ing total car height almost a full ! inch. However, headroom was not j reduced since the contour change is mostly along the top's center line and fabric headlinings are installed in-stalled closer to the steel top. An addition to the line is (lie I'arklane Station Wagon, a two-door two-door car which offers an eight by five foot load space with tailgate extended. It is fitted inside with deluxe upholstery and trim combinations, com-binations, and has special bright metal trim inside and outside. Early in the model year, Ford will start production of a new four-door Victoria style in which side pillars have been eliminated to provide fill-around vision. A 12-volt electrical system is standai'd on 1956 models, providing 80 per cent faster engine cranking crank-ing ami more capacity to handle the increasing number of accessories accessor-ies being ordered on cars today. The new 30-ampere Ford generator genera-tor has 61 per cent greater power than last year's model. Batteries have 22 per cent more capacity. Optional convenience and corn-fort corn-fort features in the 1956 Fords will include power steering', as well as power-operated brakes, seats and window lifts. Air conditioning, fresh air heaters, and tinted safety glass are also available. This year Ford offers signal-seeking rad:o which automatically selects new stations. A dual-range automatic control adjusts the set for country coun-try or city listening. |