Each year the SEMA show floor is filled with project cars vying for the attention of the automotive aftermarket. One that we are looking forward to checking out is a 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria built by Wes Adkins of Wild Wes Paintworks in Dover, Ohio. Not only is it a classic piece of Blue Oval hardware, but a unique drivetrain is set to motivate it. A 312-cube Ford Y-block V8 boosted by not one, but two TorqStorm superchargers and controlled by a Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection will give this car the go to match its show.
Under the hood of the Wild Wes Paintworks-built 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria SEMA project will be a twice-boosted 312-cube Ford Y-block V8 fitted with TorqStorm superchargers, Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection, and backed by a Cyclone Ford AOD four-speed automatic. (Photo Credit: Wild Wes Paintworks/Summit Racing)
“The car is actually a homecoming of sorts; Wes’ dad, Willard, restored the same car over 30 years ago for owner Tony Confalone,” Summit Racing’s Alan Rebescher explained. “Tony brought the Fairlane back to Wes looking for top-to-bottom custom build, little knowing how major an undertaking it would turn out to be.”
As with many cars of this age, this one was in need of just fresh paint and a new interior. This car was in need of a full on restoration, which blossomed into a restomod project with plenty of custom touches (see sidebar).
The car was in rusty shape when it arrived at Wild Wes Paintworks so it is getting a new frame, a new suspension and a host of custom touches.
“Blame the whole thing on 30 years of Ohio weather. The Ford looked really nice when it rolled into Wes’ shop, but as he disassembled the car, rust and rot reared their ugly heads. The frame could not be salvaged; the same went for the floorpan and trunk as well as the bottom half of the doors, quarter panels, and front fenders,” Alan added. “But the Ford’s condition was perfect for Wes to work his magic and highlight his new business, Wild Wes Hot Rod Factory.”
1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria Features
• 14-inch Wilwood disc brakes
• 312 cubic-inch Ford Y-block V8
• Custom 3-D printed hood ornament rescaled to 60-percent of the factory ornament’s size
• Custom-built Be Cool radiator
• Cyclone Ford AOD automatic
• First-generation Ford Thunderbird door handles
• Flaming River tilt steering column with scaled-down ’56 Ford steering wheel
• Fuel filler relocated from under rear license plate to inside the trunk
• Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection
• Mickey Thompson ET Street (335/45-18) and Street Comp (245/40-18)
• Modified front bumper with license plate pocket eliminated
• Narrowed and tucked rear bumper
• Narrowed Summit Racing Ford 9-inch axle housing w/ Moser Engineering axles, 3.73 gears, and Detroit TruTrac differential
• Schott billet wheels (18×8-inch front, 18×10-inch rear)
• Shaved trunk door lock replaced with mechanical trunk handle hidden under rear bumper
• Thunderbird-style front and rear bench seats in factory color scheme by Jeff Elwood
• Two TorqStorm superchargers
• Vintage Air climate control