1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicles Brochure
Ford Division of Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, Form FD-7602 Litho. in U.S.A. 9-55
NOTE production numbers not found
PAGE INDEX Click links or scroll down
• Mainline Tudor Sedan 2 dr, 6 pass
• Mainline Fordor Sedan 4 dr, 6 pass
• Customline Tudor Sedan 2 dr, 6 pass
• Customline Fordor Sedan 4 dr, 6 pass
• Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Custom Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Six-Passenger Country Sedan 4 dr. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Eight-Passenger Country Sedan 4 dr. Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. 2-pass Rear Seat folds down (w/ cushions removed). Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 84.3"
• Lifeguard Design • Engines • Clutches • Transmissions • Rear Axle Ratios
• Body • Tires • Mech Specs • Police Car Specs • Ford Times Magazine
• Mainline Fordor Sedan 4 dr, 6 pass
• Customline Tudor Sedan 2 dr, 6 pass
• Customline Fordor Sedan 4 dr, 6 pass
• Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Custom Ranch Wagon 2 dr, 6 pass. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Six-Passenger Country Sedan 4 dr. Stowaway back seat folds down, or opt Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 75.8"
• Eight-Passenger Country Sedan 4 dr. Stowaway 2/3-1/3 divided back seat folds down. 2-pass Rear Seat folds down (w/ cushions removed). Opt side-hinged panel-type rear door. Loadspace length 84.3"
• Lifeguard Design • Engines • Clutches • Transmissions • Rear Axle Ratios
• Body • Tires • Mech Specs • Police Car Specs • Ford Times Magazine
1956 Ford Mainline Tudor Sedan Std Ford V-8 272-cid 173-hp (176-hp w/ Fordomatic Dr) 2-bbl single-exh U-code eng, 10" clutch, Conv Dr 3-spd trans, 3.78 (opt 3.89) rear axle, & 6.70 x 15" bias 4-ply tubeless bsw tires. This example has opt Conv Two-Tone AE-code Raven Black & Colonial White ext paint +$19.35, Spotlight (+$?), & Grille Guard +$27.
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Engines
• Ford I-6 223-cid 137-hp A-code (here), all drives
Optional Police & Emerg Mainline & Customline $93.73 less than std Ford V-8 272-cid 173/176-hp U-code
Optional Police & Emerg stn wagon $93.73 less than std Thunderbird V-8 292-cid 200/202-hp M-code
• Ford V-8 272-cid 173-hp (176-hp w/ Fordomatic Dr) U-code (here), all drives
Std Police & Emerg Mainline & Customline (incld)
• Thunderbird V-8 292-cid 200-hp (202-hp w/ Fordomatic Dr) M-Code (here), all drives
Std Police & Emerg stn wagon (incld)
Opt Police & Emerg Mainline & Customline $50 over std Ford V-8 272-cid 173/176-hp U-code
• Special Police Y-8 292-cid 200-hp (202-hp w/ Fordomatic Dr) M-code (here), all drives
Opt Police & Emerg stn wagon $50 [est] over std Thunderbird V-8 202-cid 200/202-hp M-code
Opt Police & Emerg Mainline & Customline $100 [est] over std Ford V-8 272-cid 173/176-hp U-code
(Not offered to public)
SPECIAL EQUIP INCLD
• large low-restriction oil-bath air cleaner • dual exhaust (Mainline & Customline) • reg fuel use
• (Police) Interceptor Y-8 312-cid 210-hp (215-hp w/ Fordomatic) P-code (here), all drives
mid model-year
Opt Police & Emerg stn wagon $200 [est] over std Thunderbird V-8 292-cid 200/202-hp M-code
Opt Police & Emerg Mainline & Customline $250 [est] over std Ford V-8 272-cid 173/176-hp U-code
(Not offered to public)
SPECIAL EQUIP INCLD
• heavy-duty rad w/ 20 qt US coolant capacity (21 qt US w/ heater) • extra-cooling high-speed fan
• diaphragm-type mech fuel pump w/ vacuum-booster to wipers • large low-restriction oil-bath air cleaner
• heavy-duty 11" clutch (Conv Dr or OD) • large fluid capacity Fordomatic Dr 10.25 qt US
• dual exhaust • reg fuel use
MAINLINE & CUSTONLINE
• heavy-duty front coil & rear leaf springs • special brake linings
• rear gear rations (to 1) Conv Dr 3.73, Overdrive 3.92, & Fordomatic Dr 3.54 (opt 3.31)
• "312 Cubic Inch High Power Engine Kit" 260-hp (here), Conv Dr or Overdrive late model-year
Special-order high-performance parts to modify the V-8 312-cid eng for police, NASCAR, Thunderbird, & public
• Ford Kit #B6A-9000-B K3 $315 Jul 6, 1956; surplus reduced to $100 Feb 4, 1957, as is, subject to prior sale
• Ford Thunderbird Kits #B6A-9000-B K3 plus #B6A-9000-B K4 [price not found by editor]
Production 103 kits supplied in wooden crates not factory installed
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicle Clutches
(w/ Conv Dr & Overdrive)
• 9-1/2-inch w/ Ford I-6
• 10-inch w/ Ford V-8 & Special Police Y-8
• 11-inch w/ (Police) Interceptor Y-8
Pedal free-travel 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inch
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicle Transmissions
● Std Conventional Drive (manual 3-speed)
1st, 2nd (synchro), 3rd (synchro), & Reverse
All-helical gears, forged bronze synchronizers
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
● Opt Overdrive (manual 3-speed w/ auto planetary 4th-spd Overdrive)
1st, 2nd (synchro), 3rd (synchro), auto 4th gear (30% lower eng rpm than 3rd), & Reverse
Gear selector on steering column, "H" pattern
Overdrive push/pull T-handle below instrument panel
Lock-in (engage OD) push in T-handle when car is stopped or at any speed & let-up throttle pedal when above 27-28 mph, (auto disengage & downshift to 3rd below 21-22 mph)
Kick-down (to 3rd, for hill climbing or passing) floor throttle pedal, (let-up pedal to auto return to OD)
Lock-out (disengage OD) pull out T-handle when car is stopped or in "kick down (3rd) operation
Overdrive push/pull T-handle below instrument panel
Lock-in (engage OD) push in T-handle when car is stopped or at any speed & let-up throttle pedal when above 27-28 mph, (auto disengage & downshift to 3rd below 21-22 mph)
Kick-down (to 3rd, for hill climbing or passing) floor throttle pedal, (let-up pedal to auto return to OD)
Lock-out (disengage OD) pull out T-handle when car is stopped or in "kick down (3rd) operation
● Opt Speed-Trigger Fordomatic Drive (automatic 3-speed)
Low (1st), Intermediate (2nd, Passing Gear), High (3rd), & Reverse
5-Possition Safety-Sequence Selector w/ illuminated indicator dial on steering column
P (Park)
R (Reverse)
N (Neutral) car can be towed up to 12 miles at under 40 mph, otherwise with rear wheels raised
• start engine
DR (Drive)
• start-out in 2nd & auto upshift to 3rd (typical driving)
• start-out at full-throttle in 1st (Speed-Trigger) & auto up-shifts to 2nd (30 mph) & 3rd (65 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to Passing Gear (2nd) (below 65-68 mph & above 17-23 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to 1st (below 17-23 mph)
LO (Low)
• start-out in 1st & hold (up to 35 mph), auto up-shifts to 2nd & 3rd if/when DR selected
• downshift to 2nd & hold (below 60 mph & above 17-23 mph - engine braking)
• downshift to 1st & hold (below 17-23 mph - engine braking)
P (Park)
R (Reverse)
N (Neutral) car can be towed up to 12 miles at under 40 mph, otherwise with rear wheels raised
• start engine
DR (Drive)
• start-out in 2nd & auto upshift to 3rd (typical driving)
• start-out at full-throttle in 1st (Speed-Trigger) & auto up-shifts to 2nd (30 mph) & 3rd (65 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to Passing Gear (2nd) (below 65-68 mph & above 17-23 mph)
• full-throttle kick-down to 1st (below 17-23 mph)
LO (Low)
• start-out in 1st & hold (up to 35 mph), auto up-shifts to 2nd & 3rd if/when DR selected
• downshift to 2nd & hold (below 60 mph & above 17-23 mph - engine braking)
• downshift to 1st & hold (below 17-23 mph - engine braking)
View "Shifting Gears" Owner's Manual
1956 Ford police car parade
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicle Rear Axle Ratios (to 1)
Mainline & Customline Ford I-6
• Std Conv Dr - 3:89 (opt 4.11) (incld)
• Opt Overdrive - 4.11 (opt 3.89)
• Opt Speed-Trigger Fordomatic Dr - 3.22 (opt 3.55)
Mainline & Customline Ford V-8 & Special Police Y-8
• Std Conv Dr - 3:78 (opt 3.89) (incld)
• Opt Overdrive - 3.89 (opt 3.78)
• Opt Speed-Trigger Fordomatic Dr - 3.22 (opt 3.55)
Mainline & Customline (Police) Interceptor Y-8
• Std Conv Dr - 3:73 (opt none) (incld)
• Opt Overdrive - 3.92 (opt none)
• Opt Speed-Tigger Fordomatic Dr - 3.54 (opt 3.31)
station wagon Ford I-6, Special Police Y-8, & (Police) Interceptor Y-8
• Std Conv Dr - 4.09 (opt 4.27) (incld)
• Opt Overdrive - 4.27 (opt none)
• Opt Speed-Trigger Fordomatic Dr - 3.54 (opt none)
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicle Body
1956 Ford Police & Emergency Vehicle Tires
Mainline & Customline
• Std 6.70 x 15" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless (incld)
• Opt 6.70 x 15" bias 6-ply bsw tubeless
• Opt 7.10 x 15" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless
• Opt 6.00 x 16" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless
• Opt 6.00 x 16" bias 6-ply bsw tubeless
Ranch Wagon, Custom Ranch Wagon, & 6-Pass Country Sedan
• Std 6.70 x 15" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless (incld)
• Opt 6.70 x 15" bias 6-ply bsw tubeless
• Opt 7.10 x 15" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless
8-Pass Country Sedan
• Std 7.10 x 15" bias 4-ply bsw tubeless (incld)
• Opt 7.10 x 15" bias 6-ply bsw tubeless
Opt Tubes tube prices not found
Opt White Sidewalls +$50
The Ford Times is a promotional magazine that was published monthly by the Ford Motor Company, from April 1908 to April 1917 and again from 1943 until January 1993. It contains period stories and illustrations about sport, vacation, and historic-interest destinations, as well as Ford vehicles. It was for Ford customers, compliments of local Ford dealerships. Wikipedia. Copies can be viewed at Hathi Trust Digital Library.1950's and 60's Ford Times often feature superb, full-color, watercolor illustrations by artists of the time. Covers are typically by Charley Harper (view Ford Times Prints and paintings), and Henry E. McDaniel (view paintings).
Volume 48, no. 5, May 1956, displays cover art by James Green (view paintings), and includes the article "Ford Interceptors Patrol Los Angeles Freeways" about Ford police cars with the new, powerful Interceptor V-8 engine.
