Vehicle Description
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird is one of those designs that never goes
out of style, and remains an instantly-identifiable icon of the
50s. Beautifully styled, comfortable, and with enough performance
to keep almost any gearhead happy, they are perhaps the best
combination of early styling and functionality.
This beautiful Fiesta Red example received a quality restoration in
2002 and still looks great. Code K Fiesta Red is this car's
original color and it's particularly handsome on the '56
Thunderbird. Solving some of 1955's problems, the spare tire was
moved out to the rear bumper to improve trunk space and
simultaneously gave the 'Bird a long, lean look that is easy to
recognize from a distance. Up close, this is a nice 'Bird, and even
though it has been driven over the past few years, it still
presents quite well, which speaks highly of the restoration work.
Fit and finish are good and thanks to modern paint materials, the
shine is far deeper than the original lacquer might have been.
Chrome and brightwork are dazzling, from the egg crate grille up
front to the unique rear bumper with the exhaust ports in the
outside corners. And yes, the fender skirts fit well and there are
no signs of trouble in that area, a common problem for early
T-Birds.
Code XB red and white is the car's original interior and it was
accurately re-created when the car was restored. The red is almost
exactly the same color as the body, making for a spectacular look
that makes people stop in their tracks when they see it. The
engine-turned panel that runs across the door panels and dash is
like jewelry, and the seat cover design makes the bench feel like
separate buckets. There are none of the usual (and sometimes
questionable) upgrades that many early 'Birds have these days, and
even the original Town & Country AM radio is still in the dash. The
only notable exception is an aftermarket cup holder setup on the
transmission tunnel, but it comes right out for shows so nobody
will notice. It also comes with a matching red porthole hardtop as
well as a white vinyl convertible top, just in case. And thanks to
the spare tire moving out onto the bumper, there's a good-sized
trunk with a correct rubber mat.
Powering all Thunderbirds in 1956 was Ford's Y-block V8 engine, now
displacing 312 cubic inches and generating an impressive 225
horsepower thanks to a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. The
engine bay was detailed when it was restored and while it shows a
few signs of use today, the engine runs even better than it looks.
From the Ford Red paint on the block to the beautiful cast aluminum
Thunderbird valve covers with simulated turquoise inlays, it looks
every bit the part of Ford's personal/luxury car. The undercarriage
is clean and solid with no surprises, with optional power brakes
plus a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission and a 9-inch
rear end with 3.00 gears inside. The exhaust features both
original-0style mufflers and a set of resonators, so it has the
right OEM sound that never gets annoying. Standard 15-inch steel
wheels with chrome hubcaps are wrapped in modern whitewall radials
so it rides and handles better than most of its siblings.
These Thunderbirds are wonderful performers on the road, and are
just as fun to drive today as they were in 1956. If you've been
searching for a quality 'Bird with no stories, you've just found
it. Call today!