Vehicle Description
There is something special about a classic car that has been driven
fairly routinely over the years. Its like a person staying active
as we age. It keeps things moving more freely and is good for our
soul. This '56 T-Bird has felt the sunshine and brought joy to its
owners throughout its life. It has also seen good routine
maintenance along the way and is looking for its next lucky
owner.
Being the first of the Thunderbirds puts this car in a special
place of automotive history. It was never intended to be considered
a "sportscar", but rather a personal car with a sporting nature and
they hit the nail on the head. The Coral Red paint on this car is a
mid-life respray of the factory original color and is still in good
condition. One feature that is unique to the '56, is the
Continental Spare tire treatment at the rear. Of-course there are
those stylish tailfins and round taillights as well as rear wheel
well spats adding some flair too. You can also drop on the
removable hardtop with the classic Opera window if you like either
for cool weather motoring or just for fun. The view from the front
is classic too with the oval chrome grill flanked by single
headlights perched high on the front fenders along with a
Thunderbird emblem in the center and a substantial chrome bumper
underlining it all.
Open the door, or just have a look inside if the white convertible
roof is down, and you will find a Fiesta Red and Ivory interior
that is also the factory original color for the car and a beautiful
compliment to the Coral Red paint. The door panel is pleated in
ivory with a machine turned panel just above a long red armrest. A
three-spoke steering wheel has a chrome horn ring running most of
the way around it. The dash board has a central mounted speedometer
with fuel and temp gauges below it while the tachometer and a clock
flank it in their own round pods on either side. A machine turned
panel runs across the center of the dash and contains the control
knobs for the lights and ventilation system which includes air
conditioning. The factory AM radio with both Town and Country
settings sits in the middle just below a Thunderbird badge on the
upper dash pad and above the shifter for the automatic transmission
mounted in the floor.
Pop the hood and you will find a couple nice features that were
added to the '56 year-model cars. Those would be the 312 cubic inch
engine, and a 12-volt electrical system. The 312 upped the
horsepower to 225 when matched with the 3-speed automatic
transmission, and the 12-volt electrical system made for easier
starting as well as better lighting and improved visibility. This
is the original drivetrain in the car and there are signs of that
like the valve cover decals that have a survivor patina to them.
There is a unique air filter housing designed to capture fresh air
from the hood scoop and signs of good regular maintenance. The
chassis received a fresh set of shocks both front and rear as well
as new sway bar links and bushings. The car rides on 205/75R15
white wall tires all around mounted on red steel wheels with chrome
hub caps.
Come on down and check this car out. If you are the one to keep its
wheels turning, it would be good for the car, and good for your
soul.