Vehicle Description
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
Ad men from the 1950's described the car using such terms as "A
Mink Coat for Father" or "Light of Hand" (referring to the ease of
handling and steering) and "6AM Thunderbird Time" featuring a
pristine Suburban Upper Middle Class House, a jacket and tie
husband leaving for work, passing the milkman on the way out as the
family's Irish setter watches his master leave for work.
Quintessential middle class success, but they had to work for
it.
A nice earlier restoration example, in rarely seen Sage Green with
a white convertible top and with a white hardtop and a porthole
window within it. Much attention to detail has been paid during
this earlier restoration, and it creates an excellent example of a
Ford classic with an engine dress up kit, and rare locking pins for
the porthole top. A multiple award winner at various shows and the
original bill of sale, this California black plate car, also throws
in the original owner's manual and lest we forget a booklet with
information about the car's heritage tracked down to the original
owner.
Exterior
Step in for a closer look to find all the details firmly in place
and ready to awe you. At the front, a stainless egg-crate grille
rides between clean headlights, a delicate header emblem and a
sculpted bumper that bends around peaked fenders. Between those
fenders, a classy hood scoop leads the eye to a wraparound
windshield that's reflected by dual chrome side view mirrors,
cleared by satin-finished wipers and framed by thick chrome trim.
When the weather stops being agreeable, a white canvas convertible
top comes to the rescue while complimenting the body color for a
striking look. There is also a matching white fiberglass hardtop
with this one, allowing you to enjoy this classic bird year round.
Below, sculpted door handles and stainless-trimmed fender skirts
perfectly complement chrome fender louvers, small Ford emblems and
glowing "Thunderbird" scripts that sit to the front of fender
vents. The 56 has arguably the most memorable rear view of all the
Thunderbirds with finned quarters capped by pointed taillights.
This bird is accentuated by a Continental rear bumper with an extra
bump out that houses a metal covered chrome banded and center
chrome capped spare tire holder. Paint overall is in good
condition, but some areas of the beginnings of bubbling are seen
throughout. Gaps are nicely minded, and fender skirts frame Ford
badged center capped wire chromed wheels on the back and these are
also in front.
Interior
Dramatic styling was king in the 1950s and it certainly didn't stop
on the outside. Between the doors of this Ford, a pleated Sage
Green, and white vinyl are amazing in this interior, along with
plenty of mixing in of stainless steel panels offers seating for
two with plenty of period-correct charm. Nicely aged door sill
plates clamp the corners of clean Sage Green carpet. In the center,
a chrome shifter extends through the floor, free of any type of
console. Seating is provided by a pleated white insert bench seat
with Sage Green bolsters which show beautifully. At either side,
matching door panels are dressed with attractive spin pattern
aluminum pieces as well bright window cranks and door pulls. The
dash in its padded glory, comes at you with its curved shape, and
is covered in crack free green vinyl. The factory gauges monitor
fuel, rpm, speed, temperature, and time from within a spin
patterned aluminum bezel that looks great amidst the green painted
surfaces of this dash, which neatly curves around and greets the
door panels. Chrome pull knobs control accessories like lights and
wipers while the Town and Country radio provides all the
entertainment needed. In front of the driver, a nice green steering
wheel extends forward, offering control over the front wheels. A
lift of the rear deck lid we find solid pans beneath a correct
plaid floor mat, and no rust here, and a neatly placed color
correct spare tire in the very center of this space.
Drivetrain
Tilt the lightweight hood forward to find one of Ford's overhead
valve 312ci V8s. Factory heads topped with original valve covers,
casted "Thunderbird" and horizontal ribs frame a factory intake,
while a shiny chromed air cleaner assembly tops the 4-barrel
carburetor. This nicely restored engine dress up kit adorned mill
has a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, and a 3.31 rear
axle setup. All looking just fabulous under this forward flipping
hood.
Undercarriage
The original X frame structure is strong and true, with no surface
rust and presenting as the suspension and drivetrain undercarriage
parts, in shiny black. All this is framed by pristine rust free
matte black floorpans and rockers. Independent coil springs for the
front suspension, and leaf springs for the rear, are on as
originally built, as are 4 wheel power drum brakes.
Drive-Ability
A slip inside the 50's styling and we are wrapped in green, white
and stainless heaven. This car started easily and ran very
smoothly. It corners without creaks or rattles and has snappy
acceleration. A very nice cruiser for this AACA Junior and Senior
award-winning car.
This beautiful bird with a hardtop and soft top shows well for its
age. A few minor under paint faults certainly do not detract from
its awesome 1956 design, a favorite among T-Bird collectors. If you
are into having a 1 car parade down main street when you go to pick
up the dry cleaning, then this very nice restoration is to be
considered. Look at it as a green and white mink coat for
father!
VIN DECODE
P6FH325580
P-312ci V8 4bbl 225hp
6-1956
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
325580-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR Z-Sage Green (Thunderbird Green)
TRIM XF-Green & White
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
