Vehicle Description
1956 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
The Thunderbird and the Corvette have a long and sorted history,
with both initially competing for the same customer space.
Eventually the Corvette went to racing, and the Thunderbird became
the boulevard king. The ultimate getaway car from the kids with
only 2 seats, as well as the option to have a hardtop traveler, or
a convertible cruiser, it became the "it" car for mid-1950's
suburbia.
If you're looking for a sweet 50s-era classic that's valuable, fun
to drive and has the ability to turn Main Street into an instant
classic car show then this is "it" for you. Found stored away for
who knows how long in a barn in 1999, now rescued and in need of
some TLC. An all Flamingo Pink exterior with white and red and
white interior, you will think you are driving down the street in a
pink tuxedo! Oh, don't forget we will be bringing up the rear with
that Continental rear bumper complete with covered rear tire.
Swanky.
Exterior
Flamingo pink covers the entire bodywork and hardtop, which has
scratches, dents and dings, and surface rust showing through the
paint in various areas. A Continental kit is on the rear, which
shows some similar rust and paint chip off. Chrome and brite work
are noteworthy in that they too have some early signs of rust, and
dimpling. Most of the rust damage is on the rear cowl just before
the trunk, and the rockers are suffering from invasive rust. Atop
the hood is a scoop with chromed intake peeks out from the top, and
adds flair to the long hood. Front bumper is straight and true,
with some chrome wear off and slight signs of rust. Two mini
dagmars are attached in front of a smiling grille which was
inspired by Ferrari. On the rear, small fins sprout from the rear
quarter panels, and end at the large, chromed Continental bumper,
and body matching tire cover. Wide white sidewall tires wrap dish
style wheel coverings that have a Ford badge in the center. Fender
skirts with chrome accents adorn the rear and add to the "thin
body" look of this car. The hardtop top sports a porthole window.
Sadly, the convertible soft top is not with the car nor is the vast
majority of its framework.
Interior
A nice but showing as an older restored interior begins with a
bench seat with white vertical tuck and roll inserts surrounded by
smooth red vinyl bolsters. This motif creates the illusion of 2
seats, when in fact there is just one. Seat belts have been added
to the driver's side only. Door panels are draped with machined
aluminum and white tuck and roll horizontal vinyl and are in fair
to good condition. The red topped dash has the machined aluminum as
well, in a swirl pattern, and houses a Town and Country radio.
Gauge cluster is neat and clean and is fronted by an original
steering wheel. A tachometer and clock have been molded into this
dash and flank both sides of the arched speedometer. The floor
shifter resides in a sea of good condition deep red carpeting, with
nicely stitched Thunderbird logo floor mats. The headliner in the
hardtop is also in good condition.
Drivetrain
A 312ci V8 mill sits nicely in an unrestored original looking
engine bay. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor which hides
under a chromed flying saucer style air cleaner covering and
chromed air cleaner cover. Other highlights include Thunderbird
logo emblazoned valve covers, solid rubber hoses, and a nicely
patina engine block in red. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission is
attached, and a Dana 44 3.31 rear axle is spinning the rear
wheels.
Undercarriage
Some heavy surface rust is encrusting the suspension and driveshaft
as well as the rear axle. The X frame is involved with invasive
rust at the rockers, and the inside metal sheeting near the back of
the wheel wells is very rusted. Structural stability is in
question, but an expert can verify this. Drum brakes are all
around, and a dual stock exhaust is seen.
Drive-Ability
She lit right up with the turn of our key, and we were off. It
drives smoothly and the radio works but has no reception, and the
vacuum wipers are slow at best. The clock and horn were not
working. A good cruiser, and despite the exterior condition a
looker for sure.
Classic Auto Mall presents this barn find rescued in 1999, 1956
Thunderbird Flamingo pink classic. It will need some overall TLC on
the underside and a thorough sandblasting and fixing of the rust on
the body. It's all there though, continental rear bumper,
futuristic taillights, smiling grille, Dagmars, hood scoop, wrap
around windshield and two-tone interior. The soft top needs to be
put on, but in the meantime, you have that snazzy porthole window
hardtop, which can be removed for open cockpit driving, nearly as
easy as getting the soft top down and getting it behind the rear
bench which can be a challenge.
VIN DECODE
P6FH286686
P-312ci V8 4bbl 225hp
6-1956
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
286686-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM XB-Red & 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.