From introduction for 1955, Ford’s original two-seat Thunderbird was a strong sales success in contrast to archrival Chevrolet’s relatively slow-selling Corvette. For the Thunderbird’s sophomore 1956 model year, it was selectively updated with “porthole” quarter-windows added to the removable auxiliary hardtop, the spare wheel/tire was repositioned with an external “Continental” kit, and a larger new 312 CI “Thunderbird Special” V-8 engine was available. Retaining its originally specified colors including Code A Raven Black paint and Code XB Red and White two-tone vinyl upholstery, this 1956 Ford Thunderbird is powered by a 312 cubic-inch V-8 engine, factory-rated at 215 horsepower and mated to a rare floor-shifted 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Sporting excellent, glossy paint, an excellent interior, and very good chrome and bright trim, the Thunderbird is handsomely complemented by a White canvas convertible top, a Red boot cover, and Red loop-pile carpeting. Other highlights include power windows, a Town and Country AM radio, a dash-mounted tachometer and in-dash trunk, and steel wheels with chrome wire-basket wheel covers and Whitewall tires. The powerful 312 cubic-inch V-8 engine features an OEM-type engine dress-up kit including a chrome air cleaner and cast aluminum rocker covers. The engine and surrounding engine compartment are in clean and highly correct order, including the Ford “Rotunda” windshield-washer fluid bag. A reprinted 1956 Ford Thunderbird handbook is included with the sale of this highly attractive and well equipped example of the original, two-seater Thunderbird. Canadian tax is not applicable.
