1956 Ford Thunderbird
This beautiful bird was a Texas car until it came north to CT back in 2004.
The couple that owned it took it out regularly to local shows putting roughly 4000 miles on it over the last 20 years, while that doesn't seem like a lot, it was driven multiple weekends each season but only about 200 miles as they lived in an area where most shows were only 10-30 miles away.
The couple got divorced and she got this car and soon after had knee surgery and since then hasn't been able to get in or out of the car. Aside from just starting and bringing up to temp, the car hasn't really been driven much in the last 3 or 4 years. In preparation for the sale, the oil was changed and all major systems checked. Everything checked out as OK.
Originally ordered in Colonial White over a red and white interior, in 1994 the car underwent a complete body off restoration, that included rebuilding the engine. The owner at that point decided to go with the Turquoise and White interior, which in my opinion, pops a lot more than the red and is seen less often.
The data tag tells us that this is a 312 powered car, with the Ford-O Matic 3 speed automatic transmission which means it puts out roughly 225 HP. It was built in Dearborne and sold out of Denver, CO.
The original equipment was pretty high falootin for the day. Aside from the 312 with a 4 bbl carb, this one came with power steering, Swift Sure Ford Power Brakes (4 wheel drum),
Ford -O - Matic 3 speed automatic transmission, 4 way power seat, power windows and air conditioning. All of which work as they should. The AC blows cool/cold air but not frigid.
With only 8000 miles on everything since the restoration, most everything is in great condition. The odometer shows 81,000 miles
The chrome shines very nicely, some minor polishing marks can be seen. The Colonial White paint is also in very good condition with a great shine. There are several nicks/chips, most of which have been touched up. Under the hood is clean. The interior is in very good condition and really pops against the white exterior.
Pump the gas a couple times, make sure she's in N, turn the key and she fires right to life with a nice dual exhaust rumble. Shift into drive and the automatic shifts propel you smoothly forward and with a little extra application of the right shoe, the throaty exhaust note greets your ears and the 312 pushes you firmly back into the seat.
The lights work, horn works, seat moves as it should, as do the power windows, wipers work (they're vacuum, so they can be slow if only idling along), the right blinker is temperamental, might need a blinker or the contacts cleaned a bit.
Drop down and peer underneath her and you'll see a clean under carriage that is rust free. It could use some detailing if you want to go deep into the show effort.
While the car did come from the factory with a soft top and hard top, somewhere along the way the soft top disappeared from the picture.
The tires are Firestone Deluxe Champion wide whites in 6.70x15. They're reproduction tires that are older but show no signs of any UV damage as they've been in a garage their entire life. Tread is excellent on them. Even so, they're better for local cruising, not sustained 70 MPH speeds.
Overall, the car presents very well and while it may not take home gold at a Thunderbird concours, it has garnered several plaques and trophies at those local shows, and will still turn heads like Suzanne Summers did in American Graffiti.
She runs and drives great ... as well as a 70 year old designed car will.
The asking price on this beautiful American icon is $32,500.
Any questions, for many more photos and video, to schedule a time to see her in person, or simply to make an offer, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for the interest!
