**THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SELLING ON AN UPCOMING BRING-A-TRAILER ONLINE AUCTION. ONCE THE DATES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IT WILL BE UPDATED HERE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PLEASE REGISTER DIRECTLY WITH BRING-A-TRAILER TO BID. IT'S A QUICK AND SIMPLE PROCESS. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.**
This legendary 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible will be selling on an upcoming Bring a Trailer online auction. Auction dates will be announced soon—interested buyers should register directly with Bring a Trailer to bid.
MS CLASSIC CARS is incredibly proud to present the first factory-restored 1956 Thunderbird ever offered from our collection—and without question, one of the most historically significant first-generation Thunderbirds in existence.
This is the famous Crockett’s Alamo Airways “Crash Wagon”, a matching-numbers Thunderbird with an extraordinary story. Originally purchased new by George and Peg Crockett, founders of Alamo Airways in Las Vegas, this car served as a high-speed airport support vehicle. Most notably, it was credited with saving 44 lives after a TWA flight crashed during takeoff when Crockett raced across the tarmac and extinguished the fire.
Even more incredible, this Thunderbird played a direct role in aviation history. In 1958 it helped support a Cessna 172 endurance flight, keeping the plane fueled for 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes—a Guinness World Record that still stands today. A photo of the airplane and this very Thunderbird appears in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Finished in its original Fiesta Red with a Red & White interior, this Thunderbird was built May 14, 1956 in Dearborn, MI and is highly optioned with both tops, power steering, power brakes, power windows, 4-way power seat, Ford-O-Matic transmission, engine dress-up kit, wire wheels, Continental Kit, and more.
Formerly owned by the Howard Hughes Tool Company, this car still retains its original Hughes property tag on the firewall. It later underwent a show-quality restoration using many NOS parts and has since been featured in multiple publications including Hemmings. A replica now resides at the Las Vegas airport—this is the real car.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a true automotive and aviation icon.
Read more on www.msclassiccars.com
