Vehicle Description
Two-seater Thunderbirds have been a staple of the hobby since,
well, the very beginning. The appeal of cars like this '56
Thunderbird is easy to understand: V8 power, a carefree attitude, a
top that goes down, and lots of style. This is a spectacular car in
a rare color with some nice upgrades, offering a great Thunderbird
experience that will stop traffic everywhere you go.
Admittedly, Thunderbirds are popular cars and there are a lot of
them for sale at any given moment, but if you've looked at them,
you already know that good ones are sometimes tough to find. This
one is absolutely spectacular in every way, starting with the rare
Peacock Blue finish that really stands out. For many, the '56s are
a favorite with numerous upgrades over the '55s, a continental kit,
and a purer look than the '57s, and there's nobody who doesn't
smile when they see this little convertible coming. The paint is
just gorgeous, and aside from a chip near the hood scoop, we can't
find many flaws to mention; someone spent a ton of time and money
on this car and it shows. Door gaps are good, the hood sits flush
and the fender skirts (which, oddly enough, were optional) all fit
well, more evidence of expensive, careful work. Chrome, which is
always a big part of any '50s car's appeal, is excellent with the
rear bumper offering built-in exhaust ports in the outer corners.
Look it over carefully and you'll see that there is a lot to like
here.
The interior is not quite stock, but uses white "mega leather"
buckets that make for a spectacular presentation; after all, the
idea behind the Thunderbird isn't to keep a low profile. The seats
and carpets were restored a few years ago and show minimal wear and
the wrap-around feeling of the lightly customized cockpit is
enhanced by the door panels, which feature bright engine-turned
inserts like the dash. There's a custom center console with cup
holders and an armrest, as well as a nicely integrated set of
gauges and power window switches. A/C was added with discreet vents
under the dash and a custom control panel in place of the factory
heater controls. The white hardtop is removable, of course, but we
really like the way the top looks against the vivid blue paint.
Ford moved the spare tire outside the trunk to answer complaints
about a lack of space, and this car's trunk is nicely finished with
black carpets and custom side panels that match the interior.
With 312 cubic inches and a 4-barrel carburetor, Ford's Y-block V8
is a perfect companion to the open air experience. It's smooth,
torquey, and generally unobtrusive, doing what you want without
ever seeming to work hard. This one was fully rebuilt about 1700
miles ago with a mild camshaft inside, as well as an electronic
ignition to light it up. Breathing through a 4-barrel carburetor,
it starts easily and runs well, and with a Ford-O-Matic automatic
transmission, power brakes, and power steering, it's just a
pleasure to drive. It's quite well detailed with proper Ford Red
paint on the block, a dress-up kit, and nicely finished exhaust
manifolds that really make a big difference. The chassis shows
signs of having been driven, of course, but no major trouble spots
the exhaust sounds muscular without being annoying. Spectacular
chrome wire wheels really make the car and carry 205/75/15 wide
whitewall radials.
A stunning car that's sorted and ready to enjoy, this Thunderbird
stands out because it gives you more of everything that makes
Thunderbirds so popular. Call today!