1956 Ford Thunderbird

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 great driver that shows well, offering a great Thunderbird experience at the right price.

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 has been in the same family for decades and was given a pretty comprehensive cosmetic freshening a few years ago in its original code E Colonial White. 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 shines up well and while there are a few touch-ups here and there, that only means that it has been properly enjoyed because there's nothing worse than a car that has been sitting. Door gaps are good (a rarity in Baby Birds), and the fender skirts (which, oddly enough, were optional) fit well. Chrome, which is always a big part of any '50s car's appeal, is good to 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 code XB red and white interior is really the best choice with the Colonial White bodywork; 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 cockpit is enhanced by the door panels, which feature bright engine-turned inserts like the dash. With that big wrap-around windshield, a lot of T-Birds have baked dash pads, but this one looks quite good and the original speedometer uses a Plexiglas window on the back to really light things up. It also offers power windows, a power seat, and a Town & Country AM radio, although it's not currently operational. On the other hand, all the gauges work and the white convertible top stows easily behind the seat. Ford moved the spare tire outside the trunk to answer complaints about a lack of space, and this car features a replacement mat and a jack assembly.

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 pulled in September 2014 and examined and had a new rear main seal installed, but everything was in great shape, so they buttoned it back up, detailed it thoroughly and dropped it back into place. It starts easily and runs well, and with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission 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 and enjoyed, of course, but no major trouble spots. Wide whitewall radials make a huge difference in performance and tuck neatly behind the skirts on original wheels.

Just a nice Thunderbird at the right price. You could spend more for a perfect one, but why? This one will make you smile every time you see it. Call today!