1956 Ford

Thunderbird Roadster SOLD

SOLD

1956 Ford

Thunderbird Roadster

Description

1956 Ford Thunderbird Roadster 

The Ford Thunderbirds are truly one of the most collectible cars of the 1950's.  This '56 is a special survivor showing a mere 59,659 title verified miles and it is backed up by the amazing condition of the car!  As per the build sheet it has nearly every option available from 1956 including the Continental rear bumper and all power options, and a convertible top.  Bird is the word….

Exterior
Bathed in Sunset Coral, this car was purchased off the dealer lot in Hollywood Florida in January of 1956.  The body panels are showing some underlying rust, mostly in the rocker wheel well areas.  Also there is peeling of paint, and some cracking where previous repair efforts have dried out and are now showing.  I'll call it an earlier restoration which retains its shine but has its faults which can be seen in the close up photos.   An egg crate grille in elongated oval form is fronted by a dual all chrome “Dagmar” bumper below and a single round headlight with a body painted visor above on each edge.  Between the bumper and the headlights is a small round turn signal with a shiny bezel.  The stainless trimmings are framing the front wrap around windshield and are nearly perfect.  This car comes with its factory Colonial White painted  hard top.  The build sheet says it has a convertible top, but for some reason it is not photographed so I cannot tell you about it.  A hood scoop, some quarter panel venting and the round button door handle are just a few of the mid 1950's design highlights that are on this car.  It is equipped with a continental rear bumper with the encased spare tire coming along for the ride which is chromed and body matching coral.  Tastefully finned rear quarters culminate in a “flame” shaped backup light topping round jet engine like rear tail lights.  The exhaust is of the through the rear bumper design and exits are shown on the 45 degree angle at each rear corner.  Turbine style and dog dish centered chromed wheel coverings and thin whitewall radial tires,  which look very much like the original bias ply tires that came from the factory are on.  A very snazzy yet refined design…. No wonder it outsold the Corvette!

Interior
A black bench stretches across the passenger compartment.  It is covered in shiny vinyl and has puffy black bolsters and upper back surrounds with black tuck and roll inserts.  It is a power actuated bench.  The door panels it stretches between are black smooth vinyl on the lowers, black vinyl for elongated armrest and sills and a middle panel that houses the armrest, power seat toggles, power window toggles and door actuators which is within a machined swirl pattern aluminum. This machined swirl pattern aluminum continues through the center of the dash where some futuristic knobs, pulls and the factor retro AM town and country radio is located.  The top of the dash is padded black vinyl and in front of the driver is a nice fan design speedometer, flanked on either side by a round tachometer and clock on the other side.  Underneath the speedometer fan is a horizontal panel with gauges to keep track of other vitals and fuel level.  The large original steering wheel is within this interior and fronting the dash.  On the center of the hump in a sea of somewhat faded but original black carpeting is the automatic floor shifter with a black ball topper.  This car is not optioned with seat belts.  Classic yet futuristic for this interior, and certainly worn so I will put it firmly into fair to good condition overall.  In back of the seat, I cannot see a convertible top or the framing of said structure.  Just the power seat actuator bar.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood, and you will be met with a very clean slightly patinaed engine bay in black.  Within its confines is a 312ci V8 from the factory and is topped by a single 4-barrel carburetor.  A beautiful chromed air cleaner cover tops off the package and a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission is bolted to the back.  Out back the rear axle is a Dana 44 with 3.31 gears.  This has the factory engine dress up package with the chromed valve valve coverings and the chromed flying saucer-esque air cleaner covering.  The wipers are vacuum and you'll have some fun with this in the winter!!

Undercarriage
The underside views on this car show extensive surface rust, corrosion and patina.  I can see invasive rust within the inner fenders, near the edges of the wheel wells, and some slight occurrence on the door bottoms.  The X frame is sturdy with no signs of any damage, just plenty of surface rust and road dirt with corrosion.  Dual exhaust, independent coil spring front suspension with power steering and power drum brakes are noted.  And for the back, power drum brakes and leaf springs. 

Drive-Ability
Starting out it ran rough and as it warmed up remained rough, so I'm attributing it to bad fuel?  It runs quietly yet rough, has smooth shifting and steering is done with ease.  The power windows and seat all are in working condition.  The heater blower is inoperable, the clock does not tick away time, and the radio is silent.

An earlier restoration now with some cosmetic faults from age and the weather up north where it has resided for several years.  Wonderful design giving us a “mink coat for father”.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

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Specs

Basic

Year
1956
Make
Ford
Model
Thunderbird
Sub Model
Roadster
Miles
59,659
Vin
P6FH190704
Stock
4891

Engine

Engine Size
312 V8
Fuel Specification
91 Octane or below
Engine Type
Gasoline
Transmission Type
3 Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
RWD

Body

Body Color
Sunset Coral
Body Style
Roadster
Doors
2

Interior

Interior Color
Black
Seating Type
Bench
Seat Material
Vinyl
Shifter Type
Floor

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