The first Thunderbirds were 2-seat personal luxury cars that would change several times through 1997, and then be resurrected briefly in the early 2000s. A white 1956 T-Bird was driven by Suzanne Somers in various scenes of the famous teen movie American Graffiti which was set in 1962. Although physically similar, the Ford would beat the Corvette in the sales department during its first generation (1955-57). This ‘Bird from the car’s second year of production needs a complete restoration, including the engine which is stuck from sitting. It’s available in Annapolis, Maryland and here on craigslist for $10,000.
After more than 45 years in production, the Thunderbird would see more than 4.4 million copies roll out of Ford’s factories. Few nameplates have had that kind of success and longevity. The first group, as a two-seater car, would see assembles of just over 53,000 units. Not bad, but Ford thought they could do better if the car had a back seat, for it became a 4-seater in 1958 – and sales did improve. That left the 1955-57 editions to become immortal with collectors. This ’56 T-Bird comes with both hard and soft tops, with the hardtop gaining portholes that year. Ford would build a little over 15,600 Thunderbirds that year, just slightly less than the introductory model.
The seller’s car has been dormant for some time and doesn’t run, but at least its hibernation has been mostly indoors. We’re told the car was built late in the 1956 model run and was painted blue when it left the plant, whereas it looks to have been converted to gold along the way. Rust seems to ne minimal with a couple of small spots on the body and another hole in the top of the hood (maybe something leaked on it). While there is no front bumper shown on the car, the seller thinks he has a core to go with it.
In 1956, you had your choice of either a 292 or 312 cubic inch V8 which had a horsepower range between 200 and 260, all fitted with a 4-barrel carburetor, and also dependent on transmission choices. We don’t know which engine is in the seller’s car, but it has several older performance upgrades like a Mallory distributor and coil and aftermarket air cleaner. This T-Bird has a manual transmission, which should be a floor-shifted 3-speed. As an extra, the car can be sold with a Continental kit for $1,000 extra. Although it was available for the first time in 1956, this kit is not original to the car, is said to be nearly complete, and was shaved. The seller says the gas door was filled in on the deck lid, so how do you put fuel in it?
We’re told the previous owner bought this car in 1965, but we don’t know when the seller acquired it, recently or long ago. The seller is open to delivering the vehicle, depending on how the negotiations go. Otherwise, bring a trailer and a bunch of cash with you. Hagerty pinpoints the resale value of these cars at $15,000 in Fair condition (sounds almost like the seller’s car) to $70,000 for Concours. Besides the body and motor work, the interior looks to need a complete makeover, so you might have to spend most of the spread bringing this one back to show quality. But that would put another slice of Americana back on the road! Thanks, Jay L., for the tip!
Tired, very Tired
Might be a good buy because the two tops are almost worth that much. But with the cost of restoring one you’re probably better off buying a finished one.
I know it’s got two tops, but I’d be more worried about the bottom.
Thanks for finding my car! Click on the CL link, I think I worded it a little better, and no I didn’t call that air cleaner a performance part. Come take a look, it needs a home. I have another 56 tagged and on the road and wont be restoring this one.
In the after market category, that Holley 4bbl isn’t factory, either. I’d lose the 3 speed, to a 4 or even a 5 speed, paint it a light color, and cruise it ’til the wheels fell off…
That Holley 4 barrel was factory for the 57 Birds. Might indicate a 312 ?
That Holley looks like it might be a 4160. I thought early birds came from the factory with a ‘teapot’ Holley.
I’m not sure how the seller can justify the price in that condition.
And another car with wheels and tires and they couldn’t pull it out of the garage to take some decent pictures. ISMH
Is that a 28 or 29 Ford panel van in the background of the 1st shot?
Fair Condition? A non runner with a frozen engine missing lots of parts? I see about 15k needed to bring it up to “fair” maybe more. Still it might be fun if you like a challenge have the skills and can do a lot of the work yourself. Its just that there are so many out there for sale running, driving and at least presentable that the business case will never pencil out. I would let the seller keep his Continental kit but that just me. Never liked them GLWTS
You can buy a pretty nice driver quality one for around $25K.
Ohhhh, its in DC, every car I drove to DC to look at over the years was represented horribly, I have a trust issue with the representation of cars out of the region. The last car I drove to DC to look at was a Porsche 928, was told all sorts of things, was ready to buy until the guy pulled into the parking lot.
I thought all 1956 came with Continental Kits?
This car was advertised locally here in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) quite extensively on Facebook marketplace before the COVID19 thing took everything away last year. I never had a chance to check it out at that time. Same pics were used then, except this is the first engine shot I’ve seen. I also seem to remember a peek at one of the wheels which suggested a (genuine?) Halibrand-style mag wheel. My question is….that floor shifter is for a four-speed Ford transmission. The old ’55-’57 factory floor shift did not have the reverse lockout ‘T’ device. Any thoughts or more info from the seller???
That shifter looks like a 4 speed with R lock out — no grill and maybe no front bumper – ruff shape – stuck engine – I’d offer $5-7000 and make it a driver – to far away for me.
The Continental kit was standard on a 56 Thunderbird!!
If you can doo ALL the restoration work your self go for it. If you have to have a shop do the restoration, walk away.
I’ve been following the asking prices of project 55-56’s for quite awhile. I’m with Steve, above…. thinking 5-7….
5-7 or considerably less.
im with jerry and bob i used to restore these. spendy!!
I have a 56 baby bird that I just restored this past year and this car is worth far less than the asking price. It is in the neighborhood of 5k. Everything needs extensive work. The cars value is in it’s authenticity as a 56 bird and the steering wheel, gas door,and carb. are all modified but my guess would be much more than that. It sounds easy to say ” it just needs to be restored” but there would be tens of thousands to get it done.