The 1956 Ford Thunderbird shown here on ebay is priced about half what these cars typically go for. It’s bid to $15,800 with a couple of days left in an auction that ends Monday evening. The reserve is not met, so you’re not going to get it for one bid over the current one, apparently, but this makes me wonder—why so cheap? In any case, if someone pries this car out of the current owner’s hands, that person will need to hitchhike to Roanoke, Texas to drive this one off into the sunset.
Why hitchhike? Because this really does seem like a “get here, drive home” situation. The Thunderbird pictured is not what you think. It’s got a 1991 Mustang 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, which runs on fuel injection. This allows it to cruise at 75mph, “smooth as glass” and “like a dream.” No more hard starting due to old-school induction, just get in and drive! The only problem with that is that sooner or later, you’re going to need repairs, and it might be hard to find someone who wants to tackle someone else’s engineering. On the other hand, the Mustang 5.0 is everywhere, nothing is unavailable for it, and heck—if you want to run into trouble, try finding a mechanic who wants to work on old cars. Most shops in my area just flatly refuse. Too much money comes driving onto the lot in the form of late-models that need repair.
So what should you make of this? If you don’t care about collectible value, or if you can get this car at a nice discount compared to a stock resto version, the modern engine and power steering and brakes setup is tempting. At least you can give the technicians who did the swap credit for their expertise. Just know that if you do cruise-ins, the curiosity factor of your fellow collectors will run thin kind of fast, and then you’re just sitting on a resto-mod. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially if you like the color of this one, sea-foam green with the complementing white top.
So what’s your taste? Do you want a stock engine or modern? Is the color of this car a slight clash interior to exterior (maybe from the factory)? How are you with the continental kit spare hanging off the back? Or is this one of those “it is what it is” cars, which will offer reliable fun and essentially looks super-clean on both top- and bottom-side, and is thus worth a bid?
Great swap for someone interested in these cars. The fuel injected 5.0 is a reliable and bulletproof power plant. The AOD will be fine as long as the engine isn’t modded. 3.08 gears in the back would help this combo feel a little quicker
With the exception of the ’56’s spare tire the ’55s and ’56s were the best looking of all the T-birds in my mind. Good size, good engines and fun to drive.
No problem for me on the engine swap either.
AT LEAST IT’S GOT A FORD ENGINE IN IT! No BORING LS SWAP🤣 Too late for that one…Nice color, but what’s up with that interior? Did FORD really mix those two Greens or was this car Originally a different color? Or is the interior color off? Any of you Ford T-Bird guys know? I sure would like to know…Bet it’s a RIPPER with the Driver handling shifting duties of the Transmission 😎 glws
91 5.0 with Explorer upper/lower intakes – just like what I have in my Bronco.
If you can get this at reasonable price, get rid of that interior and either go black on white or all white. If possible (because I’ve looked at these and can’t figure how), also ditch the bumper mounted spare. And since it is all ready resto’d, figure how to fit a turbo onto that 5.0. Hotrod Garage demonstrated how incredibly you can wake up a 5.0 by doing that. Lastly, you might or might not have to do some mods to the tranny or rear end. But ultimately you would have a nice car for not so much $$.
The rear spare was added in 1956 by the factory to add some additional weight in the rear of the car. Evidently the rear of these were too light.
I got a chuckle out of this T-Bird. The reaction from many a Barn Finder to this or that written-up car is “if I got this car, the first thing I would do is (insert poster’s favorite engine swap).” Well, here is one which actually did have a logical engine swap.
I like it .
Though this ‘Bird will make Amos Minter shudder? I think it’s at least a Ford into Ford swap, and reasonably priced for someone who wants the look of a classic with modern reliability and engine parts availability.
The Continental Kit spare tire was added in 1956 because buyers complained of small trunk space. In 1957 the body was restyled to increase trunk space and the spare was moved back into the trunk.
It’s sold.. $23,650.
I met a guy who owned one of these in Oro Valley AZ last year after the local Saturday car show and I fell in love with it. I’m with JohnfromSC on the interior though, that was my first thought when I saw it. Personally I think the rear spare adds to the design rather than detracting from it though.. it ads a little panache.
Another write up without a full drivetrain decryption. It’s the first thing I look for and gives reason to continue, or not, reading.
I can’t be an outlier, can I?
My first thought when I saw the engine was that’s no 91 5.0, I’ve got one in my Mustang and the intake runners are from a later model. Then one of the posters says they’re from an Explorer. I’m curious now. What’s the advantage of those new runners and exhaust? Better breathing, more horses?
Yes, the Explorer intake flows better than the stock 5.0 Mustang stuff. However, it’s generally not a huge upgrade if the heads aren’t also updated.