Some enthusiasts possess greater self-control than me. If I were the owner of this 1956 Ford Thunderbird, I would not have been able to leave it parked in a garage in its current state since 1985. This classic deserves better and is set to find a new home. Hopefully, someone will grab this classic and return it to its former glory. The seller has listed the T-Bird here on eBay in Lynnwood, Washington. They set their auction to open at $5,000, but have received no bids. They also provide a BIN option of $9,999 for those who view this as an automotive must-have.
One of my favorite movies is American Graffiti, a rare film where the cars were almost bigger stars than the cast. Everyone remembers John Milner’s Yellow ’32 Ford Coupe, while many will have visions of the Colonial White ’56 Thunderbird driven by the mystery woman, played by Suzanne Somers. This T-Bird rolled off the line wearing the same shade, and a faithful restoration might be the logical choice for those wishing to recreate their slice of a 1970s cinematic classic. It is unclear when it underwent a color change to its current shade, but the evidence of peeling paint confirms that the work isn’t of a high standard. Therefore, and build will probably entail stripping the panels to bare metal. The factory hardtop is intact, as is much of the hardware for the soft-top. The trunk contains the fender skirts, and when you pull those factors together, the shopping list might not be long. The great unknown is the question of rust. There is visible heavy surface corrosion in some areas, but no evidence of steel penetration. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, and is something I would attempt to negotiate before committing the funds to this purchase. It appears that the trim is intact and that there are no glaring glass issues.
The Trim Tag confirms that the original owner ordered this Thunderbird trimmed in Code XA Black and White. Traces of the original trim are visible, although the interior’s tired state means a retrim would form part of this build. This is where shopping around can prove worthwhile. An interior upholstery kit will typically retail for around $1,500, although higher prices aren’t rare. However, a brief online search of one of the major auction sites revealed a shiny new complete kit in the correct colors for under $1,000. That seller purchased it for a restoration that never eventuated but has kept every component in its original wrapping. Therefore, such a purchase could save precious cash that could be directed towards another aspect of this restoration. This T-Bird retains its four-way power seat, along with the Town & Country radio.
The seller doesn’t claim outright that this Thunderbird is numbers-matching, although that is the impression provided in the listing. Its engine bay houses the optional 312ci Y-Block, teamed with an automatic transmission. Auto-equipped cars left the line with marginally more power and torque than those with a manual, meaning this engine would have generated 225hp and 324 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The seller confirms that this classic last saw service in 1985, but supplies no information about its mechanical health. The accumulated corrosion suggests the Y-Block hasn’t run for years, meaning that factoring rebuild costs into the restoration budget would be wise. The air cleaner assembly isn’t visible in this shot but is sitting in the trunk.
The 1956 Ford Thunderbird hasn’t been one of the stars of the classic market, with values dropping significantly during the past year, regardless of condition. Sadly, that trend shows no signs of slowing, but the market’s unpredictable nature means that the situation could change without warning. That suggests that performing a faithful high-end restoration might be financially questionable when it is possible to buy tidy examples for under $30,000, a factor that might cause some enthusiasts to turn their backs on this car. However, there are times when the classic ownership experience is about more than dollars and cents, which would probably be the case here. With those thoughts in mind, is this a classic that you would consider for your next project build?
this T-Bird with tiny bumpers and stubby fins looks more European than the ones with the continental kit and sharper edged styling. No doubt it would look better in the original Colonial white but that’s a lot of work. Not sure it’s worth it for what he’s asking.
You can only speculate it’s a 312 with out checking numbers, sometime in the early 80s my boss had a 57 T-Bird it smoked pretty bad,the local engine supplier had a 292 so guess what,we pulled the 312 and turned it in for core
This would be a fun fixer/driver. Love those valve covers!
It looks like it’s a 55 because it doesn’t have the vents between the door and the fender well. Unless I just can’t see the picture well enough. The top is from a 56, though.
Ops. NOW I see the vents. I think.
Dan, if ya look real close you can see the vents. Could make it a “survivor “ and cut costs. Engine rebuild would be biggest expense.
I’ll catch some grief for this, but it looks like a nice starting point for a light resto-mod, nothing crazy. Upgrades to the drivetrain and suspension, and mild interior upgrades.
Many people of a certain age will always associate this Ford with the refrain about Daddy taking her Tbird away.
“..shiny new complete kit in the correct colors for under $1,000. That seller purchased it for a restoration that never eventuated..”
Adam. The seller bought a bundle of crap from China, had one look at it, realized his mistake and shrink wrapped it back up to unload on the next guy looking for something “cheap and easy.”
In what universe can you trim out a ’56 Thunderbird interior for $1500?