The two-seater Ford Thunderbird made its debut in 1955. Despite it being a niche car (a pricey, two-seater personal luxury car with limited trunk space), it was a sales success with 16,155 units sold. Plus, it accomplished its task of being a “halo car” for the Ford Motor Company. It lured people into showrooms and helped change the perception of Ford just being a builder of low-priced, practical family cars and rugged pickup trucks. The Thunderbird had a minor “sophomore slump” in 1956 with 524 fewer units built. Here’s one of those ’56 T-Bird’s that left the factory originally painted Colonial White. At some point it was repainted red and the seller says it’s not been on the road since 1985.
I’d like to know this T-Bird’s story. Based on the photos, it looks pretty straight and solid (but it’s missing photos of the undercarriage) and could be a promising restoration project. Although the seller describes it as a complete car, the photos show it missing the two front bumper guards and the original rear bumper and continental kit. The optional fender skirts are in the trunk along with the air cleaner and antenna. The glass looks good and it has the removable hardtop with porthole windows and brackets for the optional convertible soft top stored behind the front bench seat.
The Code XA black and white vinyl interior will need to be restored. The instrument panel and dash look pretty good and at some point the original bench seat was reupholstered (but it looks like a ’55 T-Bird vinyl seat pattern, not a ’56). This ‘Bird also left the factory with power windows, a 4-way power seat, a Town and Country radio, and a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.
Under the ‘Bird’s hood you see some peeling paint and the original Colonial White color peeping through. V-8 power continued to be standard in Thunderbirds in 1956 with the base engine being a 292-cubic inch Y-Block that generated 202 horsepower. Another piece of good news is that this ‘Bird has the optional 312-cubic inch V-8 engine. It’s not running and we don’t know if it even turns over. And based on the wood blocks in front of the tires, I’m assuming it’ll need brakes along with everything else that needs to be addressed when a car sits for 39 years. This Baby ‘Bird is currently located in Lynnwood, Washington, and is for sale here on eBay. As I’m writing this, the highest bid sits at $6,100, and hasn’t met the seller’s reserve. There’s also a Buy It Now price of $12,999. I’m hoping the next owner will get this T-Bird roadworthy again and treat it to a well-deserved restoration. Would you repaint it back to its original Colonial White color?
Nice article! If this dropped into my driveway, I would assess its mechanical needs before considering the paint, but on the list for later I’d want the cosmetics back to stock.
Stiff buy-it-now price, though, which I always consider a hint at the reserve.
As a non fan of Colonial White I’d keep it the same color. Not a lot of information to go on especially what’s underneath.
photos leave a bad impression, looks like a money pit, regardless of your intended level of refurb.
It looks like a nice piece of automotive history worthy of a RESTORATION.
Stared “ off road” according to seller, looks like it was outdoors judging by underhood shot.
Wow – that’s an unusual fuel filler arrangement. Anyway, Ford knew how to make a sexy design back in ’56.
The previous owner should have left the steering wheel the original color (white, or black). The exterior paint color looks more like a ’55 torch red. The amount of rust in the engine compartment, and directly below the interior doors should be concerning.
Listing gone. I don’t if it was the camera used but something looks off with the car’s proportions. It almost looks like those kits they drop on a go cart chassis for the kids to tool around in.