After being walled up in a house since 1978 (with 7 other cars), this 1956 Ford Thunderbird has recently broken cover after being dug out from underneath dumpster loads of clothing. The car is now for sale here on craigslist for $17,000, and we have Barn Finds reader Patrick S. to thank for sending in this Sunset Coral find. It’s located in Apopka, Florida.
I think this could be where the car is stored now, but I think this was the original storage location. We’re not told for sure in the listing. As you can see, the car is the benefit of a “Continental kit” for the spare tire. Although it doesn’t show in this picture, I think the rear bumper is in pretty bad shape because the seller mentions having a 1955 Thunderbird non-continental tire bumper that he will make available to you if you want it.
Although the data plate decodes as a black car with a two tone red and white interior, the car was changed to the pink and white scheme sometime in it’s life prior to being stored. As it was originally manufactured in the Chicago Ford plant, which usually meant delivery in the Midwest, there’s really no telling about the history of the car, but the Coral certainly fits in with the car’s current location in Florida. We’re also told that the car has no rust except for one hole in the trunk floor about the size of a half dollar, and that it does need some of the chrome replaced. I’m guessing that means more than just the rear bumper mentioned earlier.
The dash itself doesn’t look that bad apart from the dirt, but the discolored areas and general yukky appearance (don’t ya love it when I use those highly technical terms?) have me wondering what smells are in there as well. Manual brakes and manual steering mean that despite the automatic transmission this isn’t a fully optioned car.
This is said to be the original 245 horsepower, 312 cubic inch V8. That’s a four barrel carburetor atop the manifold as well. Although the under hood appearance is pretty tatty, I don’t see anything here that completely scares me. It would be nice to know if the engine were free turning, but it doesn’t appear that the seller has made much of an effort to start the car. I have a couple of questions for you this time: 1) Would you go back to the original color scheme, or stick with the pink & white, and 2) Do you think the car is fairly priced at $17,000?
My first question to the original owner who “walled it up” would be : ” So when was it exactly, that You became a Nut Bar ?? ”
The soul climbing out of the driver’s seat in pic # 1 resembles Albert Einstein with Jesus sandals….that alone raises tons of questions, at least for me……just sayin’. Still, it’s an Early Bird and it will catch a worm….no doubt.
I believe that is a woman. Perfectly acceptable to wear Jesus sandals considering where the car is located. As far as her resembling Albert Einstein — just another gray haired lady trying to extract herself from a low-slung sports car. My question is why include a picture of two people hanging in and around a car you’re trying to sell?
Nickel and dime seller! Spare bumper will be made available if you want it?
Here’s a thought, for 17 large how about throwing in the bumper instead of trying to dump it on the list of craig….
We were looking to buy a house a couple of years ago and saw an older couple’s home where the asking price was in the $850K range. They had a sign on the washer and dryer that they were available for an additional charge…
If I don’t have anything nice to say……
Agreed. At least if they burn the money, it will produce some heat…
Way overpriced, based on the uncertainty here and condition. If it were a ’57 with an E or F code engine one could easily justify the price. But all done up this car might be $40K or so, all in. 55’s and 56’s didn’t have the engine options of ’57 and so don’t command equivalent prices. And they aren’t exactly rare. A bunch of them are always for sale— 124 in Hemmings right now. The only ones more expensive are full concours restos of very heavily optioned cars. Have I missed something here?
The ad has been pulled.
Parade car ? Has a Shriners plate mounted to grille
Used In parades ? Has a Shriner plate on it
Either I’m wrong and it sold for 17 grand, or I’m right and it’s pure endowment effect (“I own it, so it’s worth more than a similar ’56 T-bird that I don’t happen to own”).
Is it just me or does anyone else see a positive battery cable which goes from the starter solenoid on the firewall to the RH base of the carburetor?
What the heck?
That falls under the word “custom”.
17K is too much for something that needs to be gone completely thru. Just the replacement parts along with ovehauling engine and transmission would set you back another 10K. Not to mention, body prep and paint.
Not an Amos Minter bird. The Shriner’s plate and pink color may indicate it was either part of the “Pamela Anderson Bay Watch/beach patrol” synchronized driving unit or long lost Barbie dream-house T-Bird.
Now that’s some funny stuff right there ! :) :)
Last night, I sent the seller an e-mail through Craigslist on behalf of a friend of mine who owns two of these, concerning the price and the non-inclusive parts.
The seller promptly responded…..with no less than seven curse words within the body of the first paragraph, then proceeded to call me a few choice (not repeatable) names. The seller concluded by saying something to the effect of when I’ve restored more than 20 of them, then get back to him (expletive).
Next day, ad removed. Hmmm.
WOW….Nice Guy !
Re-Listed….same lame ad.
https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/6044448484.html
It’s fairly priced…at 5k.
Lot of difference between a ’55 and a ’56 bumper. I owned a ’56, the exhaust goes thru a slot on either side of bumper while ’55 goes thru vertical bumper guards close to license plate which means the ’56 exhaust pipes won’t fit.
If you’re looking for a 3 year project and about $50,000 to spare this is for you. Asking price is too high, $10,00 tops with correct bumper. Paint color should be original to match to data plate code. Makes car more marketable for resale.
55 bumper will not fit a ’56.
I restored a ’55 and a ’57 so I can speak from experience!
17K doesn’t seem too out of line providing the car is complete and in reasonable condition. Amos Minter (the godfather of early bird restorations) in Texas sold a flawless, and I mean flawless, one at auction for 300K. Just to confirm, this car was delivered black and someone chose to paint it pink? Oh death, where hath thy sting?
It would do my heart good to see documentation of You, putting up 17k in cash as the seller requests. It would restore my faith in enthusiast humanity !
Minter is just one of many in the Ford realm. Seriously? Quote whatever…the seller treats prospective buyers like jerks, which makes him a jerk….Do you know this seller personally? If so, you have my sympathy…
No I don’t know the seller personally, nor can I speak to his character. No sympathy needed. Sorry the quote upset you. Now go take a deep breath.
What do they put in the water in Florida? Must be the same stuff as “Wild In The Streets”.