Reserve Removed: 1956 Ford Thunderbird

This 1956 Ford Thunderbird is a second-year example that was built in Ford's Dearborn, Michigan plant with Peacock Blue paint and a Peacock and White interior, according to its data plate. The car was purchased by the seller's father in 1968 and when it passed to her and her brother in 1982, it was placed in storage and covered until 2014. Since then, the vehicle has received replacement upholstery, carpeting, and other components with original parts. The hood conceals a 312ci V8 equipped with a rebuilt radiator and connected to a 3-speed manual overdrive transmission. Equipment includes power steering, newer mufflers and exhaust pipes, a telescoping steering column, and an AM radio. This Thunderbird now comes with a white hardtop with portholes, refurbishment documentation, owner's literature, a clear New Mexico title in the seller's name, and more.

The Ford Thunderbird debuted as a 1955 model with V8 power, a removable fiberglass top, and rear fender skirts. Ford revised it for 1956 by adding vents to the front fenders for improved cabin ventilation, adding portholes to the removable hardtop to increase outward visibility, moving the spare tire to the outside of the vehicle to increase trunk space, and relocating the dual exhaust outlets to the ends of the rear bumper. As this particular example's data plate indicates, it comes finished in Peacock Blue (L), a color used on only the 1956 Thunderbird, and it is topped with a white removable hardtop with portholes. Brightwork includes chrome bumpers, windshield trim, fender vents, door handles, and rear fender skirt accents. 

The car rolls on a set of replacement whitewall tires and features a rear-mounted tire cover with scratches that are visible in the photo gallery.

The "XC" trim code on this Thunderbird's data tag means it came with a Peacock and White interior color scheme, which covers the power bench seat and door panels. Metallic trim is found on the door panels and dashboard. Equipment includes a telescoping steering column connected to power steering, manual windows, and an AM radio. The seller reports they replaced the upholstery, headliner, carpet, and weather stripping with original parts.

Instrumentation comes in the form of a 150-mph speedometer, 5K-rpm tachometer, a clock, and gauges for the fuel level and engine temperature. The seller reports the car has 44,702 true miles and points to included invoices showing approximately 22K miles in 1969 and 44K miles in 2014.

Power comes from a 312ci "Y-block" V8 that was a new optional engine for the 1956 Thunderbird. It comes equipped with a new battery and starter, replacement belts and hoses, and a rebuilt radiator. A 3-speed manual overdrive transmission helps send the engine's output to the rear wheels.

A new gas tank and 4-year-old mufflers and exhaust pipes round out the list of recent parts.

The sale includes the owner's books, touch-up paint, and documents related to the car's ownership and maintenance history.