1956 Ford Thunderbird

Description

“Seventh heaven on wheels” is what Ford called the new 1955 Thunderbird. Although the T-Bird looked like a sports car, Ford never claimed it was one, instead calling it a “personal car of distinction.” The two-seater's striking body, paired with a V8 powerplant, helped the Thunderbird vastly outsell the sportier but less comfortable Corvette. Walt Woron, writing in the December 1954 issue of Motor Trend magazine, reported: “The Thunderbird has three basic points in its favor: a rakish, ground-hugging style, performance to match good sports cars, and a design that has built-in comfort for driver and passenger, with no penalty whatsoever to pay for fun.”

This second-year 1956 model was fully restored in 2006 and has been used sparingly since, having been driven only 175 miles and kept clean and dry in a temperature-controlled display environment. The car has been rarely (if ever) wet-washed in the last 19 years while being cared for with Adams Waterless Detail spray, which has preserved the quality and luster of its Fiesta Red paint and white removable hardtop. The Thunderbird is powered by a 312 cubic-inch V8 engine, mated to three-speed automatic transmission.

Highlights 

• Ground-up restoration in 2006 and displayed in a small California collection 

• Finished in one-year-only Fiesta Red paint over red and white vinyl interior with pleated seat inserts 

• White removable porthole hardtop (was not ordered with a soft top) 

• Powered by optional 312 cu-in, four-barrel V8 (rated at 225 horsepower) with red-painted engine block, Thunderbird-logo valve covers, and under-hood battery shut-off switch 

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• The chassis number (P6FH356267) decodes as: 

  • P – 312 cu-in V8, 4bbl, 225 hp 

  • 6 – 1956 model year 

  • F – Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant 

  • H – Thunderbird 

  • 356267 – Sequential production number  

• The data plate decodes as: 

  • Body: 40A – Two-seat convertible 

  • Color: K – Fiesta Red 

  • Trim: XB – Red and white vinyl 

  • Build date: 16H – August 16 

  Features 

• Mechanical refurbishment in 2022: 

  • Radiator rebuilt and re-cored 

  • Fuel pump rebuilt 

  • Carburetor rebuilt 

  • New battery and spark plugs 

  • Installed an electronic choke to improve cold driving performance 

  • Fresh engine oil and filter 

  • Fresh differential gear oil 

• Auburn Deluxe Radial 6.70-15 wide whitewall tires (January 2024) 

• Front disc brakes 

• Continental kit 

• Dual horns 

• Red steering wheel with chrome horn ring 

• Power steering 

• Engine-turned trim on dashboard 

• Town and Country radio 

• Vintage air conditioning 

• Heater 

• 150 mph speedometer/odometer and 5000 rpm tachometer 

• Analog clock 

Known Imperfections 

• Turn signals are currently inoperable  

• Driver’s side interior door release will occasionally jump the release and need to be operated twice 

• Town and Country radio functions but has some static 

Included 

• Car cover 

• Keys 

Ownership History

This 1955 Ford Thunderbird has been part of a small Southern California collection since August 2006. “The car’s 2006 restoration still shows amazingly well today, having been lightly used and stored away from the elements and sun for the past 17 years.”

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Blake Wingrove Phone: 616.822.8589 email: bwingrove@hagerty.com