1956 Ford Thunderbird (1955-1957)

This 1956 Ford Thunderbird is powered by a 312ci V8, and a refurbishment completed in 2010 included a rebuild of the three-speed Fordomatic automatic transmission, a repaint in black, and a reupholstering of the white and red interior. Equipment includes a black-finished removable hardtop with porthole windows, a black soft top, a heater, a Custom Autosound AM/FM/CD stereo, chrome bumpers, a rear Continental kit, and parking lights. The current owner’s brother purchased the car in 1974, and the owner acquired it in 1991. This Thunderbird is now offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner at no reserve with service records and a clean Maryland title in the owner’s name. The car left the factory finished in Raven Black and was refinished in 2010. Equipment includes a matching removable hardtop with porthole windows, a replacement black soft top, a Thunderbird hood emblem, chrome bumpers, fender vents, auxiliary parking lights, a fixed antenna, and tail fins. A dent on the right front fender and another on the left rear quarter panel are noted along with pitting on the windshield frame and window frames. The 14″ steel wheels are mounted with 205/75 American Classic tires. A body-color Continental spare wheel assembly is accented with chrome and mounted on the rear bumper. Stopping power is supplied by drum brakes at each corner. The seller notes that the rubber bumpers and bushings are worn and in need of replacement. The cabin features a bench seat reupholstered in white and red vinyl that is accompanied by a color-coordinated dashboard and door panels. Equipment includes a heater, a floor-mounted shifter, manual windows, and a Custom Autosound AM/FM/CD stereo. The clock does not work. The three-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames an Astra Dial instrument cluster housing a sweeping 150-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. Aftermarket gauges for oil pressure, amperage, and coolant temperature are mounted under the dashboard. The five-digit odometer shows 99k miles, approximately 10k of which were added under current ownership. The P-code 312ci Y-block V8 is topped with a four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 225 horsepower. The seller states that the fuel tank and sender, fuel pump and lines, and water pump were replaced in 2008 and that the oil was changed in October 2023. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is said to have been rebuilt in 2009. Rust is noted on the underside and inner rocker panels. Decoding the data plate reveals the following production information: P – 312ci V8, one four-barrel carburetor 6 – 1956 model year F – Dearborn, Michigan assembly plant H – Thunderbird 251243 – Consecutive unit number Body 40A – Thunderbird Color A – Raven Black paint Trim XB – Red and White vinyl