The Ford’s 312 cubic-inch V8 and automatic transmission, along with the power-assisted brakes and steering, have been rebuilt by the seller. Its floors have been patched (though more work is needed) and the trunk is solid. The continental kit is no longer attached but has been saved for when the restoration work picks up again. Since then, the seller has sanded down the car and had both bumpers re-chromed. It was a complete T-Bird with decent black paint and a black/white tuxedo interior. And the ’56 could be ordered with a continental kit because the spare tire took up so much of the already limited trunk space.Īs the story goes, the seller found this car three years ago after it had been in storage for a long time. The easiest way to recognize a ’56 Thunderbird over a ’55 is that the hardtop gained portholes in its second outing. By comparison, for the first three years of the Corvette (1953-55), Chevrolet could only manage to push 4,640 units out the door and nearly pulled the plug. Between 1955-57 (before the Thunderbird became a 4-seat car), Ford built and sold more than 53,000 copies. There is no reserve and the bidding has crept up to $6,000 so far.īesides that the T-Bird and ‘Vette were of a different genre in the mid-50s, public reaction to the cars was quite different. Located in Los Angeles, California, this work-in-progress is available here on eBay. This 1956 edition, rebuilt in stages over the past three years, still has work to go but perhaps most of the heavy lifting has already been done. It was a 2-seat personal luxury car that is often incorrectly compared to the Chevy Corvette, a 2-seat sports car. This vehicle has been checked through the Austroads NEVDIS system, and there are no markers under the written-off or stolen databases.The first generation of the Ford Thunderbird, built between 1955-57, is the version of the car most remembered today. This vehicle’s VIN has been checked against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register, and there is no security interest or other registration kind logged against the serial number. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Whichever route is chosen, it should prove to be a great addition to any collection. Of course, the next owner may wish to simply use the car as-is, and perhaps refurbish it more slowly over several stages in the future. This stylish Ford Thunderbird is in good running order, making it a solid foundation for a programme of restoration. All of the tyres are reported to have sufficient tread, though they would now benefit from renewal on the basis of age. The Thunderbird passed its most recent registration check and is in roadworthy condition. Other than that, the car is mechanically sound and has required only general maintenance over the last seven years. The previous service was 18 months prior to that and included a full front disc brake conversion to make it more driveable on modern roads. Mel’s Automotive carried out a basic service on the car including a clean of the carburettors and tune-up in late 2020. Other cabin trims are in good order, showing some patina as you would expect. The big bench seat looks generally smart, while the hard top needs a new headliner and the door cards also need replacing. The red and white interior leather has also been re-trimmed and is in fair condition. The driver side door glass is cracked and its window regulator needs to be repaired or replaced. As can be seen in the photographs, the paint exhibits cracking and bubbling, particularly on the outside of the two rear wings, as well as on the wheel cover, the edge of the driver’s door and the boot lid. The car has been resprayed in the past and wears its near-seven decades with pride, but it would now benefit from refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory. It features the continental-style rear bumper as well as circular porthole windows in the hard top. The odometer indicates 53,373 miles.Īn example of the first generation of the iconic Ford, the car was manufactured in 1956 and has been with its current owner for seven years. A 292 cubic inch Y-block V8 provides the power, coupled to a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. This 1956 Ford Thunderbird is a mechanically sound, matching numbers example of the classic American cruiser, which could be brought up to an excellent standard with some sympathetic restoration.
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