1956 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

1956 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

The Thunderbird and the Corvette have a long and sorted history, with both initially competing for the same customer space. Eventually the Corvette went to racing, and the Thunderbird became the boulevard king. The ultimate getaway car from the kids with only 2 seats, as well as the option to have a hardtop traveler, or a convertible cruiser, it became the "it" car for mid-1950's suburbia.

If you're looking for a sweet 50s-era classic that's valuable, fun to drive and has the ability to turn Main Street into an instant classic car show then this is "it" for you. Found stored away for who knows how long in a barn in 1999, now rescued and in need of some TLC. An all Flamingo Pink exterior with white and red and white interior, you will think you are driving down the street in a pink tuxedo! Oh, don't forget we will be bringing up the rear with that Continental rear bumper complete with covered rear tire. Swanky.

ExteriorFlamingo pink covers the entire bodywork and hardtop, which has scratches, dents and dings, and surface rust showing through the paint in various areas. A Continental kit is on the rear, which shows some similar rust and paint chip off. Chrome and brite work are noteworthy in that they too have some early signs of rust, and dimpling. Most of the rust damage is on the rear cowl just before the trunk, and the rockers are suffering from invasive rust. Atop the hood is a scoop with chromed intake peeks out from the top, and adds flair to the long hood. Front bumper is straight and true, with some chrome wear off and slight signs of rust. Two mini dagmars are attached in front of a smiling grille which was inspired by Ferrari. On the rear, small fins sprout from the rear quarter panels, and end at the large, chromed Continental bumper, and body matching tire cover. Wide white sidewall tires wrap dish style wheel coverings that have a Ford badge in the center. Fender skirts with chrome accents adorn the rear and add to the "thin body" look of this car. The hardtop top sports a porthole window. Sadly, the convertible soft top is not with the car nor is the vast majority of its framework.

InteriorA nice but showing as an older restored interior begins with a bench seat with white vertical tuck and roll inserts surrounded by smooth red vinyl bolsters. This motif creates the illusion of 2 seats, when in fact there is just one. Seat belts have been added to the driver's side only. Door panels are draped with machined aluminum and white tuck and roll horizontal vinyl and are in fair to good condition. The red topped dash has the machined aluminum as well, in a swirl pattern, and houses a Town and Country radio. Gauge cluster is neat and clean and is fronted by an original steering wheel. A tachometer and clock have been molded into this dash and flank both sides of the arched speedometer. The floor shifter resides in a sea of good condition deep red carpeting, with nicely stitched Thunderbird logo floor mats. The headliner in the hardtop is also in good condition.

DrivetrainA 312ci V8 mill sits nicely in an unrestored original looking engine bay. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor which hides under a chromed flying saucer style air cleaner covering and chromed air cleaner cover. Other highlights include Thunderbird logo emblazoned valve covers, solid rubber hoses, and a nicely patina engine block in red. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission is attached, and a Dana 44 3.31 rear axle is spinning the rear wheels.

UndercarriageSome heavy surface rust is encrusting the suspension and driveshaft as well as the rear axle. The X frame is involved with invasive rust at the rockers, and the inside metal sheeting near the back of the wheel wells is very rusted. Structural stability is in question, but an expert can verify this. Drum brakes are all around, and a dual stock exhaust is seen.

Drive-AbilityShe lit right up with the turn of our key, and we were off. It drives smoothly and the radio works but has no reception, and the vacuum wipers are slow at best. The clock and horn were not working. A good cruiser, and despite the exterior condition a looker for sure.

Classic Auto Mall presents this barn find rescued in 1999, 1956 Thunderbird Flamingo pink classic. It will need some overall TLC on the underside and a thorough sandblasting and fixing of the rust on the body. It's all there though, continental rear bumper, futuristic taillights, smiling grille, Dagmars, hood scoop, wrap around windshield and two-tone interior. The soft top needs to be put on, but in the meantime, you have that snazzy porthole window hardtop, which can be removed for open cockpit driving, nearly as easy as getting the soft top down and getting it behind the rear bench which can be a challenge.

VIN DECODEP6FH286686P-312ci V8 4bbl 225hp6-1956F-Dearborn, MI Assy PlantH-Thunderbird286686-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAGBODY 40A-ThunderbirdCOLOR A-Raven BlackTRIM XB-Red & White

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.