1956 Ford Thunderbird Coupe 312 V8 3 Speed Automatic Classic Vintage Collector

Description for Ford Thunderbird 1956

There is something special about a classic car that has been driven fairly routinely over the years. Its like a person staying active as we age. It keeps things moving more freely and is good for our soul. This '56 T-Bird has felt the sunshine and brought joy to its owners throughout its life. It has also seen good routine maintenance along the way and is looking for its next lucky owner. Being the first of the...Thunderbirds puts this car in a special place of automotive history. It was never intended to be considered a "sportscar", but rather a personal car with a sporting nature and they hit the nail on the head. The Coral Red paint on this car is a mid-life respray of the factory original color and is still in good condition. One feature that is unique to the '56, is the Continental Spare tire treatment at the rear. Of-course there are those stylish tailfins and round taillights as well as rear wheel well spats adding some flair too. You can also drop on the removable hardtop with the classic Opera window if you like either for cool weather motoring or just for fun. The view from the front is classic too with the oval chrome grill flanked by single headlights perched high on the front fenders along with a Thunderbird emblem in the center and a substantial chrome bumper underlining it all. Open the door, or just have a look inside if the white convertible roof is down, and you will find a Fiesta Red and Ivory interior that is also the factory original color for the car and a beautiful compliment to the Coral Red paint. The door panel is pleated in ivory with a machine turned panel just above a long red armrest. A three-spoke steering wheel has a chrome horn ring running most of the way around it. The dash board has a central mounted speedometer with fuel and temp gauges below it while the tachometer and a clock flank it in their own round pods on either side. A machine turned panel runs across the center of the dash and contains the control knobs for the lights and ventilation system which includes air conditioning. The factory AM radio with both Town and Country settings sits in the middle just below a Thunderbird badge on the upper dash pad and above the shifter for the automatic transmission mounted in the floor. Pop the hood and you will find a couple nice features that were added to the '56 year-model cars. Those would be the 312 cubic inch engine, and a 12-volt electrical system. The 312 upped the horsepower to 225 when matched with the 3-speed automatic transmission, and the 12-volt electrical system made for easier starting as well as better lighting and improved visibility. This is the original drivetrain in the car and there are signs of that like the valve cover decals that have a survivor patina to them. There is a unique air filter housing designed to capture fresh air from the hood scoop and signs of good regular maintenance. The chassis received a fresh set of shocks both front and rear as well as new sway bar links and bushings. The car rides on 205/75R15 white wall tires all around mounted on red steel wheels with chrome hub caps. Come on down and check this car out. If you are the one to keep its wheels turning, it would be good for the car, and good for your soul.