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The two-seater Ford Thunderbird was based on a February 1954 show car and was introduced on October 22 that year. The Thunderbird was launched nearly two years after Chevrolet introduced its fiberglass-bodied Corvette. For 1955, the Thunderbird sales outpaced those for the Corvette by an astonishing 23 to 1. (16,155 Thunderbirds versus 700 Corvettes).
The Thunderbird was low-slug and of all-metal construction, powered by a 292 cubic-inch V-8 engine with roll-up windows, and a removable hardtop. The 1956 Thunderbird remained mostly unchanged, though the hard top received 'porthole' quarter-windows, the spare became a 'Continental' kit to gain trunk space, and a 312 cubic-inch 'Thunderbird Special' V8 engine as optional equipment. Even with these improvements, sales dipped slightly to 15,631.
This 1956 Ford Thunderbird was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held at Meadow Brook. It is powered by a 312 cubic-inch Thunderbird Special V8 engine capable of producing 215 horsepower. There is a three-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes. It is finished in white with a black soft top. The optional black hardtop was also included in the sale. The interior is finished in black, and the chrome wire wheels accent the car's white-wall tires. The list of options on this car includes power steering, power brakes, power windows, four-way adjustable power seat, and air-conditioning.
1956 was the first year Ford introduced a 12-volt electrical system on the Thunderbird. This improvement allowed Ford to add a myriad of optional power accessories. There are many distinguishable elements between the 1956 and 1955 Thunderbird, such as the restyled taillights and the continental kit, which had become standard.
This example was offered for sale without reserve and estimated to sell between $35,000 - $50,000. At auction, the car was sold, selling for $46,200.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015
The Thunderbird was low-slug and of all-metal construction, powered by a 292 cubic-inch V-8 engine with roll-up windows, and a removable hardtop. The 1956 Thunderbird remained mostly unchanged, though the hard top received 'porthole' quarter-windows, the spare became a 'Continental' kit to gain trunk space, and a 312 cubic-inch 'Thunderbird Special' V8 engine as optional equipment. Even with these improvements, sales dipped slightly to 15,631.
This 1956 Ford Thunderbird was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held at Meadow Brook. It is powered by a 312 cubic-inch Thunderbird Special V8 engine capable of producing 215 horsepower. There is a three-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes. It is finished in white with a black soft top. The optional black hardtop was also included in the sale. The interior is finished in black, and the chrome wire wheels accent the car's white-wall tires. The list of options on this car includes power steering, power brakes, power windows, four-way adjustable power seat, and air-conditioning.
1956 was the first year Ford introduced a 12-volt electrical system on the Thunderbird. This improvement allowed Ford to add a myriad of optional power accessories. There are many distinguishable elements between the 1956 and 1955 Thunderbird, such as the restyled taillights and the continental kit, which had become standard.
This example was offered for sale without reserve and estimated to sell between $35,000 - $50,000. At auction, the car was sold, selling for $46,200.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015
2007 Vintage Motor Car Auction at Meadow Brook Hall
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $35,000-USD $50,000
Sale Price :
USD $46,200
1956 Ford Thunderbird Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Ford Thunderbird
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: P6FH198308 Sold for USD$49,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: P6FH272407 Sold for USD$66,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh236744 Sold for USD$30,002 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh209786 Sold for USD$55,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird P-Code Chassis#: P6FH302648 Sold for USD$31,360 2024 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: P6FH343706 Sold for USD$148,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
KRIS JENNERS 1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: P6FH329794 Sold for USD$49,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: P6FH352860 Sold for USD$82,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CUSTOM TOPLESS ROADSTER Chassis#: P6FH272419 Sold for USD$385,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: AZ393357 Sold for USD$37,400 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: m6fh352852 Sold for USD$45,100 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: m6fh273582 Sold for USD$17,600 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh192789 Sold for USD$33,000 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh159692 Sold for USD$32,450 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh203929 Sold for USD$28,600 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh198313 Sold for USD$42,900 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh243953 Sold for USD$41,800 2023 Mecum : Dallas | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: m6fh267739 Sold for USD$55,000 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh332830 Sold for USD$49,500 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#: p6fh253280 Sold for USD$30,800 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg |
Ford Thunderbirds That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Ford Thunderbird's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | P6FH268893 | 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | p6fh252373 | 2024 Mecum : Houston | $22,000 | ||
1956 Ford Thunderbird Roadster | P6FH285595 | 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | p6fh324656 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $22,000 | ||
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | p6fh316346 | 2023 Mecum : Dallas | $40,000 | ||
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | p6fh267760 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $40,000 | ||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | p6fh252373 | 2023 Mecum : Houston | $44,000 | ||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2023 Mecum : Glendale | $30,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2022 Mecum : Chattanooga | $52,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2022 Mecum : Chicago | $27,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2022 Mecum : Houston | ||||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | $90,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2021 Mecum : Houston 2021 | ||||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum : Dallas | $25,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Fall Carlisle Auction | ||||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | P6FH208663 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | $35,000 | $45,000 | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2020 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special | $60,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special | $45,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special | $37,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $46,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum : Glendale | $30,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Carlisle Auctions : Winter AutoFest | ||||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | $27,500 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | $65,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | P6F H293298 | 2019 Historics at Brooklands MercedesBenz World | $28,000 | $35,000 | |
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2019 Mecum : Dallas | $50,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2019 Mecum : Harrisburg | $27,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $30,000 | |||
1956 Ford Thunderbird | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $42,758 range.
1965 GMC CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:1002PF29744A Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:1FAHP69A15Y105268 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1991 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Chassis#:1G1YZ23J2M5800003 Sold for $42,350 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 427/390 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194678S407410 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1979 Jeep J10 Chassis#:j9a25nn012679 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Chassis#:1z37w2s522193 Sold for $42,350 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:124379n505200 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Chassis#:136176a130169 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:124378n329955 Sold for $42,900 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1980 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SD Chassis#:116.120.12.016524 Sold for $42,560 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1908 Franklin Model G 16hp Runabout Chassis#:7614 G Sold for $42,483 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1958 Zundapp Janus 250 Saloon Chassis#:0W5647 Sold for $42,483 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2010 MASERATI GRANTURISMO CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:ZAM45KMAXA0052458 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 560SL ROADSTER Chassis#:WDBBA48DXKA096932 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:124379N630342 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1955 CHEVROLET 3200 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:M255K013579 Sold for $42,350 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1933 PLYMOUTH DELUXE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:PE08371 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1962 IMPERIAL LEBARON PRE-PRODUCTION PROTOTYPE Chassis#:991502 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1972 CHEVROLET C10 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:CCE242J167444 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1963 CHEVROLET CHEVY II NOVA CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:30437K121338 Sold for $42,900 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ |
1956 Ford Thunderbird
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