1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

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