BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED BABY BIRD, CUSTOM INTERIOR, 312 V8, AUTO, R134A A/C, PS, PB

Description

Two-seater Thunderbirds have been a staple of the hobby since, well, the very beginning. The appeal of cars like this '56 Thunderbird is easy to understand: V8 power, a carefree attitude, a top that goes down, and lots of style. This is a spectacular car in a rare color with some nice upgrades, offering a great Thunderbird experience that will stop traffic everywhere you go.Admittedly, Thunderbirds are popular cars and there are a lot of them for sale at any given moment, but if you've looked at them, you already know that good ones are sometimes tough to find. This one is absolutely spectacular in every way, starting with the rare Peacock Blue finish that really stands out. For many, the '56s are a favorite with numerous upgrades over the '55s, a continental kit, and a purer look than the '57s, and there's nobody who doesn't smile when they see this little convertible coming. The paint is just gorgeous, and aside from a chip near the hood scoop, we can't find many flaws to mention; someone spent a ton of time and money on this car and it shows. Door gaps are good, the hood sits flush and the fender skirts (which, oddly enough, were optional) all fit well, more evidence of expensive, careful work. Chrome, which is always a big part of any '50s car's appeal, is excellent with the rear bumper offering built-in exhaust ports in the outer corners. Look it over carefully and you'll see that there is a lot to like here.The interior is not quite stock, but uses white "mega leather" buckets that make for a spectacular presentation; after all, the idea behind the Thunderbird isn't to keep a low profile. The seats and carpets were restored a few years ago and show minimal wear and the wrap-around feeling of the lightly customized cockpit is enhanced by the door panels, which feature bright engine-turned inserts like the dash. There's a custom center console with cup holders and an armrest, as well as a nicely integrated set of gauges and power window switches. A/C was added with discreet vents under the dash and a custom control panel in place of the factory heater controls. The white hardtop is removable, of course, but we really like the way the top looks against the vivid blue paint. Ford moved the spare tire outside the trunk to answer complaints about a lack of space, and this car's trunk is nicely finished with black carpets and custom side panels that match the interior.With 312 cubic inches and a 4-barrel carburetor, Ford's Y-block V8 is a perfect companion to the open air experience. It's smooth, torquey, and generally unobtrusive, doing what you want without ever seeming to work hard. This one was fully rebuilt about 1700 miles ago with a mild camshaft inside, as well as an electronic ignition to light it up. Breathing through a 4-barrel carburetor, it starts easily and runs well, and with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, power brakes, and power steering, it's just a pleasure to drive. It's quite well detailed with proper Ford Red paint on the block, a dress-up kit, and nicely finished exhaust manifolds that really make a big difference. The chassis shows signs of having been driven, of course, but no major trouble spots the exhaust sounds muscular without being annoying. Spectacular chrome wire wheels really make the car and carry 205/75/15 wide whitewall radials.A stunning car that's sorted and ready to enjoy, this Thunderbird stands out because it gives you more of everything that makes Thunderbirds so popular. Call today!