Fantasy Junction

Description

1956 Ford Thunderbird Restomod
s/n M6FH166055
Sage Green with Green and White Interior

Intended to compete with Chevrolet’s recently introduced Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird was a two seat convertible with V8 power and quintessentially American 1950s styling. Unlike the Corvette, however, the Thunderbird was billed as a personal luxury car rather than a sports car and this approach ultimately proved much more popular with the American public. While the first Corvette had a 6 cylinder engine, side curtains, and minimal chrome which limited its market appeal a kept sales low in its first two or three production years, the Thunderbird was much more closely aligned with contemporary American tastes and sold very well. The car sold so well in its first production year, 1955, that it received minimal changes for 1956 and fairly light changes for 1957 as well.

This particular car has been restored in its original color of Sage Green with Green and White interior. While it appears stock from the exterior other than a slightly lowered ride height, it has been significantly modernized under the skin with a supercharged 3.8 liter V6 from a 1993 Thunderbird SC. This is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, which, along with the motor, has been color coded to match the car’s exterior, giving the engine compartment a very special custom appearance. A frame-off restoration was completed in approximately 2005, which included the driveline, as well as the paint, chrome, dash, and carpets. The engine and transmission were disassembled and gone through, and the car has approximately 250hp and 330 foot pounds of torque. Front disc brakes were also added, as was rack and pinion steering. The car retains the air conditioning from the 1993 Thunderbird, subtly integrated into the interior beneath the dash. The factory clock was replaced with a boost gauge, a tachometer fitted to the gauge pod on the left side of the steering column, and a modern stereo with AUX in jack has also been installed. A new black canvas top was also fitted, and the car has a restored porthole hardtop as well.

The car is in excellent condition following its restoration, with a straight body displaying great gaps, which wears a high quality paint job. There are very few signs of wear or aging, with a stress crack at the corner of the engine compartment opening, and a handful of other small blemishes such as a chip at the bottom of the driver’s door opening near the rocker panel, which has been touched up. The paint is otherwise virtually as new, and the car makes a strong impression throughout. The chrome is generally excellent, with some cracks in the finish in one area on the front bumper, but very little other wear or deterioration to the finish. The car wears wire wheel covers and wide white wall tires. The lights and glass are excellent throughout other than an area of clouding and delamination on the left wind wing. The car wears restored California Year of Manufacture license plates. The porthole hard top is in excellent restored condition and comes with hard top cover and dolly.

The interior was restored to equally high standards and retains a generally period correct feel while incorporating several subtle updates including revised instrumentation, modern stereo, and air conditioning. The correct two-tone green and white upholstery is in place, which is excellent. The carpets and dashboard are in equally nice restored condition. The chrome and trim are generally excellent, with light pitting in certain areas but strong overall presentation. The trunk was restored as well, with fresh paint and new correct plaid liner.

The engine compartment is extremely impressive. Most of the engine components have been color coded to match the exterior, giving the engine compartment a slick custom appearance. Even the radiator and intercooler have been painted to match the exterior. The installation is extremely neat and the high quality of the work self-evident.

This is a truly unique opportunity to acquire an extremely subtle restomod. Although the car appears unmodified from the exterior, it has been substantially updated and is now a reliable, high performance car with long cruising legs, plenty of power, and air conditioning. The car was built to high standards and is extremely clean throughout.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608