This is my 1956 Thunderbird...

[lspencer534]

It's a very rare color, Thunderbird Gray, that was discontinued early in production. My car was built in November, 1955, and less than 20 were made in this color:



Note a rare option, driving lights. I have a set of amber bulbs for fog lights.

3/4 front view:


I do have fender skirts but prefer the look without them. These are optional wire wheel covers:


Pretty, but a pain to install and remove. They have clips that allached to the wheels; the outer ring can be pulled away from the wheel about 1.5" for washing/waxing and checking tire pressure...just don't let them snap back in place on your fingers--it hurts!

Continenal kit:


It also has back-up lights, another rare option, believe it or not.

The interior:


The horn ring is original and perfect. It has the usual gauges: Tach, temp, gas and oil, plus radio and 3-speed stick transmission. Everything works.

The door panels:


The trim is engine-turned aluminum and very sporty. The turning on the later parts and repros isn't nearly as distinct.

Engine:


312 CI, 245 HP engine, power steering. I replaced the original carb, intake, and distibutor with a 1957 type: 4-BBL Holley carb, 1957 intake and distributor for more power and reliability. I still have the original parts.

Soft top:

It's Haartz cloth that I put on myself, although nobody believes me. I also have a back hardtop.

I did a body-off restoration about 20 years ago. The frame was sand-blasted, minor rust in the rocker panels was repaired, beautiful paint, every component refurbished or replaced, rechromed bumpers, driven less than 500 miles since. I just replaced the gas tank, fuel pump and fuel filter and rebuilt the carb because the tank was a little rusty inside.

Not trying to sell the car here, but I will put it on the market in the Spring. I've owned it for about 40 years, have the factory invoice. I'd drive this car anywhere with conficence.

[Olustee bus]

Very nice. I would have dried it though.

[Dan Dlabay]

Man that car looks good. Like the color.

[CertInsaneC5]

You left it out in the rain?

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by CertInsaneC5

You left it out in the rain?

I was working on it this morning under the portico, and a blowing rain started. No harm done.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Very nice Larry. I actually like the 5 and 6 better than the bigger finned 7. they're a little more subtle. And I've never seen that colour before....very cool. titanium almost.
What do you expect to get for it in the spring?


Is that the last year it was on the road.....o8?

[99 pewtercoupe]

Very nice looking car Spence

[Chuck A]

very nice, indeed

[ApexOversteer]

$40K/$50K retail...

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

Very nice Larry. I actually like the 5 and 6 better than the bigger finned 7. they're a little more subtle. And I've never seen that colour before....very cool. titanium almost.
What do you expect to get for it in the spring?


Is that the last year it was on the road.....o8?

Not, it's been on the road regularly; I'm just negligent about putting tag decals on...also inspection stickers. I've never bought an inspection sticker. Fortunately they were abolished here last year.

I like the 55 and 56 better, too, although I don't care for the 55's 6-volt system. The 56 had the lowest production figure of the series.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by ApexOversteer

$40K/$50K retail...

That's what I'm hoping for.

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

That's what I'm hoping for.

She's a daisy, man... love that grey. It's too bad color-matching the hardtop was an option in '56 and not standard, she'd look amazing with a matching hat.

IMO, I would find a way to have it photographed by someone who can really capture the color in a beautiful setting. With that color, you could really grab a hold of someone's unbearable need to have that T-Bird, over any other.

Find someone with some skills, and a falling-down barn, or an covered bridge, or a old brick wall, and make her look irresistible...

Then you'll be able to ask $60K and get $55K.

[mrvette]

There was a record store on the way home from screwal, and I stopped in there on way home to buy what records I could, one of the owners drove a car almost identical to that.....cool as a moose when I was age 12.....just about 60 years ago......

NICE CAR MAN, VERY NICE!!! lucky bastard.....

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

Very nice Larry. I actually like the 5 and 6 better than the bigger finned 7. they're a little more subtle.

I agree, but sadly, we are in the minority. The '55 and '56 are Dangerfields compared to the '57. I tell ya, they get no respect. Reality can't justify why the '57 can ask that much more money, you don't get that much more car. But then, reality and rationality have no place in one's passion for motorcars...

[6spdC6]

Nice car!

I have always loved the baby birds. I will probaly never do it but a dream of mine was to restamod a Baby bird ( not a pristine numbers matching one)

Of course it would super piss off the Bird people and Ford lovers in general because I would upgrade brakes, suspension, some interior work and put in a LS type modern Chevy power train complete with a decent six or 8 spd auto trans. It would make a good conversation starter at car shows!

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by 6spdC6

Nice car!

I have always loved the baby birds. I will probaly never do it but a dream of mine was to restamod a Baby bird ( not a pristine numbers matching one)

Of course it would super piss off the Bird people and Ford lovers in general because I would upgrade brakes, suspension, some interior work and put in a LS type modern Chevy power train complete with a decent six or 8 spd auto trans. It would make a good conversation starter at car shows!

If you did a '55 or '56 the resulting car would undoubtedly be valued higher than a correct, concours-ready example...

[MrPeabody]

Great looking car, Spence. I've never seen one that color.

Since my first car was a '57 Ford, I'm partial to the '57s. I had to settle for a Fairlane Club Coupe, though, because my budget was $250. No way could I come up with the grand a Thunderbird cost back then in the late 60s.

First thing I did to that Fairlane was to get a set of Thunderbird valve covers at the junk yard and install them. I think I paid five or ten bucks for them.

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Great looking car, Spence. I've never seen one that color.

Since my first car was a '57 Ford, I'm partial to the '57s. I had to settle for a Fairlane Club Coupe, though, because my budget was $250. No way could I come up with the grand a Thunderbird cost back then in the late 60s.

First thing I did to that Fairlane was to get a set of Thunderbird valve covers at the junk yard and install them. I think I paid five or ten bucks for them.

Another old fart junkyard hotrodder......eh???

[The Cripp]

A beautiful car... please don't sell it!

[Bill]

Nice car. I wonder, though, why you built the portico right next to that long, narrow lake?