1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible (LHD)
Sold: $67,000
Specifications
| Engine | V8 312-cV |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 3 Speed Automatic |
| Body Work | Convertible |
| Colour | Colonial White |
| Interior | Black & White |
| Trim | Vinyl |
| Wheels | Steel Disc |
| Brakes | Drums |
Description
Ford announced the Thunderbird on the 22nd of October, 1954 to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette and the compact new 2-seater marked Ford's entry into the personal sports market. A high performance version of the overhead valve V8 engine was introduced to power the T-Bird, with dual exhausts and a four-barrel carburettor helping raise power output to 193hp (in manual trim) or 198hp (for cars equipped with an automatic transmission). All Thunderbirds came with a fibreglass top featuring the distinctive porthole side windows, with a folding rayon hood optional. For 1956, few changes were made to what had been a remarkably successful recipe - to improve boot space, the spare tyre was relocated to an external location on the bootlid (previously available as the Continental kit), there was a new rear bumper with the exhaust routed through the tips and wind wings mounted on the windscreen. Mechanically, the compression ratio was raised to increase power output and for those seeking even more performance, a larger 312-cid V8 was made optional. Production of the T-Bird fell slightly in 1956, with 15,631 examples made, and it remains one of the most instantly recognisable - not to mention collectible - American cars of the 1950s.
