Inventory Listing

Two tops, power steering, power brakes, power seat, power windows, A/C. Nice paint, interior and chrome. Frame-on restoration in early 2000s.

This Thunderbird is not a show car, but it is a great-looking car that drives well and has lots of options to make it very enjoyable to drive. The bodywork is quite nicely done, with good, straight quarters, particularly around the fender skirt openings, and decent gaps all around. Code E Colonial White is the car’s original color and it is just the right shade, not pure white, but a slightly creamy white that suits the Thunderbird’s long, low shape quite well. The doors open and close easily, the hood fits well, and the overall look is of a car that’s been treated well all its life. There’s also a sizeable investment in the chrome and stainless trim, most of which is in excellent condition, including the bumpers, grille, and emblems. If there’s a demerit, it’s the hood scoop trim, which might be original and shows very light pitting that’s noticeable upon close inspection. But this car’s first impression is definitely a good one.

It’s probably a good thing that the original code XG brown and white interior was replaced with a more cheerful code XB red and white interior. Patterns and materials are correct and while it definitely has some minor signs of use, it still looks great all around. All the details are right, from the carpets to the wonderfully ornate door panels with engine-turned inserts to the dash pad, which hasn’t been cooked by the sun. Of note, this car has both power windows and a power seat, which are all fully functional, as well as a later AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit that slots into the original radio’s spot in the dash and uses the original speaker location on top. There’s an aftermarket under-dash A/C unit that has a period-correct look and uses modern components under the hood, so it’s reliable and at least as effective as the units you would have received from the dealer in 1956. All the gauges work properly except the clock, which isn’t surprising, and we’re guessing that the odometer was reset to 0 when the car was restored, which explains the mileage. Stowed behind the seats, you’ll find a correct white vinyl convertible top that’s in good condition, complete with a crystal clear rear window. A color-matched hardtop in excellent condition is included as well. The trunk is neatly finished with a correct mat and jack assembly.

The engine is a correct 312 cubic inch “Y-block” V8, which always starts easily and runs quite well. The engine was nicely detailed when the car was restored and now shows some signs of use, most notable some burned engine enamel on the intake manifold where the exhaust crossover is located. It’s outfitted with an accessory dealer dress-up kit, including the gorgeous finned valve covers and chrome air filter and details like hoses, clamps, and other small parts are accurately done. The A/C system is fairly unobtrusive and nicely designed, and you’ll be happy to see that this car has both power steering and power brakes, making it easy to drive. The engine is backed by a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission and 3.00 gears out back, so it’s a superlative highway cruiser. The chassis is probably original, so it’s crusty and grimy, but that doesn’t matter on a driver-grade car like this. The frame is in good order and the floors are solid, but it shows some signs of age and use, so don’t expect perfection. It tracks straight, rides nicely on recent shocks, stops straight, and those gorgeous Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels with 205/75/15 Coker wide whitewall radials make it truly sparkle.

Very affordably priced, this Thunderbird has a lot to offer.