eboose7

I was nine years old in 1956, when I fell in love with a 1956 Thunderbird that was being given away by a local grocery store. I talked my parents into shopping there, so that I could get tickets in the hope of winning the car. Of course, I did not win, but that was the genesis of my desire to own a '56 TBird. Fifty-six years later, I realized my dream of owning a '56 Thunderbird. An extensive internet search resulted in finding a nice Fiesta Red car that had the same owner for 20 years. His 20 year record of service came with the car. It was complete and rust free, but needed some TLC. Like you, I decided to do a ground up restoration. I took it to a local shop here in Georgia, where the restoration was completed. I look forward to seeing how your car turns out. I know it will be beautiful.

Hill's Thunderbird Center performs award winning restorations and keeps an inventory of hard to find parts. During the restoration of my 1956 Thunderbird, They were able to find an NOS set of rear shocks for me.

Call Tim at Hill's Thunderbird Center (740) 949-2217. They usually have a great selection of "55-"57 Thunderbird parts.

As a participant in class judging at Charlotte this year, you might like to know the high level of class judging that took place. The captain of the team that judged Class 31 is an enduring testament to the excellence of AACA judging. He took the time to point out a fact that I had overlooked. The original plug wires on the 1956 Thunderbird had the cylinder number stamped on the metal contact that goes into the distributor. They were numbered at the factory to assist with the assembly process. The current authentic reproductions on my car are marked with numbered tape which should be removed before the car is shown, as these were not installed at the factory. The team captain took the time to point this out to me. With over three hundred cars to be judged, this level of generosity was even more highly regarded and appreciated. It is this kind of judging that presents an attractive picture of AACA and its contribution to the betterment of the hobby.

It was a perfect day in Charlotte for the 2017 AACA Southeastern Meet. The weather cooperated with clear skies and temperatures around 67 degrees. Hornets Nest put together a fantastic show with over 300 cars in attendance on Saturday. Many thanks to the fine staff at AACA for an exemplary meet.

Paul is right. Here is a picture of the correct air cleaner assembly for a '55-'56 Thunderbird.

I have a BendPak HD-9 four post lift. The drip pans overlap to prevent the problem you describe.

Congratulations, Ron-- on completing your dream garage! I know you worked hard on this one, and it is great that you were able to realize your dream. I recently completed my own dream garage, so I know the joy of an outstanding achievement. Again, let me say, "A job well done."

I was nine years old, when I saw my first Thunderbird, a 1956 model. A local grocery store was giving away a Thunderbird as part of a promotion to attract new customers. When I saw that shiny, black car perched atop a platform in front of the store, it was love at first sight. I thought it was the most incredibly beautiful car in the whole universe! At that precise moment, I vowed to one day own a 1956 Thunderbird. I had to wait fifty-six years to make my dream a reality, but in 2012, I found my dream car--a Fiesta Red 1956 Thunderbird, after an internet search. It had been with the same owner for twenty years and came with detailed receipts showing the work that had been done over the past twenty years. The primary selling point: it was a complete, rust-free car. Still, it needed some serious TLC, so I took it to a local restoration shop specializing in '55-'57 Thunderbirds. There it received a professional ground-up restoration to data plate specifications. The result is an AACA National First Prize in 2015 and a role in a recent Dolly Parton Christmas movie, "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." My wife and I enjoy taking the car out on nice days where it often receives "thumbs-up" from admiring motorists.

At this time of the year, many of us like to reminisce, and that is why I am asking you to watch Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love NBC movie, Wednesday, November 30 at 9:00 p.m. The setting is Christmas 1955. Also, my 1956 Thunderbird has a part in the movie.

Today I attended a charity car show and saw the most beautiful 1937 Packard. It was awarded a People's Choice Trophy. Congratulations to the owner!

Everyone, I repeat, everyone has an opinion on this subject, but I agree that radial tires do not look proper on vintage cars. I have 6.70-15 Goodyear Super Cushion Deluxe tires on my 1956 Thunderbird, and they look period correct for the car. And that is the issue--radial tires DO NOT look period correct. I purchased a set of the new bias look radials from Coker Tire to use on my spare set of steel wheels, but even they cannot accurately substitute for bias ply tires.The fit and stance is off. The wheel covers do not fit flush on the rim with the radials. For authenticity, bias ply tires are the only way to go.

Great. Look forward to seeing the pictures.

Tom, Please post some pictures. I would love to see a family owned original 1957 Thunderbird with only 25,000 miles. I have a restored 1956 with no idea how many owners it has had. You are lucky indeed to have an original Thunderbird that belonged to your father.