JACK M Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Marketplace - 1956 Ford Thunderbird | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I can't see the Facebook ad, since I am not a member. Jack, can you post a few pictures, and the text of the ad, the price, and the location? That will give some additional benefit, too, after the ad is no longer there. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 2-1956 Ford T-bird rolling chassis and bodies one set up for 302 Ford one bare engine bay 7500 for pair will separate have titles There are more pics in the ad. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Smolinski Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 54 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said: I can't see the Facebook ad, since I am not a member. You're not missing a whole lot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xander Wildeisen Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 It’s funny the value difference in same year cars. If these were corvettes, 5x the money for the pair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5219 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I thought that all 1956 Thunderbirds had continental kits. Was I mistaken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kar3516 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 3 hours ago, 5219 said: I thought that all 1956 Thunderbirds had continental kits. Was I mistaken? I thought so too. People used to complain about all that weight in the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 All 56 T-Birds had the continental spare tire. It looks like these cars come from Washington state and the bodies look to be in pretty good shape. For that price in the east you would get one car with major rust problems. As “handyman” specials go, you are getting a lot for the money, and the parts to make them “whole” again are certainly available. Of course, if you have the money, buying a better car is the best way to go. As for the price differential compared to the Corvette, the production figures tell the tale. Ford sold 15,631 1956 Thunderbirds and Chevrolet sold 3,467 1956 Corvettes. Lew Bachman 1957 Thunderbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 When I was a young teen, I had a thunderbird savings fund, I wanted a 57 red thunderbird. As an adult, I realize I can't fit in one without a chiropractor. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 35 minutes ago, NC-car-guy said: When I was a young teen, I had a thunderbird savings fund, I wanted a 57 red thunderbird. As an adult, I realize I can't fit in one without a chiropractor. 🙂 A few years ago I was hired to ferry a bunch of cars to a Mecum auction and there was this 55 T-Bird on the list. The car had a manual transmission and a soft top. Its about thirty miles up to the site. I got into one of these in a pouring rainstorm only to find that there was no way I could drive it. No room for my feet to work the pedals and no head room. The car was not watertight and the defroster either didn't work or was to weak to clear the windshield. Winched it onto the trailer for that trip. Must have sold as it didn't come back. I like these cars, but doubtful I could ever own one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 These cars are not designed for people that are tall and carry a lot of excess poundage around the middle. I have no trouble with mine and I am 6’2”. I have long legs and don’t carry a lot of excess weight. One thing the cars have going for them is a telescoping steering column. That allows me to shift the steering wheel back to give my legs the room they need to be comfortable. I should also point out this is a feature that the 56-57 Corvette does not have. Lew Bachman 1957 Thunderbird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B Jake Moran Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I would offer on the one if it was closer but Washington to Iowa adds $1500 in transport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 20 Author Share Posted February 20 23 hours ago, 1957Birdman said: These cars are not designed for people that are tall and carry a lot of excess poundage around the middle. I have no trouble with mine and I am 6’2”. I have long legs and don’t carry a lot of excess weight. One thing the cars have going for them is a telescoping steering column. That allows me to shift the steering wheel back to give my legs the room they need to be comfortable. I should also point out this is a feature that the 56-57 Corvette does not have. Lew Bachman 1957 Thunderbird I don't think I even tried to adjust the seat, not that big around, just didn't think it would be very comfortable for me to drive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 On 2/18/2024 at 8:12 PM, 5219 said: I thought that all 1956 Thunderbirds had continental kits. Was I mistaken? Quote I thought so too. People used to complain about all that weight in the back Another easy way to tell '56 from '55 T-Birds is that the '56 has a closable interior vent seen plainly on the side of each front fender (just ahead of the doors.) Since continental kits can be removed, that's usually what I look for. There are probably other trim differences between the two years, but I don't know enough about 1st gen T-Birds to know what they are. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 The other changes are mostly trim related, including substituting the Thunderbird emblem on the nose for the Ford crest and checkered flags of the 1955. One of the biggest changes is in the interior if the car has the original steering wheel. It was redesigned as a part of “Lifeguard Design” to be more forgiving in an accident. The seat upholstery pattern was also redesigned. Lifeguard Design was implemented by Ford and advertised in all their car lines in 1956. They had done studies and worked with universities to figure out the main ways people were injured in highway crashes. Based on those studies they made a number of changes to their cars including better door latches, softer sun visors, changed steering wheel, and even seat belts (optional). It did not turn out to be a helpful idea for sales. People seemed to think they were saying the cars were unsafe. Some of the design changes persisted into the future, but Ford quit advertising Life Guard Design. Lew Bachman 1957 Thunderbird (with Lifeguard Design) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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