1956 Ford Thunderbird
s/n P6FH233347
White with Red Interior

Intended to compete with Chevrolet’s recently introduced Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird was a two seat convertible with V8 power and quintessentially American 1950s styling. Unlike the Corvette, however, the Thunderbird was billed as a personal luxury car rather than a sports car and this approach ultimately proved much more popular with the American public. While the first Corvette had a 6 cylinder engine, side curtains, and minimal chrome which limited its market appeal a kept sales low in its first two or three production years, the Thunderbird was much more closely aligned with contemporary American tastes and sold very well. The car sold so well in its first production year, 1955, that it received minimal changes for 1956 and fairly light changes for 1957 as well.

A longtime California car, this example wears black plates dating from the early 1960s and used to belong to Milo Shepard, the the grand newphew of famed writer Jack London. The car is a P-Code example, indicating that it was fitted new with 312cid engine. Built in Dearborn, Michigan, it was completed on the 29th of February (1956 was a leap year) and supplied new to San Jose, California. It has been restored to its current color scheme of white with two tone red and white interior and is a nice driver example that is attractively presented and structurally sound.

Cosmetically, the car presents well, being a nice driver with straight body displaying good gaps. The paintwork was done to very good standards and is generally excellent, with a few small stress cracks and one inverted dimple on the hood, likely from the hood having been closed on a tool that was in the engine compartment. The chrome is generally good, with light pitting and surface scratches in a few places. The glass and lights are generally excellent other than some delamination on the left wind wing. The car is equipped with port hole hard top, which is in excellent condition. The soft top is in good condition with clear rear window.

The interior is correctly presented and in very good condition, with nice upholstery, dashboard, and carpets. There upholstery is generally excellent and while it no longer looks brand new, certainly does not need to be redone. The carpets are excellent and the car has correct Thunderbird red rubber over mats. The dashobard is excellent, although a modern radio has been fitted. The chrome and trim are in good shape throughout, as are the instruments. The dashboard pad is in excellent shape.

The engine compartment has been thoroughly restored and is very clean. It is generally correct in appearance with red engine block and factory air cleaner. The inner fenders, polished valve covers, and ancillaries are all excellent and the general appearance is of a car that was restored to high standards some years ago and used sparingly since. The trunk was also restored with new paint and the rubber mat is like new. The undercarriage appears unrestored but is structurally sound.

This is a great opportunity to acquire a nice restored black plate P-Code Thunderbird with port hole hard top. The car is attractive and presentable, with long term California ownership. The car comes with hard and soft tops, as well as original handbook.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This car is sold AS IS without warranty.  A 10% deposit is due upon the successful completion of the auction.  Remainder of payment is due within one week of the end of the auction, and prior to the delivery of the vehicle. Fantasy Junction reserves the right to end this auction early in the even of the sale of the car outside of eBay. Inspection is available and encouraged, and should be arranged and completed prior to the completion of bidding. A final bid (if reserve is met) is and should be considered a sale and acceptance of terms, and the vehicle is AS IS and WHERE IS. If you have NEGATIVE or ZERO feedback, please contact us prior to bidding. Please contact us for names and phone numbers of local professionals familiar with this type of car, whom you may interview and with whom you may arrange an inspection.  If you are concerned with what the car may need, an inspection is an excellent way to remove surprises. Please allow for normal wear and tear items based on the age of any car and restoration if applicable.  Please use your better (or even your best) judgment.  We have done and will do our best to describe the car faithfully and correctly, and would like you to know and understand exactly what you are bidding on.

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