Seen here on the hills in front of our Museum is One of the Most Recognized, Iconic American Cars ever to Hit the Road. It has been in more Movies, Television Shows and Print Advertising than any other Early Bird and most other Classic Cars ever made. In fact, it has even been pictured on a United States Postage Stamp. This prime example has come to us from California and then Florida and comes complete with a copy of it's original Dealer Built Sheet from Ford via Dearborn. It is finished in the most desirable and correct color "Fiesta Red" with Red/White Bench Seat and White Hard and Soft Tops. It is optioned with the 312 c.i. / 225hp V8 and Ford-o-Matic Automatic Transmission, Oil Filter (yes, it WAS an option), Positive Action Windshield Wipers , Chrome Engine Dress Kit, Power Steering, Soft Top, Power 4-way seats, 'Safety Package' (Visors & Padded Dash) WWW Tires, Full Wheel Covers, AM Radio & Antenna, Heater & Defroster, Back-Up Lights, Power Brakes and Fender Skirts. Never assume anything when it comes to old cars: the Soft Top WAS an "Option" in 1956, while the Portholes & Hard Top were Standard Equipment (portholes were optional in 1957). Originally delivered to Ben Alexander Ford in Los Angeles, CA. and built on Aug.07 1956, it was invoiced at $3108.82 "new". A TRUE California car. This vehicle was treated to a frame-off restoration several years ago and looks and drives very  nicely. We have in-house, receipts for all services and further improvements since 2000 including full motor, transmission & brake overhaul.  Due to their popularity, 'book value' can still be strong.. as much as $61,000 but, recognizing 'times gone by' we have priced it to sell at $40,500.

THE STORY:

Credit where credit is due: the Thunderbird would never have existed if it weren't for the introduction of the Corvette in 1953.  Ford, then, felt compelled to beat GM with a better mousetrap and it was on the drawing boards a month after the Corvette Concept car showed up at the Autorama and on sale by Oct. 22 1954. Bear in mind in 1956 vehicular choice was narrowed to Sedans, Coupes, Station Wagons and Convertibles.  There were no Subcompacts, SUV's or Sporty Cars manufactured in America, only in Europe. Chevrolet beat the curve by offering the First American (mass produced) "Sportscar". Ford ultimately "one-upped" them by deciding that description limited their sales scope. They decided to offer a more conventional (non-plastic, fiberglass) two-seater powered by a V8.. not a measly Six, with real roll-up windows and a Hardtop as Standard. They deliberately called it a "Personal Luxury Car" leaving the less desirable not-for-everyday- use  term "Sportscar" to General Motors. Buyers responded: Chevrolet sold 300 Corvettes in 1953, 3,640 in 1954, 700 in 1955 and 3,467 in 1956. Ford, on the other hand - despite being 2 years late, sold 16,155 Thunderbirds in 1955, 15,631 in 1956...pretty much DOUBLE in the first year what GM did in all FOUR years and WAY over Ford's anticipated 10,000 first year production. Perhaps it was the consumer's concern about the safety of the new fangled, creaky 'fiberglass' vs. steel or maybe the Isinglass bolt-up, leaky side curtains vs. roll-up glass windows, door handles vs. no door handles, Six Cylinder vs. V8, power robbing 2-speed Automatic vs. Ford's 3-Speed Fordomatic, Erector-Set Soft top ONLY vs. Hardtop, Two-seat vs. Bench Seat (3 uncomfortably or "comfortably" depending on how 'close' you want to be to your date), or maybe... it was the price tag: T-Bird $2695 base vs. Corvette $2934....or even the Push-Button Radio, whatever, Ford definitely pulled one off. Both cars were developed with parts off-the-shelf by both Manufacturers. Ford's motor was initially 'borrowed' from Mercury's 292 stockpile while Chevy shortened their production frames and used their tried & true "Stovebolt Six" Motor. Bear in mind: the big Ford cars still carried the bulbous body look  with stubby tailfins but, despite their similarity, the T-Bird somehow looked sleeker, athletic and more sophisticated   in it's new configuration. Despite the Fender Skirts and Whitewall Tires, they all carried a simulated Air Scoop on the Hood , Engine Turned Dashboard and 150mph Speedo. By 1956, after listening to hoards of complaints about "trunk room" Ford moved the Spare Tire into a Continental Kit on the back. It also allegedly 'balanced' the car better. They also added beautiful Glass 'Ventipane' Windows and several New Paint Colors. Ford carried on this 'small is better' concept through 1957 when The Powers-To-Be convinced all Board Members they HAD to have a 4-seat Thunderbird to be truly competitive. Production then launched into the Big Birds. This forever caused the "Baby Birds" to be coveted and nurtured by most avid collectors for the next 50 years.

Future sales figures may have vindicated the Head Honcho's decision but, true lovers of the 'original  concept' will never forgive them.

My opening comments stated the unique history of these great cars but, I should also mention they have been owned by many Famous Personalities. Bing Crosby was 'gifted' one by Ford if he would say 'kind things' about it. During his incredible vocal career and stardom, while filming "High Society" (featuring Grace Kelley and Frank Sinatra as well),  it is said he became Ford's " Best Salesman" as he claimed heconstntly boasted about the car stating one time he "loved his 1956 T-Bird... that it had enough room in the trunk for 4 hunting dogs, a brace of decoys and a case of ...(unspeakable at the time) Scotch". Frank Sinatra also owned a black Bird and had glowing reviews as well.  Howard Hughes owned a '56 and actually ended up using it as a Emergency Crash Rescue Vehicle at his Airport. And, who could forget ?: Suzzane Somers drove a white '56 Bird in "American Graffiti".

 Most folks don't know that the First 'Bird's' lacked many safety features. The steering wheel & column on 1955's Birds were set at just the right level  to spear your heart in the event of an accident, the Autocraft carburetor operated no better than siphoning gas from a can and rust was common place, especially in the doors and inside the vents. The fiberglass HardTop was so cheap the paint would 'react' & fade within months of delivery.  By 1956, Ford was on a "Safety" binge and dramatic changes were afoot. They started by completely changing the configuration & design of the steering column & steering wheel, and adding the Portholes in the hardtop, eliminating the dangerous 'blind spot'. Ventilation was improved from "cooking baked ham in Florsheims" to 'more than adequate' ' ventilation in the footwells, .... the harsh ride was improved as well. Can't forget Horsepower: it was increased by adding the optional '312' /225hp engine. Most folks didn't realize that the T-Bird V8 couldn't hold a candle (performance wise) to Chevy's new 283 but, it didn't matter. This time they won the Ford vs. G.M. competition. The rest...... is history.

(As Paul Harvey would have said) ..."and now, The Rest Of The Story":

 To relate to what a great value the 1956 Thunderbird was.... take a look at What Things Cost in 1956:

Gasoline was 30 cents gallon

Note: this photo displays the ORIGINAL INDIAN Sterling Silver Pin (handmade in the Early 50's) with the CURRENT Classic Thunderbird Club International Emblem above . Same emblem as used on the car.