1956 Ford Thunderbird

2dr Convertible

8-cyl. 312cid/215hp 4bbl

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$31,500 CAD*

-15.5%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value GraphOct 2024
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Model overview

Model description

For the Ford Thunderbird’s sophomore year of 1956, various style changes took place, with the ultimate goal of adding room in the trunk. This was, after all, an upscale luxury cruiser (as opposed to the Corvette’s sports car positioning), and there was a good chance the two occupants may be traveling with luggage to their destination.

The added trunk space was achieved my moving the spare wheel to the outside, in its own very stylish container. Additionally, the exhaust outlets, once integrated into the rear fascia on the 1955 model, were now worked into very subtle outlets on the corners of the rear bumper.

The addition of “porthole windows” for the 1956 Thunderbird improved rearward visibility and added one of the T-Bird’s signature styling cues. This was a no-cost option.

To improve cabin ventilation, small air vents were added behind the front wheels, which made for another functional component that became a signature stylish touch.

V-8 power continued to be standard for the ’56 T-Bird, with the 292 cid Y-Block sending 202 horsepower to the rear wheels though either a 3-speed manual or a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.

For 1956, Ford added an optional 312 cid version of the Y-Block V-8. This engine put out 260 horsepower with the manual transmission, or 225 horsepower with the Ford-O-Matic. There was a third transmission option – an overdrive transmission with planetary gear-sets. With this transmission, output was just 215 horsepower.

Production volume for the 1956 Ford Thunderbird was 15,631 units, which was the lowest of the first three years of the T-Bird, but still well more than three times higher than the Corvette at the time.

Vehicle specifications

  • Shipping Weight3088 lbs
  • Vehicle Length175.3 in
  • Wheelbase - Inches102 in

Equipment

  • StandardOptional
  • Transmission3-Speed Manual TransmissionAutomatic Transmission
  • BrakesPower Brakes
  • Power SteeringYes
  • TiresWhite Sidewall Tires
  • EntertainmentAM
  • WindowsPower Windows
  • Comfort Equipment Heater/Defroster
  • SeatsBench Seat
  • TachometerYes
  • Roof DescriptionRemovable HardtopSoft Top-Fabric
  • Restraint TypeSeat Belts

Equipment

Standard

  • Transmission3-Speed Manual Transmission
  • SeatsBench Seat
  • TachometerYes
  • Roof DescriptionRemovable Hardtop

Optional

  • TransmissionAutomatic Transmission
  • BrakesPower Brakes
  • Power SteeringYes
  • TiresWhite Sidewall Tires
  • EntertainmentAM
  • WindowsPower Windows
  • Comfort Equipment Heater/Defroster
  • Roof DescriptionSoft Top-Fabric
  • Restraint TypeSeat Belts
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All prices shown here are representative of stock condition vehicles only and based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Value adjustments for optional equipment are in U.S. dollars. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.CA/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.