This 1956 Ford Thunderbird is said to have been stored for approximately 20 years by its original owner before the car was purchased by its second—and current—owner in 2021. Subsequent refurbishment work involved retrimming the interior in black and white leather, replacing the tires, installing an aluminum radiator, and overhauling the fuel, braking, and suspension systems. Powered by a 312ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, the Peacock Blue vehicle has a matching removable hardtop with porthole windows. Other equipment includes wheel covers, a Continental kit, fender skirts, drum brakes, an AM radio, and a tachometer. This Thunderbird is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner with manufacturer’s literature, service records, spare parts, a car cover, and a clean California title in the owner’s name.

The car was finished from the factory in Raven Black with a Colonial White removable hardtop with porthole windows (AE), and it has been repainted in Peacock Blue with a matching hardtop. Features include a Thunderbird nose emblem, a hood scoop, auxiliary parking lights, front-fender vents, a fixed antenna, a driver-side mirror, rear-fender skirts, rounded tail fins, and bright trim. The seller notes corrosion on the chrome bumpers.

Black-painted 15″ steel wheels with bright covers are mounted with 225/75 Hankook Optimo H724 whitewall tires that were replaced in 2021. A body-color Continental spare-wheel assembly is secured to the rear bumper; the seller notes that its spare tire fits poorly. The braking system was serviced with replacement of the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and shoes in 2022, and the front shocks also were replaced.

The bench seat was reupholstered in black leather with white inserts under current ownership. Equipment includes color-coordinated door panels, engine-turned bright trim, a Town and Country AM radio, a heater, a clock, a floor-mounted shifter, and a locking glovebox.

The three-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames an Astra Dial instrument cluster housing a sweeping 150-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer indicates 79k miles, approximately 300 of which were added under current ownership. The tachometer cable was repaired and the steering wheel was fitted with an aftermarket wrap in 2022.

The P-code 312ci Y-block V8 is topped with a four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 225 horsepower. The carburetor was rebuilt and an aluminum radiator was installed in 2022. The following components were replaced around the same time frame:

• Thermostat
• Water pump
• Radiator and heater hoses
• Fan shroud
• V-belts
• Fuel tank
• Fuel-level sending unit
• Fuel pump and hose
• Hood cable

The battery was replaced in September 2026.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission, which—along with the differential—was serviced in 2022.

Decoding the data plate above reveals the following production information:

• P – 312ci V8 w/single four-barrel carburetor
• 6 – 1956 model year
• F – Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant
• H – Thunderbird model
• 275959 – Consecutive unit number

• Body 40A – Thunderbird body style
• Color AE – Raven Black paint w/Colonial White hardtop
• Trim XA – Black and white vinyl upholstery
• Production Code 24D SP 27 – April 24 scheduled build date; Minnesota Twin Cities sales district; 27^th Ford automobile scheduled for production on this date

Manufacturer’s literature and service records will accompany the vehicle.