1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

The Apex Collection · Lot F162

1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Sold for$82,500
Mecum Kissimmee 2026Crossed the block 2026-01-16Mecum lot page →

Frame-Off Restoration, 312/225 HP V-8, Desirable Options, Porthole Hardtop

Highlights

  • Code K Fiesta Red
  • Red and White vinyl interior
  • 312/225 HP Thunderbird V-8 engine
  • Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission
  • White soft top
  • White painted porthole hardtop
  • Town & Country radio
  • Engine dress-up kit
  • Master Guide power steering
  • Power seats
  • Continental kit
  • Kelsey Hayes wire wheels
  • Rare and desirable power windows
  • Complete nut and bolt frame-off restoration

Specification

Year
1956
Make
Ford
Model
Thunderbird
Exterior
Fiesta Red
Interior
Red/White
Transmission
Automatic
Odometer
13 miles
Lot
F162

The Story

Presented in the iconic Fiesta Red with both a white soft top and the desirable porthole hardtop, this 1956 Ford Thunderbird captures the style, elegance and sporting character that made the original “Baby Bird” an instant American classic. Recognized today as one of the most collectible T-Bird model years, the 1956 model year introduced several key refinements including the rear-mounted Continental Kit and improved cabin ventilation, making it the most distinctive version of the first-generation Thunderbird.

Under the hood sits Ford’s 312 CI V-8, the top-tier engine offering for 1956, delivering smooth and effortless performance perfectly suited to the Thunderbird’s sporty-luxury mission. Power steering enhances drivability, making this Thunderbird an easy and enjoyable car to cruise at any speed. Complementing the mechanical performance is a set of Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, an iconic period upgrade that elevates both appearance and authenticity. This example is further optioned with the Town and Country radio, a premium feature known for its impressive station-search capability and upscale presentation. The signature Continental Kit adds to the Thunderbird’s unmistakable profile, while the white soft top provides a perfect contrast when the hardtop is removed. Also, this example has very rare and desirable power windows.

Having benefited from a comprehensive, nut-and-bolt, no-expense-spared, frame-off restoration, this Bird is beautifully presented, attractively optioned and finished in one of the most desirable Thunderbird color combinations. This Fiesta Red 1956 example embodies the timeless appeal of Ford’s personal luxury icon—a stylish, well-equipped and highly sought-after classic ready to be enjoyed or shown with pride.

Photography · 91 frames