The first-generation Ford Thunderbird has had its fair share of fans since making its debut in the 1950s as a Chevy Corvette fighter, and that hasn’t changed one bit in the decades since. Rather, one could argue that the original T-Bird is as popular today as it ever has been, and we aren’t just talking about bone stock examples, either. Rather, there are loads of custom examples out there riding around and hitting the auction block on a regular basis, and that now includes this stellar 1956 Ford Thunderbird, too.
This custom 1956 Ford Thunderbird is scheduled to be sold at Mecum’s upcoming Larry’s Legacy auction in September, where it will be joined by a host of other notable rides and automotive-related memorabilia. It was designed and built by famous car customizer Gene Winfield, who autographed the dashboard, and gave the T-Bird a slew of unique details inside and out.
On the outside, those consist of stacked headlights sourced from a Lincoln Continental, bumpers that are now flared into the bodywork, a custom scooped hood, a hand-made continental kit, a Carson lift-off top, and Baby Moon wheels wrapped with wide whitewall tires. With all of that chopping and welding completed, the T-Bird was sprayed in Sizzling Electric Blue paint with contrasting scallops.
Inside, one will find a contrasting blue and white two-tone interior with loads of wood covering the dash, door panels, and steering wheel rim, coupled with spun aluminum trim and aftermarket gauges. Power comes from the more modern 5.0L V8 taken from a Mustang of the Fox Body generation, which features a four-barrel carb and dual exhaust, mated to an automatic transmission. Underneath, one will find power rack and pinion steering, tubular A-arms, and power brakes, to boot.
It’s been a little while since we last saw a custom first-generation Ford Thunderbird that had been modified so extensively – nearly two years, in fact, when a rather stellar 1957 model surfaced for sale at auction, too.
Closing the week at $10.82 per share.
Something many enthusiasts have always wanted.
What's worse, not using a blinker or using the wrong one?
Looks as good on display as it does sideways.
