1956
The 1956 Thunderbird was very similar to the 1955 model with some notable exceptions. Portholes were now being offered as an option with the hardtop, a move designed to increase driver visibility, but that went on to become one of the more distinctive features of the Thunderbird. Other design changes included the relocation of the spare tire from the trunk to the exterior of the car right above the newly extended bumper.
The 1956, rarest of Classic Thunderbirds with a production total of 15,631, incorporated Ford’s new safety concepts. Standard equipment included energy-absorbing passenger-side instrument panel padding, a concave safety steering wheel, safety door latches and a shatter-resistant mirror. Seatbelts were optional.
Last-minute improvements, including the addition of the optional 312 CID V-8 engine, gave the second edition of the Thunderbird better handling and increased performance to also improve Thunderbird’s sports car feel.
The 1956 Thunderbird also saw an increase in price with the hardtop now selling for $2,944 and the convertible selling for $3,019. With options however, the price jumped all the way to $3,800.
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