![]() ![]() Other standard features included courtesy interior lights with automatic door switches, dual horns and a glove box. Cowl side vents became a standard feature in 1956, as did new glass wind deflectors. The carpet and steering wheel were color-keyed to each interior color choice. Once again, only one model of the Thunderbird was available, though many options were available. There were five two-tone color combinations to choose from for the interior of the car. As had been the case in 1955, there were two roof options, a fabric convertible top and a removable hard top, now complete with the portholes that provided much better visibility. A hardtop that matched the body color had to be custom ordered from Ford, though it didn’t cost extra. Seven body colors were available: Colonial White, Thunderbird Gray, Raven Black, Peacock Blue, Buckskin Tan, Thunderbird Green and Fiesta Red. An additional change to the 1956 model was that the electrical system was bumped up from six volts to 12.įor 1956, the exterior color options increased to 13 two-tone combinations. With the Ford-O-Matic option, the horsepower for that engine was increased to 198. The base engine was the same engine found in all 1955 models, a 4-barrel 292 V8 rated at 193 horsepower. The new 4-barrel 312 V8 produced 215 horsepower, and that number was increased to 225 if the optional Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission was chosen. This was particularly true since the car’s main competition, the Corvette, had eliminated its inline six standard motor option and also offered two V8 engines in 1956. While the Thunderbird was still (and always would be) marketed as a “personal luxury” car rather than a sports car, the higher performance option was a nice touch. Other than the aforementioned Continental Kit, the main visual changes were found in more numerous color options on the interior and exterior of the car.īut the biggest news for the 1956 models was the new more powerful V8 engine options. The 312 CID V8 produced 215 horsepower and featured the same compression and carburetor set up as the 292 CID.After the success of the 1955 Thunderbirds, very few changes were made to the 1956 models. With a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a cast-iron block, five main bearings, and a 6.4:1 compression ratio, the overhead valve 292 CID V8 produced 200 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The 312 cubic inch engine was available as an alternative to the 292 cubic inch V8. The standard engine was a 4-barrel 292 V8s rated at 193 horsepower, which was found in all 1955 versions. The new 4-barrel 312 V8 engine produced 215 horsepower, with 225 available if the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission was used. This was especially true since the car’s major competitor, the Corvette, had dropped the inline-six as a standard engine choice in 1956 and instead offered two V8 engines. The Thunderbird was still (and always will be) advertised as a “personal luxury” car, not a sports car, but the higher performance option was a welcome touch. The bigger, more powerful V8 engine options were the major news for the 1955 vehicles. Related: Here’s Everything Collectors Should Know About The Iconic 1955 Thunderbird For the interior of the car, there were five two-tone color options to pick fringes. There were two roof options, a cloth convertible top and a removable hardtop, both with portholes for improved visibility. Ford had to order a hardtop in the same color as the body, but it wasn't an extra cost. Colonial White, Thunderbird Gray, Raven Black, Peacock Blue, Buckskin Tan, Thunderbird Green, and Fiesta Red were the seven body colors available. The exterior color selections for 1955 were enlarged to 13 two-tone combinations. More of this and more of that is expected by all, but more is not necessarily better. Today, it would be difficult to recreate that appearance the market would not allow it. The inside is the core of what an automobile should and should be: simple and without excess. The lines on the outside are smooth, and the interior is a work of art. But, and this is a major but, the classic '55 Ford Thunderbirds’ design is simply stunning. ![]()
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