1956 Ford Thunderbird with Porthole Hardtop

The Thunderbird was Ford's response to Chevrolet's Corvette. When the Thunderbird was introduced in 1955, it outsold the more expensive Corvette by 24 to 1 as a result of clean styling, creature comforts, and V8 refinement. The 1956 model includedls with silver chapter rings, with chrome batons and hands. The strap is a Tag Heuer perforated driving style on a Tag Heuer stainless steel deployant clasp. A modern re-edition of a Heuer classic.

the addition of Ford's Continental Kit which had become standard. This encompassed a rear mounted spare tyre and cowl vents on each side, as well as the all-important porthole windowed glass-fibre hard top - an optional extra at the time.

The Thunderbird offered for sale here is in all round excellent condition and is a car one would be proud to own. The Black bodywork with matching black glass-fibre hard top (with port hole windows) and brightly polished chromework are all exceptional. Mechanically, the 312cubic inch 212hp V8 mated to automatic transmission delivers precision drive quality, firing first time and producing the spine-tingling rumble that only American motorcars can.

It is believed to have received a frame-on restoration by US marque specialists in 2002. Early in 2009, the Thunderbird was refinished in Raven Black. The original Special V8 and Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission were rebuilt and fuel and brake systems checked over at that time. The optional faux wire-wheel hubcaps are 1956-only optional equipment. Upgrades include a professionally installed air conditioning unit and concealed ventilation fans that offered unusual cockpit comfort. A four-core radiator, heavy-duty fan and supplemental electric cooling fan all help the car keep itself cool in parade situations.

The well-appointed interior in tasteful two-tone Red and White is finished to an excellent standard with comfort-contoured three-person full width seating, period correct control panel and radio, as well as carpets and door-cards. This car further benefits from not only possessing the rare hard top, but also a brand new fabric-grained vinyl soft-top (currently unfitted) which when not in use collapses discreetly behind the bench seating in roadster style.

You could be driving this car which is today offered with UK V5C Registration Certificate, UK MoT test certificate, sundry invoices and bills and subject to insurance, can be driven from the sale.