202 hp, 312 cu. in. overhead valve V-8 engine, single four-barrel carburettor, Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, independent front suspension, live rear axle suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102 in.

• Correct Peacock Blue exterior

• Ford-O-Matic transmission

• Offered from the Zegwaard Collection

Ford may have been late to the party that Chevrolet started, but when they arrived in 1955, their new Thunderbird was the guest of honour. Immediately, the attractive steel V-8 powered two-seater owned the market, outselling the plastic Corvette sixteen 155 to 700. For 1956, Ford continued its winning ways with 15,631 Thunderbirds sold, compared to just 3,467 Corvettes.

With a snug-fitting top, roll-up windows, plenty of power, and first-rate build quality, the Thunderbird was great for the company’s image and brought customers into the showroom to buy other models. Changes from the first year 1955 models to the 1956 models were relatively minor and included door vent windows, a bumper-mounted spare tyre to free up boot space, dual exhausts that were routed through the bumper dagmars, and a porthole for the optional hardtop.

This particular 1956 model was recently refinished in the iconic colour of Peacock Blue and is equipped with the equally-iconic porthole hardtop and the floor-shift Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. The bias-ply whitewall tyres are mounted on steel wheels with chrome wire hubcaps. The interior is correctly trimmed in Peacock Blue and white vinyl with blue carpeting, and it is in fine condition. The older restoration is wearing well and the strong-sounding V-8 will sound even better after a routine tune-up. Few cars of the period offer such style and value, and even fewer are so usable today.