Introduced in 1955, Ford’s Thunderbird was targeted at people looking for a roadster with more room and power, as well as a distinctly higher level of luxury than could be offered by the typical imported two-seater. Henry Ford II decided to call it a “personal car,” and a new automotive niche was born. For 1956, the spare wheel was mounted on the rear bumper, Continental-style, a feature that would, as it turned out, be exclusive to that year’s Thunderbirds.

The restored Thunderbird offered here is powered by a 312-cid V-8 with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. The body is finished in white with a removable hardtop and features the exclusive Continental kit and fender skirts. The interior is done in matching red and white with a radio and hand-crank windows. It has independent coil front suspension, live rear axle with semi elliptical springs, whitewall tires with chrome wheel covers and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.