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 Thunderbird offered here is finished in Colonial White with a fresh white and red two-tone vinyl interior. Under the hood is a 312-cid “Y-block” V-8 fueled by a four-barrel carburetor with dual exhaust and a floor-shift automatic transmission. The car sports a removable hardtop, radio, fender skirts and wide whitewall tires with stainless wheel covers.

The first-generation two-seat Thunderbird had an exclusivity all its own, produced for only three years before being replaced with a four-seat model. This is an opportunity to acquire a very fine example.