The 1956 Thunderbird offered minimal changes from the previous year, the most notable including a new rear bumper, a winged badge on the nose, new taillights, front fender vents to keep the passenger compartment cooler, new interior seat, and door panels and new exterior colors. Like Corvette, Ford quickly learned that more power equated to more sales—newly optional was a 312 cu. in. V-8 producing 215 hp with manual transmission and 225 hp with the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.

Perhaps the most notable changes were the addition of portholes in the optional hardtop to improve visibility and the decorative mounting of the spare tire on the rear of the car outside the trunk. Ford built 15,631 of the two-seat Thunderbirds for the 1956 model year, including this example finished in classic Raven Black over a white-and-black interior.

Sold new at Graham Ford in Downey, California, the car is accompanied by a copy of the original invoice. It remained with the same family until 2006, and a body-off restoration, including powder coating of the frame, was completed in 1999. The second owner sold it to the consignor in 2015. Nicely equipped, it includes power steering, brakes, windows, and seat; Ford-O-Matic transmission; the 312 cu. in. V-8; Town & Country radio (currently not operational); and both tops. In addition, a Ford-O-Matic shop manual, ’56 Ford shop manual, and owner’s manual are included.

The consignor notes that a ’57 model distributor has been installed for better reliability, which renders the tachometer nonfunctional. The ’56 distributor, however, is included with the sale. Period-correct factory accessory seat belts were sourced and installed for added safety. The consignor describes it as an exceptionally clean car.