WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

1956 'Baby Bird' Thunderbird

85RiverRAT

Working my way up!
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
345
Reaction score
727
Grandpa's new Hot Rod.

Documenting for my dad.

He's had a bunch of cars, and is responsible for mine and my brother's car/boating passions.
Over the years, and there are probably other's I don't remember he has had;
1955 Ford F-100
1972 Ford Capri
1979 Datsun 280Z
1931 Ford Model A Sedan
1957 Belair 210

At one point, we had the 71' Chevelle, 55' Belair and 69' Camaro all met blue. The Chevelle and Belair have since moved on, and I have my Camaro still.

He drove the 55' F-100 to high school, chopped, three on the tree, slotted mags. The Bel Air was a show quality resto, frame powder coated, every nut and bolt polished SS, it was too nice to enjoy.

He's been looking for a few years it seems to get back into the hobby. Both of us have scoured the internet looking for the diamond in the rough. The search spanned everything imaginable.
50's, 60's, 70's, Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Resto Mods, Survivors, Truck, etc. Even late model Corvettes, but that was squashed by the family because it is the token old guy car.

The goal was something mechanically sound, cosmetically presentable, driver ready, and something we wouldn't have reservations making modifications to, transforming it into a Mild Custom.

The Ford Thunderbirds struck a chord and has been in the search criteria, while entertaining everything from 55' Belair's to Mid 70's Pontiacs.

He came close to a Ford Galaxie 500, but being in New York and not able to fit into the garage killed that.

Randomly I was on Facebook Market place on a Saturday morning, saw this White 56' Ford Thunderbird. I took a screen shot, and asked 'Do you want me to reach out to this guy?' 'Sure'.

Went out to look at it on Sunday, and pulled her home the following Saturday.
IMG_6529.jpg
IMG_6543.jpg

IMG_6539.jpg
 

85RiverRAT

Working my way up!
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
345
Reaction score
727
IMG_6543.jpg


So what we know or what we were sold, is a 1956 Ford Thunderbird 'baby bird'. Colonial White, with Red Interior. This was a one owner car, prior to the last owner who had it just a short time. It has the original 312Y block freshly rebuilt, rebuilt trans, fresh steering components, within a year (2022 based on receipts). Holley 4000 'teapot' carburetor, power steering, power brakes. Upgraded Pertronix distributor and coil. The dash is 100% there, but aged. The bench has fresh vinyl and looks great.

There was apparently "bad blood" between the original owner and his son, the car was not left to the son, so he STOLE the hard top. Not ideal but we live in SO CAL, having the hard top is not a priority. This car also is not equipped with the convertible top, but also it was not a deal breaker. Mechanically this was way more sound then anything we had looked at previously. We considered the car to be ahead of the game by having a fresh powertrain in it. The cosmetics could be freshened up over time with less hassle compared to a powertrain overhaul.

Cosmetically we think it is all original, it needs some elbow grease to address some rust and corrosion on the chrome and the paint work needs to be buffed out. Otherwise she shows really well.



IMG_4482.jpg

IMG_6513 (Edited).jpg

IMG_6512 (Edited).jpg
 

85RiverRAT

Working my way up!
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
345
Reaction score
727
Dad's already been busy! Paint chip repair and a fresh coat of wax. :cool: 💪

IMG_4551.jpg

The front drums and or wheel bearings were making a hell of a noise. Dove into a front brake rebuild and inspection. Seems to be much better. Stopping the car was super sketchy!!

IMG_4571.jpg
 

Wheeler

I'm just here to bitch about others negativity.😁
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
24,921
Reaction score
39,178

85RiverRAT

Working my way up!
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
345
Reaction score
727
NEW TORQUE THRUST II's

You can put AR Torque Thrust on just about anything and it will look bad ass! The white walls were short lived! Though they garnered a huge response. A lot of people are going to be upset that they are gone already.

The date code on the white wall tires indicated that they are 16 years old. Either way new temporary white walls or some new set of tires would be needed to safely drive the car, or just go for broke and put the new shoes on. Dad went with option B. :cool:💪

The first major step to become my dad's vision of a MILD CUSTOM has come together. Glad I talked him into the 17's! ;) I told him the 15's are dated and to American Graffiti looking.

The whole car came down a bit too, the whole stance is lowered, which is cool!

IMG_4655.jpg

IMG_4656.jpg

71400608818__1C888BC4-F57B-4B6B-8E1E-D1407BAF231E.jpg
 

BUDMAN

HAVASU BOUND
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
11,603
Reaction score
13,536
I agree, American TT look bad ass on just about everything. Had a set of 17’s on my old 58chevy and that’s when 17” was considered big at the time


IMG_6429.jpeg
IMG_1850.jpeg
 

OC Mike

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
Messages
1,088
Reaction score
2,631
NEW TORQUE THRUST II's

You can put AR Torque Thrust on just about anything and it will look bad ass! The white walls were short lived! Though they garnered a huge response. A lot of people are going to be upset that they are gone already.

The date code on the white wall tires indicated that they are 16 years old. Either way new temporary white walls or some new set of tires would be needed to safely drive the car, or just go for broke and put the new shoes on. Dad went with option B. :cool:💪

The first major step to become my dad's vision of a MILD CUSTOM has come together. Glad I talked him into the 17's! ;) I told him the 15's are dated and to American Graffiti looking.

The whole car came down a bit too, the whole stance is lowered, which is cool!

View attachment 1267294
View attachment 1267295
View attachment 1267297
Looks Great!!
 
Top