Show all images
View video

Ford Thunderbird Cabriolet V8 — 1956

“The finest Ford Thunderbird in the world.” Sold new in Sweden, the car was owned for 42 years by a Thunderbird expert who set out to achieve the perfect restoration. This was carried out with the help of professional craftsmen in both Sweden and the U.S. By the time of the major international Thunderbird convention at the turn of the millennium, the car was completed and put on display. It received the highest score ever given – judged on everything from authenticity and finish to functionality.

Michael Luft
Museums & Collections
Send message
Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
Send message

"Mint condition in every detail. Even though 25 years have passed since the restoration, there are no flaws whatsoever. No scratches, blisters, oxidation, or other imperfections. It starts instantly, and the engine purrs like a kitten. The car has been driven only 78 kilometers since the restoration, and everything still works perfectly."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
17 APR 13:00
430 003SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18126
ULRICEHAMN
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
1 300 - 1 500 000 SEK
Not reached
PLACE YOUR BID (MINIMUM 435 003 SEK)
Non deductable VAT
SEK
Auction fee: 5% or min. 2900 SEK (incl VAT)
BID HISTORY
31726
14 APR 19:10
430 003 SEK
3068
14 APR 16:26
425 003 SEK
17601
14 APR 14:25
390 000 SEK
9163
13 APR 21:30
385 000 SEK
6042
13 APR 18:09
380 000 SEK
LOGIN TO PLACE BIDS
You need an account and be logged in to place bids.
Tip and share
Michael Luft
Museums & Collections
Send message
Rebecca R Bengtsson
Case manager
Send message

"Mint condition in every detail. Even though 25 years have passed since the restoration, there are no flaws whatsoever. No scratches, blisters, oxidation, or other imperfections. It starts instantly, and the engine purrs like a kitten. The car has been driven only 78 kilometers since the restoration, and everything still works perfectly."

Description

This is the car that has been named the world’s finest Ford Thunderbird.
A dream realized through the work of skilled professionals in both Sweden and the United States. In the year 2000, the restoration was completed — and the result exceeded even the highest expectations.

In fact, this Ford Thunderbird received the highest score ever awarded by the international Ford Thunderbird club. The evaluation covered authenticity, functionality, condition, and more.

The owner who carried out the restoration was one of Sweden’s most passionate Thunderbird enthusiasts. He purchased the car in 1977 and carried out an initial restoration between 1978 and 1982, already then making it one of the finest in Sweden. After 12 years of ownership, he decided to take it to the ultimate level. His goal: to win the “Gold Medallion” at the Thunderbird Clubs’ national convention in the U.S., and to receive the “Excellence in Authenticity” award – where everything is judged, from factory-correct details and technical functionality to finish and fitment.

After years of meticulous work on the chassis, drivetrain, electrical system, body, paint, and interior, the car was nearing completion. This process included several trips to the U.S. to collect NOS (New Old Stock) parts and to photograph untouched original cars in detail — down to the shape of every screw head and the exact placement of hose clamps.

In late 1999, as the car neared completion, it was shipped in a container to the U.S. to have a new soft top professionally installed in Los Angeles by the most renowned specialist in the field. Afterwards, many hours were spent polishing the car before it was presented at the CTCI (Classic Thunderbird Club International) national convention in Chicago, summer 2000.

There, the car was judged by the most respected experts in the Thunderbird world — evaluated on over 1,000 points and details. Only the cars that score over 290 out of the first 300 points for condition and function are awarded the Gold Medallion, and then proceed to be judged by a new panel for Excellence in Authenticity.

Technical data

  • Year
    1956/1956 
  • Registration date
    1956-01-01 
  • Mileage
    00782,3km 
  • Registration Number
    DTR309 
  • Chassis Number
    M6FH268910 
  • Kw / hp
    147 / 190 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Manual 
  • Interior finish
    Vinyl 
  • Colour
    Red 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    The V8 engine (292) starts instantly and runs smoothly across the entire rev range. The transmission shifts beautifully, with precise steering and strong brakes. All buttons and controls function like in a brand-new car.

  • Interior condition:

    Equivalent to new in every aspect. Driven only 78 kilometers since the restoration.

  • Exterior condition:

    Exceptional bodywork, with perfect panel alignment and gaps – better than when the car originally left the factory. No filler beneath the paint, and therefore no sink marks or imperfections. In other words, the car was painted over a flawless body.

    During the restoration, every component that could be replaced with new was replaced – most with NOS parts. New windows, new interior, all chrome details, rubber components, engine parts, soft top, and more. Everything was installed with the highest attention to authenticity and factory-correct fit and finish.

    It’s worth noting that the underside of the car is slightly dusty, as the final stretch of road to the owner’s house is gravel – but the car has only been driven in good weather.

  • General condition:

    There isn’t much more to say about the condition and functionality – it speaks for itself. On top of that, this is an exceptionally beautiful car in both design and detail, making it a very attractive investment, especially from a long-term and international perspective. Early Thunderbirds in show condition are already being sold at prestigious auctions and exhibitions in the U.S. for amounts exceeding $150,000.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Avst 2022-10-27
Ursprungsbesiktning: 1956-01-01 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 1956-01-01
Senast godkända besiktning: 2019-04-24
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 3

Facts about the model

Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette became an instant success when it was introduced as a 1955 model.
The idea behind the Ford Thunderbird came from two men – designer George Walker and Ford executive Louis D. Crusoe. Their vision was to offer a sportier car within Ford’s model lineup. The specifications for the new Ford called for a two-seater open car with a fabric soft top. To keep costs down, the car would utilize as many existing production components as possible.

The ambition was to create a car with better acceleration than its competitors and a top speed exceeding 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). The new sports car should also be instantly recognizable as a Ford, with a clear visual connection to the brand’s standard models.

Unlike its main rival, the Chevrolet Corvette, which initially had only an inline-six engine, the Ford Thunderbird came equipped with a V8 from the very beginning.

It is said that the model still lacked a name as production approached. Louis D. Crusoe allegedly announced a company-wide naming competition, with a $250 suit as the top prize. It was Alden Giberson, a designer at Ford, who came up with the name Thunderbird – and won the contest.

The Thunderbird was unveiled to the public on February 20, 1954, at the Detroit Auto Show. With a starting price of $2,695, it became an immediate hit. Buyers were drawn not only to the car’s design, but also to its driving dynamics and performance.

The Thunderbird name would remain in Ford’s lineup all the way until 2005. The first generation – which many consider the most beautiful – was produced only for model years 1955, 1956, and 1957. Just over 53,000 units were built during those three years. A modest number for a Ford, but still far better than what the Corvette managed during the same period.

Location and viewing Information

Location: Ulricehamn

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Michael Luft
+46 708-20 21 13
michael@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-05-01.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

Thank you for following our auctions!

We will send you an email when bidding starts.


STÄNG

Tack för visat intresse, du kommer nu få nyheter och information om kommande auktioner.

STÄNG