THUNDERBIRD 1956

FORD THUNDERBIRD 1956

(newray 1:43 scale)

Ford Thunderbird was manufactured in the United States from 1955 through 2005 — through thirteen generations and various body types.

The name "Thunderbird" was inspired by the name of an exclusive housing development and recalls the mythological creature common to Indigenous peoples of North America.

It entered production for the 1955 model year as a two-seater sporty car but, unlike the similar Chevrolet Corvette, the Thunderbird was never sold as a full-blown sports car. Ford described it as a personal luxury car, a description which named a new market segment. In 1958, the Thunderbird gained a second row of seats.

Equipped with a V8 engine, the Thunderbird could hit 110-120 mph. It was a smaller two-seat "personal luxury car", compared to the wallowing barges that roamed all the roads in the 1950s. It was designed to be a brisk luxury tourer, and not a sports car.

For the 1956 model, more trunk space was added, the spare wheel was mounted outside, the exhausts were moved to the ends of the bumper, and air vents were added behind the front wheels to improve cabin ventilation. To improve rear-quarter visibility with the removable hardtop in place, "porthole" windows were made available as a no-cost option. An optional 312 Y-block V8 was made available for those that wanted more performance.

"bring on the hay bales!"

"bring on the hay bales!"

1956 Advertisement

1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

(SUNNYSIDE)

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. Today it is built at a General Motors assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but in the past it was built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri. It was the first all-American sports car built by an American car manufacturer. The National Corvette Museum and annual National Corvette Homecoming are also located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The first generation is most commonly referred to as a "solid-axle", based on the fact that independent rear suspension (IRS) was not available until 1963. The first generation started in 1953 and ended in 1962.

With limited production due to the fact that they were all hand built and assembled, the 1953 Corvette, at 300 produced, is the rarest and most sought after year. With few changes except for color choices and production numbers, the 1954 is the last Corvette to have a 6 cylinder engine. In 1955 a milestone was made in Corvette history. It was the introduction of the first V-8 Corvette. With GM almost dropping the underpowered "Blue Flame" in-line 6 Corvette, this was like a new beginning for the car. The easiest way to differentiate the 1955 is the "V" in Corvette is enlarged and gold colored signifying the V-8 engine under the hood..

In 1956 a new body was designed for the car which changed it from a country club style sports car to a true American hot rod.