1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

P6FH295468roadUnited States

Engine: 312 cu in (5.1L) OHV V8, 4-barrel carburetor, 225 bhp at 4,600 rpm
Colour: Fiesta Red with matching red and white interior trim

A 1956 Ford Thunderbird two-seat convertible, finished in Fiesta Red with matching red and white interior, powered by the 312 cubic inch Y-Block V8 with Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. The car underwent a concours-level restoration by Amos and Justin Minter of Minter Thunderbirds, Dallas — regarded as the foremost specialists in two-seat T-Bird restoration. Subsequently acquired by collector Bernard Fornas, it has never been exhibited at a US show.

Ownership

2025-08-15Auction sale
Estimate US$110,000 – US$130,000
Bonhams catalogue lot →
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Minter Thunderbirds
partial documentation
Dallas-based Thunderbird restoration specialists who carried out the concours-level restoration; the car originated from their workshop.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Bernard Fornas
partial documentation
Acquired the car as part of a curated, design-focused collection; the car had never been exhibited in the United States prior to the auction.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Minter Thunderbirds
Full concours-standard restoration encompassing paint, chrome, bodywork, engine bay, upholstery, and trim, carried out to the highest accuracy for a two-seat Thunderbird. A modern AM/FM radio styled to resemble the original and an electronic ignition system were also fitted.
Amos and Justin Minter are regarded as pre-eminent specialists in two-seat Thunderbird restoration, having won every major relevant concours restoration award, many of them repeatedly.

Are you the owner of this car?

This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.