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I'm not an expert on the tops, but it certainly looks like a t-bird top. I've seen aftermarket tops, and they general don't have latches that look original like that. It does appear to be missing the swing arm, which will affect its value.

Article in Early Bird Jan-Feb 2014 This month's issue of the Early Bird magazine has another article on carburetors, this time defending the Holly teapot. Their defense of the Holly is basically, "It has to be repaired and overhauled correctly, and it's fairly difficult". It's worth a read if...

Some things to notice on that car: - it's got the wrong rear bumper for a '56. That looks like a modified '55 bumper. If you want to change that out to original, that's expensive (if you can find one). If not, no biggie. - The hood isn't closed all the way - that could just be that he hasn't...

Interestingly enough, there's an article on carbs and distributors in the latest Early Bird magazine - I was reading it this morning. Summary: The original carbs and distributors were quite bad. It recommends replacing the carb with a new Edelbrock. The author seems to have achieved quite good...

How do you find a glass guy that knows how to replace the glass on these cars? Most of the glass guyus I call will cut the glass and install the hardware around it, but will not install it into the car.

Box End Wrench I agree, I've got the 312 with Fordomatic, and a box-end wrench does it for me. Sometimes it's difficult to get enough torque, though.

I just had the fuel pump on my 56 start leaking - bad. Anyway, does anyone have an advice on if I should replace it with an original mechanical pump or go for an electric pump? Would an electric fuel pump make it easier to start?

Here's answers to 3 of them: What's a swing bar? - I'll let the next guy answer this. Are they factory installed or aftermarket? - Next guy. Is the soft top deployment a one man job? - It's possible to do it with one man, but it isn't easy. It's best to have two people, or you could damage...

I've got a 56 with fender skirts. Do any of you have experience with radials on early birds with fender skirts? I worry that they will rub, and would like so of you guys' impressions before I fork over the cash for the tires. I would really like the improved driving characteristics of radials...

Early Bird Magazine FYI: There's an article on this in the latest issue of the Early Bird magazine.

What's the difference between 1955-1957 Thunderbird headlight rings and Fairlane headlight rings? None of the catalogs have Thunderbird rings (part number 13064), but some of them have Fairlane rings instead (part number 13063). I'm getting my car repainted, and my current rings are chromed and...

JFHNbird, Which Relay did you install? Do you remember the part number?

So, in your opinion (Don't worry, I won't hold you to it), 14512 is just a replacement for 14677, and the T-birds only have one (instead of 3 or 4, like the sedan has). That's what I expected, but wanted a sanity check. We'll see how it works out.

Backstory: my car spent some time in England. During that time, there was some freelance electrical work on it, and there are some British relays in the driver side door. The system has stopped working, and I'd like to rebuild the system, using original wiring harnesses and non-British parts...

Check your Data Plate Color options were printed on the data plate. Check this website for the color codes: The Classic 1956 Ford Thunderbird

My 56 had a lot of play in the steering wheel. Turns out, the only thing that was wrong was a missing cotter pin on the power-steering core.

Select-o-matic My 56 doesn't have it, but looking around on the web, I've found several references to "Select-o-matic" on the 57 t-bird (not "Seat-o-matic"). I didn't find any close-up pictures, but in the overall pictures, there does appear to be a control similar to the one you show.

I don't know anything in particular about the sticker, but Ford used "Lifeguard technology" a lot in it's advertising of 56 and 57 Fords. It was pretty much the first time an automaker attempted to make their cars safer - breakaway steering wheels, optional seatbelts, optional padded...

Forum's not dead Just not very active. I find it difficult to find info about Early Birds online. No blogs, not a lot of photos. My theory is that most T-bird owners are older and aren't that into sharing things online. Thus, not a lot of info. I find CTCI's website has some useful...

56 disc brake conversion I recently did the upgrade on my 56. The calipers were from a mid-60's Mustang, I think (I ordered a kit). However, they didn't attach directly to the spindle, there was a mounting plate that looked like it was custom for the t-bird. It required a bit of grinding on...