Slight surface rust is seen, but all remains structurally sound and all buttoned up. Underneath is looking just fine, and frame is from the body manufacturer Regal Roadsters. The engine bay is fairly clean and shows some corrosion albeit light in nature. Also, from that similar car are an AOD 4-speed automatic, and an 8.8 rear axle. Nice black carpet floods the floors, and all is looking good inside right down to the modern automatic shifter.Ī flip of the fiberglass scooped hood, and we are greeted by a 5.0-liter mass air fuel injected V8, thanks to a 1989 Mustang. Power door locks are also added all in 12-volt convenience. A digital AM/FM/MP3/USB/Cassette Radio, and climate control with A/C. Modern AutoMeter gauges sit within a curved upward dash front, fronted by a modern steering wheel with cruise control buttons in the spokes of the wheel. More machined metal trimmings for the dash front, which has taken on a more squared off diversion from the original curved Ford design. Moving inside white inserts are surrounded by smooth blue bolsters on the front bench which appears as dual buckets. Power window toggles are noted on the doors. Separating these two surfaces is a long and perfectly curved door pull, wrapped in blue vinyl. Starting with the door panels with an aluminum swoop diamond textured pattern up top and a tuck and roll white vinyl below. Last a shout out to the jet age with the jet engine styled round taillights, and inverted V backup lights to end the fin line on this sports car.Ī swing of the door and the original bird styling cues abound. For all corners we note the turbine style wheel covers, and thin whites wrapping them. All chrome and badging is correct right down to the hood scoop trim, and rear bumper bump out, all in mirror like chrome. Regal Roadsters, of Madison, Wisconsin is the manufacturer, and this car comes with the optional “Continental” rear bumper, complete with enclosed spare attachment. A cream convertible top, which is removable, as well as a cream port hole hardtop with rolling stand allow you to drive this car year-round. If you love classic cars, and are on a budget, take note of this kit example, and you can be in the game for less hassle and cost than you may think.īathed in Midnight Blue Metallic imbedded into the fiberglass and metal reinforced body, which makes it very difficult to tell a difference from the original. It is reliable, and not fraught with the known problems of an original. This convertible, with porthole hardtop, can be driven year-round.

Gracing our hallowed halls here at Classic Auto Mall we have an example of a replica of the 1956 Ford Thunderbird, only not manufactured by Ford? Yup! It's a kit car, and it looks very similar to the original, however without the rust (because its fiberglass), and all up to date powertrain, and suspension. They are also known as kit or component cars and come in parts or as a complete vehicle. Replica cars are copies of drivers' favorite vehicles and are designed to resemble the original as closely as possible, if only in appearance. 1956 Ford Thunderbird Replica Convertible

57 thunderbird kit car