- Home
- Search for
Specifications Find automobile specifications - Directory
of Services Listing of dealers, companies and individuals offering cars, parts and services for antique, classic, vintage and muscle cars. - Engine
VIN CodesDecodes engine codes used in Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN's) for cars starting around 1953. -
Vehicle History
Vehicle History Reports for Classic Cars - Museums
Listing of automobile museums, as well as museums with some automotive related items. -
Clubs
Listing of Clubs and Organizations. -
Featured Cars
Take a Virtual Tour of our Featured Classic Car. - About Us
The Classic Car Database
Ads
Bookmark this page
| 1956 Ford Thunderbird Series 40A | ||
| Coupe | ||
| Standard Specifications | ||
| Show Summary |
| Original Base Price | $3,151.00 | |
| No. Produced | 15,631 | |
| Body | ||
| Body Maker | Ford | |
| No. Doors | 2 | |
| Passengers | ||
| Model Number | 40 | |
| Weight | ||
| Dimension | ||
| Wheelbase | 102 inches | |
| Length | 185.1 inches | |
| Width | 71.3 inches | |
| Height | 50.2 inches | |
| Front Tread | 56 inches | |
| Rear Tread | 56 inches | |
| Engine | ||
| Type | V8, Valve-in-head | |
| Displacement | 291.3 cu. in. | |
| Cylinders | 8 | |
| Bore & Stroke | 3 3/4 & 3 19/64 inches | |
| Compression Ratio-Std | 8.4 to 1 | |
| Compression Ratio-Opt | Not applicable | |
| Brake Horsepower | 202@4600 | |
| Rated Horsepower | 45 | |
| Torque | 289@2600 | |
| Main Bearings | 5 | |
| Valve Lifters | Mechanical | |
| Block Material | Cast Iron | |
| Engine Numbers | ||
| Engine No. Location | On engine side of dash under hood. | |
| Lubrication | Pressure to all bearings excluding wrist pin | |
| Carburetor | ||
| Type | Downdraft 4-barrel | |
| Make | ||
| Transmission | ||
| Type | Helical | |
| Drive | Rear wheel drive | |
| No. Of Gears | 3 | |
| Gear Ratios | ||
| 1st | 2.32 to 1 | |
| 2nd | 1.48 | |
| 3rd | 1 to 1 | |
| 4th | Not applicable | |
| 5th | Not applicable | |
| Reverse | 2.82 |
| Clutch Type | Single plate dry disc | ||
| Clutch Size | 11 inches | ||
| Axle Type | Semifloating | ||
| Differential | Hypoid | ||
| Differential Ratio | 3.73 to 1 | ||
| Suspension | |||
| Front | Independent ball joint with coil springs | ||
| Rear | Semi-elliptic leaf springs | ||
| Steering Gear | Worm & two tooth roller | ||
| Brakes | |||
| Service | 4 wheel hydraulic drum | ||
| Front Size | 11 inches | ||
| Rear Size | 11 inches | ||
| Emergency | Rear service brakes | ||
| Size | 11 inches | ||
| Other Systems Specifications | |||
| Exhaust System | Dual | ||
| Ignition System | Distributor and coil | ||
| Battery | 12 volt storage battery | ||
| Cooling System | Centrifugal pump with thermostat | ||
| Radiator | Fin and tube | ||
| Fuel Type | Premium | ||
| Mileage | |||
| Wheels, Rims & Tires | |||
| Wheel Type | |||
| Wheel Mfr | |||
| Wheel Size | |||
| Tire Type | |||
| Tire Size | 6.7 x 15 | ||
| Spare Location | Trunk | ||
| Capacities | |||
| Fuel | 17 1/2 Gallons | ||
| Oil | 5 Quarts | ||
| Transmission | 3 Pints | ||
| Cooling System | 21 Quarts | ||
| Rear Differential | 3 Pints | ||
| Front Differential | Not applicable | ||
| Transfer Case | Not applicable | ||
| Classic Rating | Milestone Car | ||
| VIN/ID | |||
| VIN/Serial no. | H 4th digit | ||
| VIN Description | Total Digits: 10 | ||
| Digits 1: Engine | |||
| Digits 2: Model year | |||
| Digits 3: Assembly plant | |||
| Digits 4: Series & Body style | |||
| Digits 5-10: Production number | |||
| VIN Location | Plate on left front door pillar post. | ||
|
| |||
| Additional Information | |||
| Serial Nos.: P6Ab100001 to P6Ab165955, P6Cb100001 to P6Cb171299, P6Db100001 to P6Db228747, P6Eb100001 to P6Eb247972, P6Lb100001 to P6Lb177406, P6Mb100001 to P6Mb162867, P6Rb100001 to P6Rb203920, P6Sb100001 to P6Sb181746, P6Pb100001 to P6P173597, P6Ab100001 to P6Ab165955, P6Bb100001 to P6Bb167774, P6Gb100001 to P6Gb196913, P6Fb100001 to P6Fb359550, P6Kb100001 to P6Kb169123, P6Ub100001 to P6Ub189496, P6Nb100001 to P6Nb171701. | |||
| References | |
| Newest Version of America's Most Exciting Car (1956) | Detroit Public Library (Nat'l Auto. Hist. Collctn) 5201 Woodward Detroit MI 48202 (313) 833-1456 www.detroit.lib.mi.us/nahc/index.htm |
| All the Facts about the '56 Ford | Detroit Public Library (Nat'l Auto. Hist. Collctn) |
| 56 Ford | Detroit Public Library (Nat'l Auto. Hist. Collctn) |
| 55 Ford The Fine New Car of it's Field | Detroit Public Library (Nat'l Auto. Hist. Collctn) |
| 1956 Ford Car Shop Manual | Los Angeles Public Library 630 West Fifth Street Los Angeles CA 90071 (213) 228-7000 www.lapl.org |
| Serial No. Book for US Cars 1900-1975 G. Brigham | Horseless Carriage Foundation 8186 Center St. Suite F P.O. Box 4119 La Mesa CA 91944-4119 (619) 464-0301 www.hcfi.org |
| Motor Age November 1948 | Horseless Carriage Foundation |
| Motor Age April 1956 | Horseless Carriage Foundation |
| Exterior Colors | ||
| Paint Type | Enamel | |
| Colors | Sage Green | |
| Silver Gray Metallic | ||
| Navajo Gray | ||
| Standard/Optional Equipment | ||
| Power steering | Opt | |