This is a wonderful one owner, rust free, never wrecked, Southern California since new T-Bird. This is the kind of car you hope to find!  This is a fully documented one-owner (well, very close), Southern California car since new.

This T-Bird was bought by Jimmy Cimarusti as a used car on February 21, 1957 from Montebello Motors, then located at 1112 Whittier Blvd in Montebello, CA.  Jimmy paid $3,541.16 and traded in his 1953 Chevy Bel Air sedan after being honorably discharged from the Army.

This was the beginning of a long time love affair.  Jimmy used the T-Bird to commute to his position with Sears in Los Angeles, where he retired after 50 years.  Jimmy was married to Jackie who is now consigning the T-Bird for us to sell.  Jackie and her family has enjoyed this ’56 T-Bird as a family daily driver for much of their 57 years of ownership!! Jackie has accumulated innumerable memories in the T-Bird.  She obtained her first drivers license in the car in 1964 when she was 25!  Jackie used the car as their family daily driver until 1968 when they bought their first station wagon (She comfortably enjoyed it as a daily driver while being pregnant with her two children).

The car has never been in an accident, has not had rust and has regularly been garaged, enjoyed, driven and loved.  And it shows.

This ’56 Bird is shown today in its original colors of Thunderbird Blue (otherwise known as turquoise) livery (Code T) with the factory original Black and White vinyl interior (Code XA).  It was built specifically to be sold new in Los Angeles on the 17th of January, 1956.

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It comes with the original hardtop (soft top delete), non-power steering or brakes, optional heater, aftermarket AM/FM cassette player, original owners handbook, toolkit and tonneaou cover.  Also included with the purchase is the original sales invoice (from 1957) and a wonderful trove of invoices and receipts.

The T-Bird is in beautiful condition.  It is not a trailer queen by any means, it is a car that is ready for touring or exhibiting at your local or regional car shows.  It has been professionally restored recently by the craftsmen at Cavallo Motorsports in Carlsbad, CA.  The restoration was in preparation of Jackie’s High School reunion (Class of ’56).

Overall it has a wonderfully consistent patina throughout.  The paint is high quality and was repainted several years ago.  The chrome and trim are a mixture of restored and original with nothing needing immediate attention.  The interior vinyl is all original and in remarkable condition, with newer carpeting and updating as necessary.  The engine compartment is very clean and maintained, but not detailed or prepped for show.  The chassis was cleaned and painted during the restoration several years ago.

The ’56 T-Birds all benefit from the upgraded 292 cu in V-8 with 200 hp.  This T-Bird features the original Ford-O-Matic transmission.  Mechanically the T-Bird is in very nice condition and needs no immediate attention.

The Hagerty Price Guide values a number 3 (Good) ’56 T-Bird at $31,400.  Normally California Black Plate cars with excellent history are sold one full grade above (Number 2- $47,600).  We have priced this example very appropriately to find a new loving home for this very special T-Bird.  See the details on the Hagerty Price Guide website:  http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vc=1192717

Rarely do you find such a wonderful example as this with all the right elements:  One Owner, Never Rusted, Southern California since new, CA Black Plate, No Accidents, Fully Documented, Sympathetically Restored.  For more information please call Harry at +1.602.245.7200 or email us at harry@classicpromenade.com.