5.0 liter 302cui V8 engine

3-speed automatic transmission

3,400 lbs (1,540 kg) - estimated

Unsure of what to initially name the car, Ford offered a $250 reward for whoever could come up with the best car name, resulting in over 5,000 car names being submitted

1956 was the only year for the Ford Thunderbird to feature the spare wheel outside of the trunk

Ford hailed the first generation of Thunderbird as “a personal car of distinction”