OK, so maybe not as cool as a Crown Victoria, but this car is loaded with character...JT has officially named it "Doc." I found it in January in the Tradewinds, and it's a virtual time-capsule. It is bone stock, save for an aftermarket radio (the original one is still there too) a Pertronix pointless ignition conversion, and an aftermarket air cleaner. Doc is solid as a tank, too. It has the Thunderbird 292 Y-block with 4-barrel carb and Fordomatic transmission. Definitely a little tired and puffs some smoke, but runs like a clock. The original black paint had been repainted at some point, and has chipped, peeled, and faded, but there is only minimal surface rust in places...very solid and straight overall. The interior is HUGE...I need to install seatbelts so I can start cruising with JT.

Doc, as found at his old home, and back at his new home-

serial #M6MT-162515
M=292 w/4bbl., 6=1956, M=Memphis, TN assembly plant, T=body series code, 162515= consecutive unit number

Body-73C= Town Sedan, Color-A=Black, Trim-L=gray random dot cloth/vinyl interior, 15H= August 15, 1955 assembly date, 255B=?????

First order of business has been a basic tune-up and shakedown, and Doc has responded well. Oil change, new plugs, a thorough de-gunking and cleaning, and Doc is starting to shape up. New parts include a speedo cable, new taillight lenses, high-output headlights (big difference), and lots of gaskets and seals. The taillights looked so good, I decided to start stripping paint to prep a panel or two for paint. Using aircraft paint stripper, razor blades, wire brushes, and sandpaper, it actually went faster than expected. Doing one panel at a time as weekends would allow, I've stripped the trunk, roof, hood, and rear section of the car. The bare metal looked fantastic, with virtually no corrosion. All bare metal was immediately treated with a rust converter followed by DuPont Variprime. That's followed with a high-build primer-filler, then lots of blocking, respraying, blocking, respraying....then, finally, several coats of Dupont Centari Black. Then more sanding, respraying, sanding, respraying, sanding, polishing...Doc is starting to show a lot of potential. We've decided, however, that solid black is a bit austere for such a happy car, so in deference to 100% originality, Doc will be treated to a 2-tone paint scheme of Black on all upper surfaces, and Ford 1956 Bermuda Blue below the chrome spear. Never a factory paint scheme, but will look oh-so-cool.