QuestionQUESTION: I was looking at a 1956 Bird to purchase recently and had the keys to open and inspect the trunk. But I could not determine the location/operation of the continental kit release to allow for opening of the trunk. I also noticed the fuel filler is behind this kit. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: If it is like mine, there is a lever hidden behind the spare wheel on the right side of the wheel, which you lift upward against the pressure of a spring - once lifted, the wheel will spring out toward the rear of the car - be ready to catch it to prevent any damage from the impact of the heavy wheel against the stop.
Once the wheel is tilted outward, you can reach behind it to access the trunk lid.
If you cannot find the lever (it is usually pretty well disguised with flat black paint), you'll have to contact the owner of the car for directions.
Dick
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you. The location was as described, I was just looking from the wrong angle. The vehicle appears to be in excellent condition with no sign of rust in the trunk or elsewhere. The vehicle is being described as largely original with minor "refreshening" as required and the description appears accurate. Are there any items for this particular vintage I should be aware of including maintenance items? (i.e. modern oils, oil bath air filters, etc.)
AnswerThese car's mechanical parts are very standard for the industry at that time - so any competent mechanic can evaluate and maintain the car for you. It is really just 56 Ford running gear mounted on a smaller frame.
If it is equipped with an oil bath air cleaner, that's a plus in my mind, although they are messy to take care of, this doesn't need to be done very often. Directions will be in your shop manual, which you should purchase, along with the owner's manual. The automotive literature dealers can supply these. I use Ed Faxon at www.faxonautolit.com, but there are many others out there too.
Modern oils are fine for the car, with the caution that I would not use the very thin oils intended for current production engines (to boost their fuel economy) - use either SAE30W premium brand oil (I use NAPA stores premium line) or if you live in a colder climate - you can use Chevron 15W40 oil. Do NOT use 5W30 or 10W30 - it is too thin for our old engines. The transmission is happy with the current Dexron/Mercon ATF if it is automatic, or if it is manual, use GL-4 rated SAE90W in cold climates, and SAE140W in warmer climates. Note that if it has overdrive, there are two gearboxes to check, in addition to the rear axle. All use these same lubricants. Do NOT use GL-5 rated lubricants - they are too thin for old cars, and have additives that are not good for our old transmissions and axles.
I urge you to take it to an independent mechanic and have him look it over carefully, with it up on a lift so he can check for hidden rust, and also inspect it with a magnetic body filler device to check for previous rust repairs. Unless the car has spent its whole life in the desert southwest, it would be extremely unlikely that it has no rust damage.
I don't know where you live, but you must bear in mind that there are different meanings to the phrase "no rust" in different parts of the country. Out here in the Palm Springs area of California where I live, "no rust" means there is no rust - in other words the frame and suspension parts are still showing the original paint and a little work with soap and water will show the original markings and inspection marks even on the suspension parts.
"No rust" for cars from east of the Rockies means no rust that you can see from outside the car - but you need to check the undercarriage and the floors under the mats, and especially the body panels around the rear wheels and the rear edges of the front fenders for hidden rust - which the seller may not even be aware of - it isn't so much that people lie, (although if it is a dealer selling it, be VERY cautious), but rather that they don't use the words the same was we do out here.
You should join one of the T'bird clubs-= there is an "Early Bird" club which will give you many opportunities to learn about the car and sources of information and service. Google Thunderbird clubs on the internet, you'll find them.
Good luck with it. The 56 is the best looking of the early 'birds, in my opinion, although you will suffer from heat in the summer months (they added side vents in '57 to alleviate this problem) and the continental kit spare tire arrangement, while cute, makes access to the trunk a real pain in the back!
Dick
