Hot Rods Thunderbird Continental Kit

I am thinking about buying a 1956 Thunderbird. It has a Continental Kit that I would definitely remove. The question, can I replace it with a regular bumper without reworking or adding any sheet metal to the body? I read somewhere that the pan just below the trunk lid needs to be prefabricated. Any help would be really appreciated.

 

Yea I have a stock 56 T-Bird, and the swap is usually a 55 bumper with guards and bumper brackets, with the 55 gravel pan. I had one like that in the 1970's. The 56 will have a cutout in the gravel pan for the tire, so just removing the tire won't do it. Plus I believe the 56 gravel pan and bumper brackets are longer to make room for the tire.

 

I am thinking the 56 continental kit needs cut off but have not done it myself

 

so I would need a 55 bumper and the brackets plus a 55 gravel pan. Does someone make a reproduction gravel pan?

 

In '66 a friend bought a beater '56 'bird with half of the tire mount gone. We hit a yard trying to find a '55 bird bumper, but no luck. There was a '55 Customline with a perfect rear, tho. We did some quick measuring, & found the whole works, back bars & all, would bolt to a bird. And it looked a lot better than it sounds.

 

Thanks, that's a good place to start.

 

The fender shape and the frame area on the 55 and 56 are essentially the same. But, on the 56 there is a flat area, a filler if you will, that takes up some space between the bumper and the back end of the car. Most I've seen just cut that off from the 56. And then find a 55 bumper (you'll be surprised what they cost), shorten up the mounts letting it in closer,; like a 55. There are other details to make it work out, but it's mostly up to you as how clean you want it to look. Or you could just get a 55! The value on what you are removing used to be pretty high for those searching. But to each his own. 56 has a slightly heavier frame that is reinforced to accommodate the extra weight out back and I recall slightly heavier springs. I can't remember.
Guys have been doing this swap since the 56 first hit the streets.

 

Thanks y'sguy, that's very helpful!. Yes, you are right about the cost of a 55 bumper, hopefully I can sell the Continental Kit to pay for it.

 

snapped a photos of the back of my 55 for reference

 

I just looked at my 56 T-Bird and took this picture with the tire in the back position. Looks to me like you would just trim the stock 56 gravel shield. Then shorten the 55 bumper brackets to fit the bumper to the gravel shield. Now thinking about it I bet that was what was done to the 56 I had back in the 70's.

 

Is that BRACKET that has the rod with the nut and cotter pin welded to the gravel pan? It's hard to tell but it must be to hold everything in place

 

It's all bolted.

 

That looks like the way to go then. Remove the Kit, trim the pan, shorten the bumper brackets and install the bumper!

 

It’s been years ago, but one of the Tbird suppliers (probably Larry’ Thunderbird) used to have the rear patch panels. And the fiberglass reproduction guys, Regal Roadsters had front and rear bumpers that mounted with bolts from behind, so a nice clean look. When I was looking a a rear modification on my 55, they weren’t unreasonably priced. Who knows now, but it might be worth looking into.

Getting rid of the bumper overriders and the exhaust outlets, and using the 56 rear panel was done on a lot of 55’s.

 

Thank you Miker98038, I'll check those suppliers out.

 

Looking at BJR's picture, I had the body shop just trim that off to fit with the bumper off my daughter 55. I was worried about the exhaust outlet in the corners on the 56. Don't remember if anything was done there. I bought Regal Roadsters smooth bumpers but then let it all sit. That was 10 years ago. Maybe I should drag it out and get it done!

 

I remember somewhere I read a front bumper was used …. but I’m often wrong .

 

the 56 exhaust exits through the bumper at the corners. You'll have to decide where you want it to exit. 56 also had resonators on the exhaust if that matters? I think most guys just try to run the exhaust under the bumper straight out or turned down.

 

Take the bumper off the front and install it on the back. Then fit a split/quarter bumper on the front, (reproduction mk1 Ford Cortina and Escort are available as are 70's era Camaro), for a sportier look.

 

Since I'm going to have to replace the bumper anyway, I'll be using a 55. The tail pipes already exit out the back with turn downs.

 

I think you should drag her out and finish it up! not good to let um sit!

 

It has been sitting for about 30 years now, I did manage to get it painted! It really does need to be finished!

 

Flatrod, that Thunderbird blue one on the right looks like mine.

To my taste, one of the best things you can do to a 55-56 is get rid of the bumperettes, or what they call those things, front and rear. Putting bumpers without the bolts visible is next. Unfortunately, I never got around to it. Maybe I should get my lazy ass going and finished it too.

 

The 55 runs and drives but it has not been on the road for the last 9 years. It is my daughters, she quit driving it when she got pregnant. Mine does not have an engine, but it is ready to go back in.

Leaving the bumperettes off the back of a 55 will need to plug the exhaust holes through the body. She didn't want to do that.

 

Yes. I think the 56 panel smooths that out. But to each her own.

 

smoothly done there....