Thank you guys for all the info. After restoring the 56 Bird.  I'm going in another direction on this car.This car is going to be a complete driver. Not that 56 isn't. This car is our of Southern California.No rust, no bondo, 100% stock. I have collected NOS parts for over fifteen years. This will not be a body off restoration. But ever part on the car will be done as desired. This will not be a race. but something that will be a little different. I have all the parts to put a McCollough Supercharger on the cacr. car..

I'm close to getting my '57 Bird running again after starting a nice driver restoration several years go. One piece of advice I have is to restore your old parts rather than replace with reproduction parts wherever possible. Repo stuff is just not usually near the quality of the original parts.

Having successfully done a '56 'Bird previously, you know better what's ahead than most likely do.

My understanding is that while '55 and '56 'Birds appear very similar, there are many differences in the 'bones' of the two.  The change in the thickness of the steel used in the frame sections from the first year to the second would be an example.

Several acquaintances here in the Northeast have emphasized the wisdom in obtaining as complete, correct, and 'solid' a car as possible.  Their point has been that while more expensive to obtain, you'll expend far less time, money, and effort in accomplishing the restoration.

There are a number of 'Bird owners who are Forum members.  Perhaps they'll be able to be of particular help as you work through your undertaking.  Actually, anything that's y-block or y-block vehicle related, there are an amazing number of knowledgeable and helpful owners that are quick to share their hands-on experiences.

Best Wishes with your project, Coyote.    


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

I will get to this project this winter.