Ford’s beloved Baby ‘Bird enters its second year on the market in this original promotional spot. Check out the careful improvements for 1956. 

Changes to the Ford Thunderbird for 1956 weren’t major, but they were significant. To start with, rectangular fresh air vents were added to the front fenders just behind the wheel openings (one easy way distinguish a ’56 T-Bird from the very similar ’55 model even at middle distance). The crossed-flag badge on the front header panel was replaced with a stylized Thunderbird logo, among a number of small trim changes, and the exhaust outlets were relocated to the corners of the rear bumper.

Of course, the most visually obvious change for ’56 was the relocation of the spare tire from inside the trunk, where it took up more than 40 percent of the available cargo volume, to perched over the rear bumper in the continental position. While the external spare freed up considerable cargo space, the altered weight distribution didn’t do the car’s handling any favors, T-Bird experts report. Model year 1956 also saw the official debut of the distinctive porthole side windows for the removable hardtop, a feature designed to improve visibility and reduce the claustrophobic effect created when the roof was in place.

Despite the tangible improvements for 1956, Thunderbird sales actually slipped a tiny bit, from 16,155 to 15,631 units. The audience for the 1955-1957 Baby ‘Birds was loyal and enthusiastic, but small—a traditional challenge for two-seaters in the American marketplace. When the four-seat 1958 Thunderbird was introduced in 1958, sales more than doubled. But in this 1956 commercial, the original T-Bird is presented as an intimate personal luxury vehicle, no rear seat required or desired. Video below.