In the 1950s, nothing was hotter than customizing your brand-new car, and Rod & Custom editor Lynn Wineland (1928–2009) jumped right in. After buying this Thunderbird new, he invited readers to send in ideas for step-by-step custom projects. From 1956 to 1959, thirteen articles were published documenting the latest custom trends—this very car was the star! Under the hood, performance was boosted with triple carbs, headers, and side pipes. In 1956, it racked up 5,000 miles on a cross-country trip from California to Kansas City for the NHRA Championship Drags, then on to Bonneville, where Shirley Moon of Moon Equipment set a ladies’ speed record behind the wheel.

Built by Valley Custom, this T-Bird is a rolling showcase of 1950s custom style: ’56 Continental MK II headlight rings, ’56 Mercury wagon taillights, a stretched grille surround, shaved trim and emblems, a custom “floating bar” grille, and a rear roll bar. Power comes from a 292-cubic-inch Ford Y-block V8. This one-of-a-kind survivor isn’t just a car—it’s 1950s custom culture captured in steel and chrome!

Owned by The Garage Auto Museum of Salina, Kansas