Pickford’s third husband, silent screen star and bandleader, Charles (Buddy) Rogers, put this car up for auction in 1994 through the Blackhawk Collection, in California. She was a pioneer of early film as well as one of the founders of United Artists in 1919. A commemorative plaque and statue in her honour grace the front courtyard. She was born in 1893, in a house on Toronto’s University Avenue where the Hospital for Sick Children now stands. It was first owned by Canada’s most famous female movie star of the silent film era, Mary Pickford. The car had 56,914 miles on it when I became the owner.Īlthough the Thunderbird is an iconic model in the history of the Ford Motor Company, what makes this car extra special is who the original owner was. It came equipped with factory-installed seatbelts, an automatic transmission, power steering, 4-way power seats, a Town & Country radio, fender skirts and a 312 c.i.

It was shipped to Bill Heath Motors in North Hollywood, Calif., and the price listed on the build sheet was $3,036.10 (U.S.). The car is the original colour, Colonial White, with black and white interior. My 1956 Ford T-Bird was born in Dearborn, Mich., on Feb. The first one I bought was a 1930 Model A Ford coach, and then I moved on to Thunderbirds. I have been an antique car buff for more than 50 years.

Tbird 1956