SOLVED: FW #90 Alexandra Special, Thunderado, Spook, based on '49 Ford by Ikered

[fromwien]

Clean lines...
Please identify this car for one point

[Skarbwls]

cadillac?

[fromwien]

The car looks like a Caddy, but isn't... No

[BattlePorQ]

European "Wanna-be-a-Caddy"?

[fromwien]

Not European

[BattlePorQ]

Argentina maybe?

[fromwien]

No

[BattlePorQ]

Modified production car like El Morocco?

[fromwien]

Yes, modified production car

[BattlePorQ]

Some its lines resemble me Corvette C1...

[fromwien]

No

[BattlePorQ]

Base car made in USA?

[fromwien]

Yes

[BattlePorQ]

Made to resemble a Caddy in a movie?

[fromwien]

No

[fromwien]

Experts?

[fyreline]

1956 Thunderado, featured on a 1956 cover of Motor Life magazine. Built by Clark Alexander, of Miami, Florida, it is based on a 2-seat Ford Thunderbird with custom bodywork to resemble the 1957-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. but in convertible roadster form rather than a 4-door hardtop.

[norberthanke]

La Espada Motorama showcar 1954 General Motors

[fromwien]

Twice no

[fyreline]

"1956 Thunderado, featured on a 1956 cover of Motor Life magazine. Built by Clark Alexander, of Miami, Florida, it is based on a 2-seat Ford Thunderbird with custom bodywork to resemble the 1957-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. but in convertible roadster form rather than a 4-door hardtop."

Are you saying this answer is incorrect? Please re-check your sources.

https://mr-magazine.com/products/motor-life-october-1956-thunderado-052417nondbe

[fromwien]

Dear 'fyreline', for sure you found the correct car. Pardon, it has a completely different name in the magazine, I have!!!
The name 'Clark Alexandra' (not 'Alexander') is mentioned too, but not as the builder..
..and in my source, the car isn't based on a '56 T-Bird, but another more unusual chassis..
I cannot be sure, which is the correct one of the two sources.
Please be so kind and try to find out more. I want to award you with the point, and know as frustrating it can be, if you have found the right car, and the puzzle-creator asks for other details.

'Thunderado' may be a nick-name, based on the car's appearance. As there are some other creations around, wearing this logic composite-name...

LOCKED for you

[fyreline]

This car was pretty extensively covered in the automotive magazines of the time, and in retrospective articles since then. It is certainly a 2-seat Thunderbird chassis, just going by what can be seen in the photos . . . and Clark Alexander is correct, not Alexandra. I think your magazine had some bad information.

In the end, your puzzle, your choice. Do whatever you feel is right.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=37254

[fromwien]

I won't bother you anyway, but:
1) Your source (https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=37254) doesn't mention a '56 T-Bird-chassis. Or have I overseen something?
I have two proofs about another chassis.
2) Again two sources mention the name 'Clark Alexandra', only yours 'Clark Alexander'

If you have more proofs (as you said: 'extensively covered in the automotive magazines of the time'), which support your theory about a '56 T-Bird-chassis (as your mag-article doesn't in my opinion), please tell me. I am eager to follow from an imagination or theory to the result.

[fyreline]

The following is from the excellent and extensive Cadillac Database web site, which has existed for many years to document any and all vehicles even remotely related to the Cadillac. I'm willing to bet you could find many interesting and challenging cars there for future puzzles. That's where I first saw the Thunderado many years ago, and I remembered it when you posted your puzzle. Here's what they had to say:

"This would-be Eldorado Brougham convertible was featured on the cover of Motor Life for October 1956. As you can see from the size of the gentleman at the wheel, it is a much smaller car than the Brougham.  In fact it is built on the chassis of a 1956 Ford Thunderbird.

Again, your puzzle, your choice. I am satisfied that I found and correctly identified the puzzle car. Thanks for posting it.

[fromwien]

Thanks for interesting information and kind words. I hope, you will not feel disappointed, to open the puzzle for all again..