1961 Ford Thunderbird will not start

If you can use 2 screwdrivers you are by passing the solenoid completely. At least ifyou are going from big post to big post on the solenoid. There are two small posts on the solenoid. The one closest to the battery is the one that the ignition switch activates. So take a test light ans see if when it put on start that power goes there. If it does then it eliminates the ignition switch and nuetral safety switch. If it doesn't then find your nuetral switch and try to jump that with a wire and see if the car starts. If it does then that wil be pat of your problem. You could also have a bad solenoid. If the power is good on the battery side and your ign switch activates it then the power should be the same on the other side. But you must make sure that your battery is in good shape before you do all of this. As this is a 55 has this been converted to 12v or is it the original 6 volt system? It will all check out the same though.