For Sale: 1955 Ford Thunderbird in Mesa, Arizona

A first-year 1955 Ford Thunderbird remains one of the most collectable '50s cars, and it's easy to understand why. With strong V8, great color combo, and desirable rare features for the time (like a power seat), this one offers a terrific balance of sporty and luxury in an iconic vintage package.


It's hard to find something more desirable than the first-ever T-Bird. Especially when it's in red. This was given a modern clearcoat application later in life, and has been treated with care ever since. The result is the kind of radiance you want on a sunshine-friendly convertible. And the added white pinstriping is a great premium touch. And speaking of premium, the brightwork package really set the Thunderbird apart from day one. It includes the wraparound front bumper, wide mesh grille, subtle hood scoop, and the twin tailpipes integrated through the rear bumper guards. And as you dig deeper, you'll start to see this one is a very well-coordinated total package. The wheels and tires are a great example. The wheel covers fit in with the brightwork while leaving a hint of the color-matched red steelie around the edge. Plus, the whitewalls look great against the pinstripe.


The black folding roof is in nice condition and looks good against the red exterior, but for true distinction, you'll want to enjoy top-down motoring. That's because the red with white accenting you saw on the exterior is also what you get on the inside, too. So this T-bird is a fantastically coordinated package whenever you're open to the world. It's also built to be a great mix of sporting and artful. You see it in seat that has bolstering for individual comfort. The machine turned panel has a great sporty look as it flows across the dash and onto both doors. The steering wheel is a mini work of art finished in red and chrome. And the plexiglass speedometer is pure '50s cool. More than just nostalgic, this classic really feels luxurious with the right features like the power adjusting seat.


Under the hood is the "Thunderbird Special" 292 cubic inch V8. The bright red engine block paint goes nicely with the rest of this car's color. Plus, it looks correct in all the right places, including the Thunderbird's special valve covers and the pie dish air topper with correct diaphragm surrounding half of it. This motor inhales deeply through a four-barrel carburetor, and it exhales with a sweet sound out of the dual exhaust. Plus, you may have noticed the floor shifter in the pictures. You get full control over the V8 with the three-speed manual transmission.


The sale comes with some great extras like a car cover, touch-up paint, and trickle charger. And the full photos (including the undercarriage ones) really show how clean this classic is all around, since it received a full restoration in 2010. So don't let this well-coordinated first-ever T-Bird slip away, call today!