Vehicle Description
1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
Ford had only planned to build 10,000 T-Birds for the 1955 model
year. Within the first 10 days after its debut in Detroit, it had
over 3,500 orders. It would end up selling over 16,000 before the
year was out. And that was no small task; at over $4,000
fully-loaded, the Thunderbird could be twice as expensive as a
base-model Ford coupe, and as much as the far more capable Jaguar
XK140. But the Thunderbird was also the first successful niche car
built by one of The Big Three. It was the first time a singular
model that wasn't a big coupe, sedan, station wagon, or truck rose
to the top of a company's lineup and took hold of the public's
imagination. You may not have been able to afford a T-Bird, or it
may have been too impractical for you, but you wanted one.
For consignment, year 1 version 1 of the soon to be iconic Ford
Thunderbird. And you WILL want one! This one is the beneficiary of
a frame off restoration which happened in the early 90's and still
retains its shine and certainly curb appeal. Bathed in Thunderbird
Blue it does not get any more mid 50's looking than this wonderful
2 seat bird. The entire package is very attractive, but the thing
that sends this writer over the top is the color. It is like none
other here in our vast halls of some unique inventory, and we have
a few of these 55's. This one is top flite!
Exterior
Starting upfront, we can see a beautiful original and mirror like
bumper with mini "Dagmar" style bumper-ettes attached which take on
a jet engine like appearance. Directly above is a well-preserved
shiny egg crate grille and flanking this on either side is a single
visored headlight. A long scooped hood rolls its way back to the
passenger compartment which is small, and is topped with a
convertible top in white canvas and sporting a clear plastic rear
window. On the back small fins tip round taillights again,
emulating jet age design, and another clear bumper this time the
"Dagmars" house the exhaust tailpipes. The gas cap door utilizes a
crossed checkered flag with a cloisonne Ford shield just above.
White whites surround chromed spoked wheels which have a central
FORD badged "cereal bowl" center hub. All metal is painted in
Thunderbird Blue paint and has nicely preserved gaps with no rust
seen on its exterior. From its fender skirts to the chromed venting
on the front quarters to the tasteful fins and jet engine
taillights, "Dagmars" and all, it's super snazzy.
Interior
The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in white vinyl with
some turquoise swooping upward long armrests and a dark blue green
padded window sill attached at the top. There is a large panel of
machined aluminum through the center which is the background for
the door actuator. These are nice and clean and look the part as
they melt into the curved dash keeping the machined metal line
through the center. A fan style black background with white
numbered speedometer is above on the painted metal dark turquoise
dash top and lighter turquoise below the machined strip of
aluminum. Flanking on either side of the speedo are round gauges,
one a factory tachometer, and the right a clock. Also noted is a
newer version of the AM/FM/Cassette radio neatly installed in the
dash center. Fronting a near perfect bench seat is a black rubber
booted small shift lever well within reach of the driver on the
hump. The seat is complete with turquoise smooth bolsters and white
tuck and roll inserts and some piping at the seams, and it
stretches from door to door. Nice condition dark turquoise
carpeting floods the floors, and the turquoise bakelite and chrome
horn ring steering wheel fronts the pristine dash. Noted are power
seat adjustments on the door. A turquoise top boot is on the rear
body/passenger sill and awaits to cover the top when it is in the
down position. Totally delicious in this presentation.
Drivetrain
A 292ci V8 engine is in a clean and shiny engine bay. It is topped
with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a chromed air cleaner cover. Red is
reserved for the block, and shiny turquoise Thunderbird badged
horizontal ribbed valve covers add some more bling to the bay. A
3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, and a 3.73 Dana 44 rear
axle complete the drivetrain.
Undercarriage
No even a hint of surface rust, and the X frame, floor pans and
rockers are really beautifully preserved sporting a nice
undercoating of rustproofing. Independent coil springs for the
front, and black shiny leaf springs for the rear make up the
suspension with drum brakes all around. A-May-Zing-Lee preserved
for its ripe age.
Drive-Ability
Not a ton of room in these early birds, but once in, they are
comfy. This car fired right up and took off for the test track
where it flew around in circles with ease. A strong accelerator,
and good stopper are also good qualities to have in such an early
car and they are there. The clock does not tick, I noticed the
tachometer reads high, and the factory temp gauge is not working
either.
All in all a wonderful example that has been restored a bit ago but
still retains its luster and charm. A convertible and climate
control assure you happy motoring throughout the year, although
with a classic as such I personally don't know whether you would be
doing too much winter driving. Either way you can soar through
town, screech the tires, and turn some heads..all the way around!
Grab your poodle skirt honey we are going to get away from the kids
for a while!
VIN DECODE
P5FH233160
P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
233160-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR T-Thunderbird Blue
TRIM XC-Turquoise & White
DATE 8G261-July 8th Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.