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! Bathed in Ravern Black, it does
not get any more mid 50s 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 early simplistic design. An overall
3 out of 5 on the judgement scale, a few items nonfunctional at
this time, but all looking good and rust free. Top elite for this
bird!
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 black, tear free and fade free canvas and
sporting a clear plastic rear window. On the back small fins tip
round taillights again, emulating jet age design, and another clean
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 Raven Black 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 is super snazzy. And
don't forget the black fiberglass hard top that comes along with
this iconic car.
Interior
The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in white vinyl with
some black vinyl covered swooping upward long armrests, and a black
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, with the aluminum
showing a few dimples. This panel looks 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 black dash top and more black for 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 an original looking radio is 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 black smooth bolsters and
surrounds and shows with white tuck and roll inserts and some
piping at the seams, and it stretches from door to door. Nice
condition black carpeting floods the floors, and the black bakelite
and chrome horn ring steering wheel fronts the pristine dash. A
black tonneau cover 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. And if the weather is bad, pop on the
hardtop!
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 automatic transmission, 3.31 Dana 44 rear axle complete the
drivetrain. Just a beautiful presentation under the hood.
Undercarriage
Just a hint of surface rust and some minor invasive rust on the
rockers. The X frame and floor pans are really beautifully
preserved sporting a nice undercoating of rustproofing. Independent
coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear make up
the suspension with drum brakes all around. We note power steering
also.
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. This bird struggles with a few not working
issues such as the radio, temp gauge, taillights, brake lights, and
the horn. Also, there is a rattle in the engine at idle speed,
which the consignor states is a worn torque converter.
All in all a wonderful example that has been restored a bit ago but
still retains its luster and charm. A convertible, hardtop, and
climate controls 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
P5FH223714
P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
223714-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM A-Black & White
DATE 16F-June 16th Build Date
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.
