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, a personal car (as dubbed by Ford) 2 seater adult
getaway vehicle. This edition, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, comes to us
from the second owner and has had a restoration several years ago.
When exactly is not clear. It is a convertible top version and it's
certainly looking the part of what Ford dubbed "A mink coat for
father!"
Exterior
When you pen a thin bodied, long hood with a chrome trimmed edge
scoop in its middle, and throw in canted tail fins, make it a 2
seater car, add on on some jet age styling for the taillights, a
convertible top in black canvas, add on fender skirts, a wrap
around windshield, and some chromed trimmings, you have this car.
All straight steel bathed in Flame Red paint showing its shine and
holding it well since the restoration. There are a few chips off
seen throughout, but no rust to speak of. Mirror like chrome
bumpers, egg crate grille, and for the rear in bumper exhaust
ports, this car screams steel sex. A black canvas convertible top
is stored behind the seats when it's in the down position, and
presents as very clean and tear free with a clear rear window in
plastic. Big chromed dish wheel coverings wrap wide whites on all 4
corners. Just a bit of a red wheel is showing outside the
coverings.
Interior
Swing the door and be met with black vinyl panels that have no idea
what a straight line is as to their design. The black mixes with
machined swirl pattern aluminum inserts for the actuator. A long
padded armrest in smooth black vinyl stretches across the mid door,
and below is a single window crank in a white vinyl field. For the
dash a big curved semicircular cowl in padded black vinyl for the
topper, and more machined aluminum with a litany of round gauges
and chrome bezel black knobs and pulls. A town and country radio is
neatly installed and as we gaze across this big padded curved top
dash we can note temp, fan controls, and a nearly hidden glovebox,
but the deeply inset keyhole gives it away. A metal lower dash also
in painted black and some black vinyl covered kick side panels
accentuated by deep pile black carpet can be seen covering the
floors. An original steering wheel is as clean as a whistle, and
you will be left awestruck, when you slip into the overstuffed
black bolstered vinyl bench seat that envelops the passengers when
inside. This is sporting white tuck and roll inserts and looking in
great condition.
Drivetrain
A flip of the front hinged hood and more bling with some sting with
a 292ci "Y" block V8 painted a beautiful red, shoehorned into a
totally restored engine bay. Either side of the mill's heads are
covered with cast aluminum ribbed Thunderbird badged valve
coverings. A chromed "spaceship" styled air cleaner covering
floating over is a 4-barrel carb and on back a 3-speed manual
tranny. The rear axle takes the brunt of this power with a Dana 44,
and 3.31 gears. Just wonderful underneath this scooped hood.
Ver-uuuuhmmmm!
Undercarriage
Showing nicely and original, rust free X framing and floor pans,
reworked suspension which is independent coil springs for the
front, and leaf springs on the back, and they look used but in good
condition . Drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and a solid exhaust
system is now on. Bird is the word...T Bird that is!
Drive-Ability
She fired right up with a low rumble, and it was off to the test
track with a snap back of my neck. Those 4 barrels kicked right in
and I was quickly transported to performance heaven. Great handler,
smooth shifter, quick bias free stopping with those drums, and all
was functioning awesomely. Due to the seat being a bit overstuffed
a taller individual will likely have difficulty getting into this
car.
1955 never looked so good with this initial model, all beautifully
restored and cared for Bird. Very few criticisms for this car where
a nice job has been performed everywhere, even underneath. If you
are in the market for a classic bird, or just want to get your wife
on board to help clean out the other side of your garage, you need
to see this spectacle of Ford design in its first year of the two
seater until Y2K. Ripe for the picking, and you can soar in style
through the neighborhood, in this "Mink Coat for Father" And leave
the kids at home due to lack of room!
P5FH253775
P-292ci V8 4bbl 193hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
253775-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM XA-Black & White Vinyl
PRODUCTION CODE 16H363-August 16th Build Date
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
