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 Goldenrod Yellow, 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.
Restored in the 80's and purchased by our consignor just over 20
years ago,this baby bird is still looking great thanks to always
being garage kept during our consignors ownership. A slew of
receipts, some upgrades performed by our consignor and an all
around great driver create the aura of 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 tail lights, again, emulating the 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. Blackwall radials in 15" format surround
Goldenrod Yellow painted steel wheels with standard Ford wheel
coverings for just the right "look". All metal is painted in
Goldenrod Yellow 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 tail
lights, "Dagmars", and all is super snazzy. And don't forget the
Goldenrod Yellow fiberglass hardtop that comes along with this
iconic car, and is a correct non-port hole version with a new
headliner.
Interior
The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in yellow 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 and power seat switches. 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, the original
remanufactured radio is neatly installed in the dash center.
Fronting a near perfect bench seat is the chrome bezel 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
yellow 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 yellow 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
Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission and 3.31 geared Dana 44
rear axle complete the drivetrain. Just a beautiful presentation
under the hood.
Undercarriage
Just a hint of surface rust and narya hint of invasive rust to be
seen. The X frame and floor pans are really beautifully preserved
sporting a nice black paint and rustproofing. Independent coil
springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear make up the
suspension with drum brakes all around. A stock style dual exhaust
is in charge of the exhale and presents as surface rusted.
Drive-Ability
There is 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 performed well during my time
behind the wheel and all functions were well....functional.
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!
P5FH218596
P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
218596-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR V-Goldenrod Yellow
TR D-Invalid Trim Code
PRODUCTION CODE 7FDD464-June 7th
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.
