For Sale: 1955 Ford Thunderbird in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

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 Raven Black, 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 early simplistic design. An overall 4 out of 5 on the judgement scale, all looking good and rust free. Top flite 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 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. Wide whites surround 15-inch Kelsey Hayes chrome wire wheels which have a central Thunderbird badged "spinner" center hub for some extra chutzpah. All metal is painted in Raven Black paint, and has nicely preserved gaps. A few scuffs are noted throughout the bodyin various areas. From its fender skirts to the chromed venting on the front quarters to the tasteful fins and jet engine tail lights, "Dagmars" and all, it's super snazzy. Bring on the malt shop!

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 and power seat toggles, meanwhile just below in the white vinyl are the power window toggles. These are decently clean with the aluminum showing a few dimples and white some smudging. This panel looks the part, as it melts 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 other a clock. Also noted the radio has been upgraded to a modern AM/FM unit. Fronting a near perfect bench seat is a plastic and chromed bezeled 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 black 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.

Drivetrain
A 292ci V8 engine is in a clean and shiny engine bay. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a chromed beehive shaped air cleaner cover. Red is reserved for the block, and polished and turquoise Thunderbird badged horizontal ribbed valve covers add some more bling to the bay. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, and a Dana 44 3.31 gear ratio rear axle is in back. An original and well restored looking presentation under the hood. Some newer wiring and supple hoses are also on.

Undercarriage
Just a bit of surface rust, and the X frame, floor pans and rockers are preserved with the surface rust and no structural damage from said invader of many a classic. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear make up the suspension with drum brakes all around. A newer fuel tank is now installed, looking fine on this underside!

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 only with the power seat not moving fore or aft, however the tilting functions work as designed.

All in all a good example that has been restored a bit ago but still retains its luster and charm. A convertible always assures 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! Place your bid, grab your poodle skirt honey we are going to get away from the kids for a while!

P5FH146550

P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
146550-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG

BODY 40H-Thunderbird
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM A-Black Vinyl
PRODUCTION CODE 27AC174-January 27th

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.