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 cloisonn© 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 nary a 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.
