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Details
1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD
Chassis No. P5FH232402
Goldenrod Yellow with yellow and black leather interior
Engine: V8, 292ci.; Gearbox: Fordomatic automatic; Suspension: independent front with solid rear axle; Brakes: power assisted four wheel drums. Left hand drive.
In 1955 Ford responded to the Chevy Corvette with the introduction of its first true sportscar. From the start the 1955 Ford Thunderbird was a success, so much so that it outsold the Corvette nearly 24 to 1. The consumer population of a vibrant post war American economy was in love with the sporty new car and its sales helped Ford enjoy one of the most successful years in the company's history as Ford production was recorded surpassing 1.4 million cars, second only to 1923 during the prime of the immortal Model T.
Offered in an array of colors, the Thunderbird was as much a statement of its owner's individuality as it was about the size of their bank account as a fully equipped Thunderbird could easily cost $3,500. The Thunderbird became an instant American classic and there was little the executives at General Motors could do to compete with Ford's new car. While the Corvette was known for its spirited straight-six engine, Ford countered it with a powerful Mercury V8, which in its base model form offered the driver an ample 182hp at 4,400rpm. If that wasn't enough the buyer could opt for an even more impressive 292ci. engine that supplied 198hp at 4,400rpm in addition to a variety of transmission choices from the Fordomatic automatic ($178) to a three speed manual syncromesh with overdrive ($110). Other options included power seats ($64), radio ($99), heater ($71), hardtop ($290) or softtop ($75), power steering ($91), power brakes ($32), power windows ($102) and whitewall tires ($27).
The stunning 1955 Thunderbird pictured here was purchased by the vendor a little over ten years ago. It is equipped with a softtop as well as the correct and rare non-porthole hardtop. It is fitted with the desirable Town and Country signal seeking radio and antenna, whitewall tires, clock and Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. It has benefited from a complete nut and bolt restoration to show quality standards. Since then it has been part of an important private collection where it has been carefully maintained and used sparingly. The Thunderbird's Goldenrod Yellow paint shows to be in excellent condition as does the extensive exterior brightwork. The two-tone yellow and black interior also appear to be in excellent condition. The Thunderbird is also complete with its jack, spare tire and correct model year badging. Production numbers on the 1955 Thunderbird show only a meager 16,155 cars built, these '55 T-Birds are easily identifiable from the ensuing production years as they did not feature porthole hardtops, wire wheels or continental kits characteristic of many of the '56 and '57 models.
The 1955 Thunderbird on offer here is a magnificent example of the upstart and spirited '50s American sportscar in its premiere production year and will always be considered as a true classic as a design icon, immortalized in song, literature and on the silver screen.
Chassis No. P5FH232402
Goldenrod Yellow with yellow and black leather interior
Engine: V8, 292ci.; Gearbox: Fordomatic automatic; Suspension: independent front with solid rear axle; Brakes: power assisted four wheel drums. Left hand drive.
In 1955 Ford responded to the Chevy Corvette with the introduction of its first true sportscar. From the start the 1955 Ford Thunderbird was a success, so much so that it outsold the Corvette nearly 24 to 1. The consumer population of a vibrant post war American economy was in love with the sporty new car and its sales helped Ford enjoy one of the most successful years in the company's history as Ford production was recorded surpassing 1.4 million cars, second only to 1923 during the prime of the immortal Model T.
Offered in an array of colors, the Thunderbird was as much a statement of its owner's individuality as it was about the size of their bank account as a fully equipped Thunderbird could easily cost $3,500. The Thunderbird became an instant American classic and there was little the executives at General Motors could do to compete with Ford's new car. While the Corvette was known for its spirited straight-six engine, Ford countered it with a powerful Mercury V8, which in its base model form offered the driver an ample 182hp at 4,400rpm. If that wasn't enough the buyer could opt for an even more impressive 292ci. engine that supplied 198hp at 4,400rpm in addition to a variety of transmission choices from the Fordomatic automatic ($178) to a three speed manual syncromesh with overdrive ($110). Other options included power seats ($64), radio ($99), heater ($71), hardtop ($290) or softtop ($75), power steering ($91), power brakes ($32), power windows ($102) and whitewall tires ($27).
The stunning 1955 Thunderbird pictured here was purchased by the vendor a little over ten years ago. It is equipped with a softtop as well as the correct and rare non-porthole hardtop. It is fitted with the desirable Town and Country signal seeking radio and antenna, whitewall tires, clock and Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. It has benefited from a complete nut and bolt restoration to show quality standards. Since then it has been part of an important private collection where it has been carefully maintained and used sparingly. The Thunderbird's Goldenrod Yellow paint shows to be in excellent condition as does the extensive exterior brightwork. The two-tone yellow and black interior also appear to be in excellent condition. The Thunderbird is also complete with its jack, spare tire and correct model year badging. Production numbers on the 1955 Thunderbird show only a meager 16,155 cars built, these '55 T-Birds are easily identifiable from the ensuing production years as they did not feature porthole hardtops, wire wheels or continental kits characteristic of many of the '56 and '57 models.
The 1955 Thunderbird on offer here is a magnificent example of the upstart and spirited '50s American sportscar in its premiere production year and will always be considered as a true classic as a design icon, immortalized in song, literature and on the silver screen.