1955 Ford Thunderbird

Description

There are a few blue-chip cars that you should have in your collection if you're a legitimate car guy. One is a Model A Ford, and the other is an early 2-seater Thunderbird. We would like to recommend this 1955 Thunderbird as a candidate for your garage, with its classic color combination and a restoration that's accurate and ready to enjoy.

You can spend more for a trailer queen, but the real appeal in the early 'Bird is getting in and having an adventure. It's what sold them when they were new and their V8 power and comfortable suspension make them outstanding road trip candidates. And when they're painted Showshoe White (which is this car's original color, by the way), they have a timeless appeal that looks right and never goes out of style. As I said, the work is a few years old, but it's holding up quite well thanks to quality work and excellent care since it was completed. For many, the simplicity of the first-year Thunderbirds is immensely appealing, and the even gaps and straight panels on this one certainly emphasize the clean design. As a product of the '50s, there's still plenty of brightwork, but it's restrained and not gratuitous and everything was thoroughly restored with the rest of the car. It's not perfect, but it's extremely nice.

It also carries a correct code XB red and white interior that adds plenty of flash, but in a traditional Thunderbird style. The interior is quite fresh-looking, with virtually unmarked seats, bright white upholstery, and shining engine-turned appliques surrounding the passenger compartment. Options include power windows, power steering, and as most T-Bird fans know, the power seat was standard equipment in 1955. The instrument panel shows off the "anything goes" optimism of the 1950s, with the speedometer backlit by a clear plexiglass panel and a tachometer, all of which is in good condition with clear markings. The only noteworthy deviation from the factory formula is the AM/FM/cassette stereo in the center of the dash, but it was clearly designed with the Thunderbird in mind, so it looks right and sounds far better than the original AM unit. You may also be interested to learn that a soft top was a no-cost option over the hard top in 1955, and this one wears a snug-fitting black folding top that looks great.

All Thunderbirds in 1955 used a 292 cubic inch V8, and while the dress-up kit was a dealer-installed option, I can't recall ever seeing one without it. Combined with the bright red engine enamel, the finned valve covers and chrome air cleaner make the engine bay sparkle. Correct reproduction hoses and proper clamps add a period-perfect look and it runs extremely well thanks to a 12-volt conversion. Even the exhaust manifolds are in excellent shape, feeding a dual exhaust system with a muted V8 hum. The 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission shifts well and with power steering, it's a fantastic around-town cruiser. 215/70/15 wide whitewall radials look right but ride and handle far better, and with full-wheel hubcaps, look quite authentic.

Just a nice vintage 'Bird that's ready to drive and enjoy. Get out and drive! Call today!