1955 Ford Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird
Going on sale in 1955, the Thunderbird was Fords answer to the recently released Chevrolet Corvette as a formidable rival in the two seat sports car class. Designed as a grand touring coupe, the Thunderbird was intended to shuttle its occupants down the road in comfort, at speed and in style - and it beat the contemporary Corvette in each of those areas. This first year, 1955 Thunderbird is the embodiment of what made them great - from the color choice to the options selected - and is the perfect companion for top down cruising. For the first model year of the Thunderbird, the P-Code package was the only engine option available- a punchy 292ci V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor sitting atop it. This engine provided 193 horsepower which was almost identical to the newly introduced V8 in the Corvette and could be paired to an automatic or 3-speed manual transmission. This car was outfitted with the Ford-O-Matic 2-Speed automatic transmission which is known for smooth shifting and reliability, along with power brakes to help stop the car more easily.
The exterior is painted in the quintessential shade of Thunderbird Blue. A striking hue of turquoise, this is one of the signature Thunderbird colors and an absolute show stopper. A unique feature that this Thunderbird was fitted with is the Continental Kit in the rear - an extended bumper with a spare tire covered in a color matched casing on the back, this feature looks exceptionally cool and is known for being quite desirable to collectors. All of the wheels including the spare in the Continental Kit are fitted with Kelsey Hayes wire wheels and white wall tires which give the car an upscale, vintage look. Another Thunderbird signature that isnt seen on most cars is the rear wheel skirts that make the car look lower and sleeker and when paired with the chrome headlight eyebrows does wonders to complete the overall aesthetic. All T-birds of this generation were convertibles and the black top on this example looks fantastic, with tight fitting fabric and beautiful clear rear window. The car also comes with an unrestored removable hardtop.
As the Thunderbird was intended as a grand touring vehicle, the interior is really where it shines, with this example being no exception. The two-tone turquoise and white interior presents fantastically and, when combined with the turned aluminum trim along the dashboards and door panels, provides an exciting cockpit to be in. In front of the driver is a full suite of gauges featuring a 150-mph speedometer, tachometer and clock, and the 2-spoke turquoise steering wheel looks and feels great. At the time, the Thunderbird was available with numerous luxury features that could only be found on much higher end cars, and this example features a number of them. Power adjustable seats and power windows were not a common feature at this time, and compared to the contemporary Corvette with its side curtains, was an exceptionally nice place to be. The steering column is telescoping to aid in driver comfort and the AM Radio in the dash looks great but needs servicing before being used. Overall, the style available in this era of Thunderbird is unparalleled and makes for a fantastic conversation piece anywhere you go. Benefiting from an older restoration, this Thunderbird has been used and enjoyed and is ready for its next owner to slide behind the wheel, put the top down and enjoy the ultimate 1950s American sports car.
Key Features

292ci V8 Engine

Engine Dress-up Kit

Automatic Gearbox

Ford-O-Matic Transmission

Rare Continental Kit
Beautiful Black Convertible Top
Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels

Wide White Radial Tires

Dual Rear View Mirrors
Power Seat
Telescopic Steering Column
Hardtop (unrestored)

Watch a Walkaround Video Here...
Standard Features

Pleated Vinyl Upholstery
Variable-Intensity Illuminated Control Knobs
Automatic Courtesy Light on Instrument Panel
Rear View Mirror on Windshield Upper Molding
Dual Horns
Deep-Center Lifeguard Steering Wheel
2-Inch In-Out Adjustable Telescoping Steering Wheel
Tachometer
Electric Clock with Sweep Second Hand
Cigarette Lighter and Ash Tray
Lifeguard Door Latches
Lifeguard Rear View Mirror
Exterior Rear View Mirror (Drivers Door)
Cowl Side Vents
Glass Wind Deflectors

For more information on this 1955 Ford Thunderbird, or any of our other luxury and high-performance sedans always in stock, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable sales team, or always feel free to stop by our Bellevue, WA Park Place Ltd campus - Where we have over 40,000 sq ft of indoor showrooms filled with the finest cars. As part of the Park Place Motor Group family, which includes Park Place Aston Martin and Lotus of Bellevue, Park Place Ltd is Home to the West Coasts Most Diverse Inventory of Luxury, Exotic, Collectible and Special Interest Automobiles. Nobody Has What We Have!