1955 Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Motor Company produced only 16,155 Thunderbirds in 1955. Production began in 1954. In September of 1954, my father E.M. "Tex" Anderson, ordered a Black Thunderbird, with black/white leather upholstery from McKinney Motors in Kerrville, Texas. The car was manufactured on January 20, 1955 and delivered to my father on January 28, 1955. The original Certificate of Title lists the purchase price as $2,180.00. This was one of the first Thunderbirds produced; however, the Ford Motor Company did not keep any specific records of how many Thunderbirds had been manufactured before January 20, 1955. After my father death, the title to the car was transferred by my mother to me on March 30,2000. At the time of the transfer the car's exact mileage was unknown but estimated to have been over 100,000 miles. Since March 30, 2000, the car has been restored and driven less than 2500 miles. The most recent restorations were completed in 2022. The electrical system has been upgraded from 6 volt to 12 volt. The engine has been overhauled. The original carburetor has been replaced with a Holley and the wipers have been converted to electric, rather than vacuum operated. An air conditioner and aluminum radiator have been installed. The wheels and Coker "Gangster Whitewall" tires are all new, as well as the fuel tank. The car was repainted the original black color and the seats re-upholstered in the original black and white leather. My father replaced the original AM radio with an AM/FM Cassette player. The car has always been garaged and covered, even when my father owned it.