1955 Ford Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird finished in Raven Black with a Red Leather Interior.

This first-year production Thunderbird received a complete frame-off restoration in California approximately 16 years ago. According to the current owner, the car was previously purchased at a Barrett-Jackson auction by its prior owner. Following that owner's passing, his wife sold the Thunderbird to a dealer, from whom the current owner purchased it in 2013.

The restoration included refinishing the car in its original Raven Black exterior color and completely redoing the interior in genuine Red leather, retaining the car's original color combination. The owner reports that the car appears to retain its original equipment and shows no evidence of previous body damage or repair.

Power comes from a 292ci Y-block V8 paired with a three-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Equipment includes power steering, power windows, power seat, and air conditioning. The A/C was recently charged and is reported to work well. A removable hardtop in excellent condition is also included with the car, along with a full car cover and spare oil-pan and transmission-pan gaskets.

The current owner describes this as one of the finest 1955 Thunderbirds you will find anywhere in the country, a stunning example that is a real head-turner.

The current owner has driven the Thunderbird approximately 2,000 miles since purchasing it in 2013, primarily during the summer and approximately 150 miles per year. The odometer currently displays approximately 700 miles but was already inoperative when the current owner purchased the car, so actual mileage is unknown. The car has reportedly never been driven in the rain during his ownership.

Maintenance during the current ownership has consisted primarily of regular oil changes. The original-style radiator has also been replaced, and in 2016 the transmission pan gasket and transmission dipstick assembly were replaced.

The owner reports that the Thunderbird starts and runs well with no significant mechanical issues. The original AM radio and odometer are currently inoperative. There is also a minor transmission-fluid leak, believed to originate from one of the two O-rings in the shift-lever assembly.

The car remains in essentially the same condition as when the current owner purchased it in 2013. The Raven Black paint is reported to be in excellent condition aside from one very minor touched-up scratch. The owner reports no rust, with the restored underside remaining exceptionally clean.

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.