Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
Beautifully restored Thunderbird with modern enhancements to provide outstanding show-and-go characteristics! Frame-on restored by the former owner of 33 years to a very high standard! Equipped with power disc brakes, power steering, power windows and seat, both tops, chrome wire wheels, and air conditioning. Finished in its factory correct colors and gorgeous under the sun! Best of Show winner!
Introduced in 1955, Ford's Thunderbird was arguably a response to Chevrolet's Corvette that dazzled the country in 1953. Although instead on competing directly in the sports car market, Ford instead strived to steal attention and launched the car in a new niche category, the “Personal Luxury Car”. These cars were, from the beginning, intended not for practicality but rather for function-follows-form touring. These buyers were wealthy and demanded the style, options and easy of drivability of the best cars on the road but with no sacrifice to comfort or reliability. As a result, it was customary to find cushioned rides and big V8 power plants, with automatic transmissions, air conditioning and full power accessories as optional equipment. None did this better than the original 1955-57 “Baby bird” that remains a style icon 67 years later!
We are very excited to offer this 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible restored in code correct Raven Black over Black & White vinyl interior. It is truly something that must be seen in person to be appreciated to the fullest! Complementing the exterior is a black cloth soft top and matching black non-porthole hardtop! This car is fitted with numerous options such as power steering, power brakes, 4-way power seat, AM/FM pushbutton radio, fender skirts, windshield washers with updated electric wipers, power windows, and retrofitted air conditioning! The car rides on chrome Kelsey-Hayes style wire wheels with one-year old American Classic wide whitewall radial tires!
The former Louisiana owner purchased this early-built Thunderbird (#395) in 1998 from the original owner. It was a true, rust-free survivor that today shows just 68,800 miles on the odometer! After enjoying for a few years, he commenced a comprehensive frame-on restoration between 2001-2002! This included a professional two-stage repaint of the exterior that was finished with show quality stainless trim and fresh chrome. The factory vinyl soft top was replaced with a more durable Stayfast cloth material. The engine was completely overhauled with hardened valve seats, then fitted with a 1957 intake and Holley 4150 4-barrel carburetor to replace the finicky factory teapot design. Additionally, the spark distributor was converted to an upgraded 1957 version with Pertronix electric ignition hidden inside. The factory Ford-O-Matic transmission was replaced with a later generation Ford AOD 4-speed overdrive unit for easy cruising at modern highways speeds! The entire car was fully rewired to 12-volt with an American Autowire 22-circuit circuit panel and 140-amp alternator, all masterfully labeled along with a binder of visual wiring diagrams!
The paint, chrome, interior, and undercarriage can all be described as excellent, completed with an eye for show-worthy detail everywhere you look! An original presentation was a priority, but modern enhancements were integrated for superior road comfort and year-round enjoyment. Further evaluation will highlight a modern air conditioning system with period style under-dash blower unit, along with an upgraded Walker Z-Series high performance brass & copper radiator with Cooling Components electric puller fan allowing everything to work perfectly even on hot, southern summer days! The braking system saw new front disc brakes installed with a dual master cylinder and use of modern DOT5 fluid. The suspension received KYB performance Plus tube shocks(4) and addition of a rear sway bar for optimum road manners.
The car will easily impress T-Bird enthusiasts all while spoiling the new owner with the convenience of cold a/c and the added benefits of a 12-volt conversion. The engine bay is highly detailed with FOMOCO hoses, engine dress-up kit, and factor windshield washer bag. Underneath the car, the details continue with all newer mounting hardware, suspension & steering rubber components, new exhaust, new fuel tank with electric fuel pump, and much more! The entire interior floor of the car from the firewall thru to the trunk was fitted with double-sided foil insulation, as well as the exhaust system itself wrapped for superior heat dispersion away from the cabin.
We have struggled to find criticism with the car and are sure the next owner will feel the same way. For someone looking for a factory-correct Raven Black 1955 Thunderbird, it will be hard to beat this one! From brighter high-definition headlights to a modern AM/FM/MP3 audio system discretely placed in the factory dash location, no detail was overlooked in the 33 years he owned the car! Driven and serviced annually, and fully functional in all respects, it is quite literally ready for anything! We would be more than happy to discuss the car further; please don't hesitate to call! It will not last long! Thanks for looking!
1955 Ford
Thunderbird Convertible
Quick Specs
Highlights
- One of the most thorough and well executed Thunderbird restorations we have seen!
- Treated with modern features for transform the road manners, braking, and comfort features perfectly!
- Air conditioned, power disc brakes, power steering, power seat & windows, both tops, wire wheels!
- Correct color combination and refinished in 2-stage fashion!
- Ready to drive and show in confidence!
Description
Beautifully restored Thunderbird with modern enhancements to provide outstanding show-and-go characteristics! Frame-on restored by the former owner of 33 years to a very high standard! Equipped with power disc brakes, power steering, power windows and seat, both tops, chrome wire wheels, and air conditioning. Finished in its factory correct colors and gorgeous under the sun! Best of Show winner!
Introduced in 1955, Ford's Thunderbird was arguably a response to Chevrolet's Corvette that dazzled the country in 1953. Although instead on competing directly in the sports car market, Ford instead strived to steal attention and launched the car in a new niche category, the “Personal Luxury Car”. These cars were, from the beginning, intended not for practicality but rather for function-follows-form touring. These buyers were wealthy and demanded the style, options and easy of drivability of the best cars on the road but with no sacrifice to comfort or reliability. As a result, it was customary to find cushioned rides and big V8 power plants, with automatic transmissions, air conditioning and full power accessories as optional equipment. None did this better than the original 1955-57 “Baby bird” that remains a style icon 67 years later!
We are very excited to offer this 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible restored in code correct Raven Black over Black & White vinyl interior. It is truly something that must be seen in person to be appreciated to the fullest! Complementing the exterior is a black cloth soft top and matching black non-porthole hardtop! This car is fitted with numerous options such as power steering, power brakes, 4-way power seat, AM/FM pushbutton radio, fender skirts, windshield washers with updated electric wipers, power windows, and retrofitted air conditioning! The car rides on chrome Kelsey-Hayes style wire wheels with one-year old American Classic wide whitewall radial tires!
The former Louisiana owner purchased this early-built Thunderbird (#395) in 1998 from the original owner. It was a true, rust-free survivor that today shows just 68,800 miles on the odometer! After enjoying for a few years, he commenced a comprehensive frame-on restoration between 2001-2002! This included a professional two-stage repaint of the exterior that was finished with show quality stainless trim and fresh chrome. The factory vinyl soft top was replaced with a more durable Stayfast cloth material. The engine was completely overhauled with hardened valve seats, then fitted with a 1957 intake and Holley 4150 4-barrel carburetor to replace the finicky factory teapot design. Additionally, the spark distributor was converted to an upgraded 1957 version with Pertronix electric ignition hidden inside. The factory Ford-O-Matic transmission was replaced with a later generation Ford AOD 4-speed overdrive unit for easy cruising at modern highways speeds! The entire car was fully rewired to 12-volt with an American Autowire 22-circuit circuit panel and 140-amp alternator, all masterfully labeled along with a binder of visual wiring diagrams!
The paint, chrome, interior, and undercarriage can all be described as excellent, completed with an eye for show-worthy detail everywhere you look! An original presentation was a priority, but modern enhancements were integrated for superior road comfort and year-round enjoyment. Further evaluation will highlight a modern air conditioning system with period style under-dash blower unit, along with an upgraded Walker Z-Series high performance brass & copper radiator with Cooling Components electric puller fan allowing everything to work perfectly even on hot, southern summer days! The braking system saw new front disc brakes installed with a dual master cylinder and use of modern DOT5 fluid. The suspension received KYB performance Plus tube shocks(4) and addition of a rear sway bar for optimum road manners.
The car will easily impress T-Bird enthusiasts all while spoiling the new owner with the convenience of cold a/c and the added benefits of a 12-volt conversion. The engine bay is highly detailed with FOMOCO hoses, engine dress-up kit, and factor windshield washer bag. Underneath the car, the details continue with all newer mounting hardware, suspension & steering rubber components, new exhaust, new fuel tank with electric fuel pump, and much more! The entire interior floor of the car from the firewall thru to the trunk was fitted with double-sided foil insulation, as well as the exhaust system itself wrapped for superior heat dispersion away from the cabin.
We have struggled to find criticism with the car and are sure the next owner will feel the same way. For someone looking for a factory-correct Raven Black 1955 Thunderbird, it will be hard to beat this one! From brighter high-definition headlights to a modern AM/FM/MP3 audio system discretely placed in the factory dash location, no detail was overlooked in the 33 years he owned the car! Driven and serviced annually, and fully functional in all respects, it is quite literally ready for anything! We would be more than happy to discuss the car further; please don't hesitate to call! It will not last long! Thanks for looking!
1955 Ford
Thunderbird Convertible
Also For Sale
2002 Ford
Thunderbird
The heart and soul of the original 2-seater Ford Thunderbird of the mid-1950's was revived in 2002 when reintroduced with a similar, and very attractive, design evocative of the classic size and sh...
$24,900
1968 Ford
Mustang
Arguably the greatest pony car of all time, the Ford Mustang debuted its first model in 1964 just weeks after the Plymouth Barracuda. The now famous name and body styling of the 1st generation Mus...
$34,900
1932 Ford
Highboy
Early Ford body designs have been a notoriously popular platform for customization into street rods for many years. Particularly the Model A and early Ford V8 styles of the 1930's. A great number...