Ford USA - Thunderbird - 1955

Ford Thunderbird 1955

- Desirable 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
- Original color scheme in turquoise
- Very original condition
- Extensive American documentation present
- Well-known example thanks to appearances in multiple films and series, including Top Gear
- Hardtop

HISTORY/DOCUMENTATION
An iconic car: the first-generation Ford Thunderbird, produced from 1955 to 1957. This example was manufactured on March 21, 1955 and carries the chassis number P5FH197955, where the P stands for the engine code (312 4V V8), the 5 for the model year 1955, the F for the production site (Dearborn, Michigan) and the H for the model (Thunderbird). The remaining coding also corresponds to the specification, namely: 40A (Roadster), T (Thunderbird blue). The special thing about this example is that it was originally equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive; rare and highly sought after! Also notable is that there is extensive documentation with the car detailing its history. There is even an old photo from the United States of this example, with license plate 'USU 501'. A splendid photo in which two women are half leaning over the car: quintessentially American. In the early 1970s the then-owner, although the car remained in excellent condition, stripped and completely restored it to concours condition, using as many original parts as possible. The car was subsequently used frequently as a showpiece at auto events, praised for its superb condition. Documentation of this is available. In 1990 the ‘T-Bird’ was shipped to the United Kingdom, where its originality and condition attracted a lot of media attention. The car was seen in films and series such as Boon, Tomorrow’s World, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Top Gear (1991). It was also used by K-Tell Records for promotional purposes and appeared on the cover of a parts catalog. This parts catalog is present with the car! Also much other documentation such as maintenance invoices and export documents is with the car. In 2006 the car was imported to the Netherlands, where it has had only 2 owners. This is a unique opportunity to own a particularly beautiful and sought-after Thunderbird with a wonderful history!

EXTERIOR
Originally finished in the coveted turquoise color and supplied with a hardtop in the same color. This contrasts beautifully with the striking white interior and the white soft top. The soft top is originally electrically operated, but this system has been disconnected so the roof can be opened manually with ease. The restoration carried out was more than 50 years ago, so it is no longer in concours condition, but still in good shape with a beautiful paint job and fresh rubber and lighting. The car’s design is iconic; for example, look at the exhausts integrated into the rear bumper. The car is in a very original state.

INTERIOR
An extravagantly luxurious interior, certainly for the 1950s, unique and forward-looking. Think, for example, of an original electrically adjustable bench seat in 4 directions, power windows, and power steering. Currently the electrically adjustable bench is not working. The leather interior is finished in a striking turquoise and white color combination. The interior also features a horizontal speedometer, a clock, a tachometer, heating, and a radio. Naturally, it is wonderfully comfortable on the spacious bench. The interior is in a very original condition.

TECHNICAL
Although the Thunderbird shared some design features with other Fords of the era, such as round headlamps and taillights and modest tail fins, it had a sleeker form and came with a hood scoop and a speedometer up to 240 km/h, which was not available on other Fords. It used mechanical parts from mass-produced Ford models. The frame with a wheelbase of 2591 mm of the Thunderbird was a shortened version also used in other Ford models, and the standard 4.8-liter Y-block V8 motor came from the Ford Mercury division. Shifting can be done via the 3-speed manual with overdrive. This overdrive is very rare and highly sought after. The car starts, runs and shifts as it should.

GENERAL
The Thunderbird, designed to challenge the Chevrolet Corvette, was one of the first Fords with the new overhead-cam V8 engine. It was introduced as a two-seat ‘personal car’ and was aimed at image-conscious younger customers. In addition, it was not a pure sports car, but also focused on comfort. Thanks to its superb V8 engine and greater refinement, it out-sold the Corvette by far in the sales war. Despite this success, the original concept was quickly abandoned and in 1958 a larger – and slower – four-seat version was introduced, turning the early two-seaters into rarities almost overnight. The first-generation Thunderbird was built from 1955 to 1958. The Thunderbird sold exceptionally well in its first year and in 1955 sold more than 23 times as many as the Corvette, with 16,155 Thunderbirds sold versus 700 Corvettes. No fewer than 11 generations have been released over the years of the Thunderbird, up to 2005.