1955 Ford Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible In March 2024, Hemmings penned an extensive article explaining the various monikers Ford Thunderbirds have been labeled with through eleven generations of the model. It starts with the class of Baby Birds of 1955-1957, also referred to as Early Birds. Then came the Square Birds of 1958-1960 followed by Bullet Birds of 1961-1963. Angular sheet metal and added chrome made the 1964-1966 T-birds the Flair Birds. We'll end with the finely styled cars that left sporty behind with the Glamour Birds of 1967-1971. For consignment, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 85,037 unverifiable miles, an early bird that comes with the revolutionary porthole hardtop. For those who remember encyclopedias, chances are if you looked up classic car in one, a 1955 Thunderbird with a porthole hardtop would be depicted! This has had some restoration in the past two years including paint in 2023. Exterior A coat of single stage acrylic urethane was applied last year in Midnight Blue Metallic, a stunning shade of dark blue that helps accentuate the brightwork that adorns the car. The gravel guards and edge trim on the fender skirt becomes immediately apparent in contrast, as does the faux fender vent, the Thunderbird script, and the wrap-around bumpers when viewed in profile. The rear view, with its round tail lights topped with reverse lenses in a cat ear design, was utilized across the Ford line but perhaps best associated with the sleek paneled Thunderbird. Baby Birds enjoy unique exhaust portals each year and for 1955, jet plane-like cylinders mounted on the rear fender housed the tailpipes, making the car look like it could rocket down the street. These fender additions are mirrored on the front where they represent, appropriately, the front of a torpedo. 15-inch chrome wire wheels with white walls complete the truly epic styling of the original Thunderbird and the contrasting Colonial White top is fantastic. Imperfections include quite a bit of orange peel in the paint, some discoloration on the white top, some unevenness in the corner of a door gap, and some paint runs. Interior Designers got it right with the exterior, and they didn't take a nap on the interior either. Bold design and materials occupy the black and white door panels with an angular and trimmed metal insert that completes what can be regarded as a work of art. The stacked materials make their way around the cabin in a coordinated feast for the eyes. We note some looseness of material on the swooping armrests, but the panels are in otherwise excellent condition. The bench for two up front is cast in black and white as well and shows some compression and usage on the driver's side in particular. A 3 spoke steering wheel front a dashboard with sunlit speedometer flanked by a round tachometer and round clock with matching red needles. An AM/FM radio occupies the middle panel along with the vent panel while the lower dash is painted to match the exterior. Black loop carpet surrounds the floor mounted shift and both show a bit of age and patina. Blue rubber Thunderbird mats cover the footwells. The trunk wears a new trunk liner. Drivetrain Clean and presentable, we find a 292ci V8 under the hood, sporting a 4-barrel Holley carburetor and rated at 198 horsepower, a respectable number in 1955. A Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission is married to the engine and sends power to a Dana 44 rear with 3.31 gears. This sporty ride is equipped with power drum brakes on all four wheels. Our consignor states that the car has new wires, spark plugs, a K&N filter, cap, wiring, points, and 6 volt regulator. Undercarriage Surface rust and patina abound underneath where driver quality conditions prevail. There's quite a bit of grease build up on the knuckles and other steering components as well as some errant fluids scattered around. Some flaking rust is found on the inner rocker panels and body braces.