The early Ford Thunderbird remains one of the blue-chip investments of the car hobby. No, it won't make you rich overnight, but they have a consistent and loyal following and their values have been inching up year after year, making this pretty Thunderbird Blue 1955 example a car you can buy with your brain as well as your heart. Arguably the most pure of the early Thunderbirds, this 1955 looks unique simply because it's not wearing fender skirts. As a result, it has much more of a sports car look than its siblings, one that I kind of like. Originally code T Thunderbird Blue, it now wears a Neptune Green finish, and the pastel hue looks absolutely amazing on the slick T-Bird bodywork. There's also a serious amount of chrome on any car from the '50s, and the trim on this car has been brilliantly restored so it shows off a fantastic shine without major defects. Original emblems were reinstalled wherever possible, and it's so fresh that even the exhaust tips poking through the rear bumper haven't started to discolor the chrome. The tidy two-tone interior is equally nice, with plush seats that have been restored to as-new condition. Bright color-matched vinyl in turquoise and white is a nice change from all the black and white interiors we see in these cars, and its sunny disposition is like coming home. All the gauges have been rebuilt, and the crystal clear speedometer lens is especially nice. The bright trim that spans the entire interior has been given a proper engine-turned surface, and the radio has been upgraded to an AM/FM unit for enjoyable cruising. Of note, this one carries the standard 3-speed manual transmission, so it's highly entertaining to drive, with light shift action and a delightful V8 burble with the top down. And speaking of the top, this one includes a correct early non-porthole hardtop in contrasting white, although if you're like most T-Bird owners, you'll store it in your garage and never use it again. These cars were built for sun! Ford's Y-block V8 provided power for the Thunderbird, in this case a P-code 292 cubic inch V8 making 198 horsepower, which was the only engine available in 1955. Rebuilt not too long ago, it's still being broken in, but it starts easily and has a wonderful V8 exhaust note that invites you out onto the open road. The nicely detailed engine bay features all the correct parts, including the chrome air cleaner, special Thunderbird valve covers, and Ford Red paint on the block. New parts include a full ignition system tune up, a replica battery, and a new vacuum advance on the distributor so it runs beautifully. The chassis is nicely finished although it was clearly built with an eye towards putting it on the road. A new exhaust system, a recent brake service, and new 205/75/15 whitewall radials on the original wheels mean that it's ready to go today. Not many collector cars are icons like the Thunderbird, and you'll find that everywhere you go in this one, you're a celebrity. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Charlotte showroom. For more information, please call (704) 598-2130 or toll free (866) 542-8392.
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