1955 Ford Thunderbird

Ford Thunderbird

Year of manufacture: 1955
Engine capacity (ccm): 4.778
Power output: 148 kW / 201 hp
Top speed: 172 km/h
Transmission: automatic
Odometer (unwarranted): 38.600 mls
Production period: 1955 - 1957

Vehicle Description:

• Ford Thunderbird convertible from very first year of production run, 1955
• with its last owner in Florida since 1974
• soft top and hard top available
• two 4 barrel carburettors added, original carburettor and manifold still exist
• back wheel kit mounted
• converted to 12 volt electrics
• engine reconditioned several years ago
• offered as restoration project: floorpan, suspension, brakes etc. in need of repair
• eligible for participation in Mille Miglia
• a car like Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe had one

Model History:
Starting out as a sports car in direct competition with the Chevrolet Corvette or European rivals such as Jaguar and Porsche, later becoming a "Personal Luxury Car" for classy cruising - the Ford Thunderbird was always a product of the Zeitgeist of his era. The company's market strategists really had their eyes fixed on the market, and their strategy proved highly successful for decades.

Pundits distinguish a total of 11 generations, from the "Classic Bird" and "Square Bird" of the 50s, via "Bullet Bird", "Flair Bird" and "Glamour Bird" of the 1960s, "Big Bird" and "Torino Bird" of the 1970s, and "Box Bird", "Aero Bird", "Super Bird" of the 80s / 90s all the way to the "Retro Bird", which from 2002 to 2005 attempted a not-so successful revival.

In the models before 1980, you'd find the enormous, thirsty V8 engines with capacities up to 7.5 litres - typically American. After years of "longer, wider, heavier" the trend was reversed, with later model Thunderbirds being lighter and sportier again.