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| The new and exciting 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible |
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1955 Ford Thunderbird
Ford's most exciting news for 1955 was the introduction of the 2-passenger Thunderbird! The new V-8 powered bird was introduced as a sporty competitor to the Vet, but included a full line of luxury options and based on a full-sized Ford. The first year Ford exceeded its projected sales for the T-bird with 16,155 produced. Introductory retail price was $2,695, just $5 less than the 1955 Corvette.
Over 5,000 names were considered for the all new Thunderbird, including Hep Cat, Beaver, Runabout and El Tigre. Alden Giberson, a Ford stylist submitted the name Thunderbird based on the legend from the Southwest. The first Thunderbird rolled off the line on September 9, 1954 and was announced as the new sports car by Ford on September 23 and went on sale on October 22nd of the same year.The public responded well to the Thunderbird by placing more than 3,500 orders in the first 10-day selling period. The media responded as well, Motor Trend named the Thunderbird as one of the six best looking cars of 1955 in its September issue.
1955 Ford Thunderbird Production and Specifications
| Model Number |
Body/Style Number |
Body Type & Seating |
Factory Price |
Shipping Weight |
Total Production |
| Thunderbird |
| P5 |
40 |
2 dr Convertible - 2P |
$2,944 |
2,980 lbs |
16,155 |
Chassis Data
| Model |
Wheelbase |
Overall Length |
Overall Width |
Front Tread |
Rear Tread |
Tires |
| Thunderbird |
102 in |
175.3 in |
70.3 in |
56 in |
56 in |
6.70 x 15 tubeless |
Vin Number Decoding - 1955 - 1956 Ford Thunderbird |
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| Location: Installed on the dash panel in the engine compartment. |
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| P = V8 OHV 292 cu. in. |
M = V8 OHV 292 cu. in. |
| Second Symbol - Model Year |
| 5 = 1955 |
6 = 1956 |
| Third - Assembly Plant |
| A = Atlanta, GA. |
M = Memphis, TN. |
| C = Chester, PA. |
N = Norfolk, VA. |
| D = Dallas, TX. |
P = Twin Cities, WI. |
| E = Mahwah, NJ. |
R = San Jose, CA. |
| F = Dearborn, MI. |
S = Pilot Plant |
| G = Chicago, IL. |
T = Metuchen, NJ. |
| H = Lorain, OH. |
U = Louisville, KY. |
| J = Los Angeles, CA. |
W = Wayne, MI. |
| K = Kansas City, MO. |
Y = Wixom, MI. |
| L = Long Beach, CA. |
Z = St. Louis, MO. |
| Fourth Symbol - Body Style |
| H = Thunderbird |
| Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence |
| Starting at 100001 |
| Body Type Code |
| 40 = Thunderbird |
| Body Color Code |
| A = Raven Black |
P = Thunderbird Gray |
| E = Snowhshoe White (1955) |
R = Torch Red |
| E = Colonial White (1956) |
T = Thunderbird Blue |
| J = Buckskin Tan |
V = Goldenrod Yellow |
| K = Fiesta Red |
Y = Sunset Coral |
| L = Peacock Blue |
Z = Thunderbird Green |
| M = Goldenglow Yellow |
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| Trim Code |
| XA or A = Black & White |
XD or D = Black & Yellow (1955) |
| XB or B = Red & White |
XD = Tan & White (1956) |
| XC or C = Turquoise & White (1955) |
XF = Green & White |
| XC = Dark Peacock & White (1956) |
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| Date Code (example - 17 K 46 - 17 = day of month K = month 46 = Forty-sixth car produced) |
| A or N = January |
G or U = July |
| B or P = February |
H or V = August |
| C or Q = March |
J or W = September |
| D or R = April |
K or X = October |
| E or S = May |
L or Y = November |
| F or T = June |
M or Z = December |
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Transmission Codes |
| Code |
Transmission Type |
| 1 |
3-Speed Manual |
| 2 |
Overdrive |
| 3 |
Fordomatic 2-speed |
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1955 Ford Axle Codes |
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| Codes |
Ratio |
| 0 |
4.11 to 1 |
| 1 |
3.10 to 1 |
| 2 |
3.56 to 1 |
| 3 |
3.70 to 1 |
| 4 |
3.89 to 1 |
| 5 |
2.91 to 1 |
| 6 |
2.69 to 1 |
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Photo Gallery - 7 Pictures |
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| click on a thumbnail below for a larger view |
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