1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster



Picture, if you will, a 1953 Ford Fordor sedan, sliced in half at the B-pillar and welded together minus its entire rear door and rear quarter area. The rearmost portion of the roof, including the window, is awkwardly moved forward about three feet, and the entire car finished in a rough fashion. This homely car was christened the "Burnetti" after its creator, Ford engineer Bill Burnett, and was designed to simulate the packaging of a European sports car for American tastes; it was a major step towards creating what would become one of America's most beloved and most collectible two-seaters of all time-the original 1955-'56-'57 Ford Thunderbird.



For consignment, version 1 edition 1 of the Ford Thunderbird. This ragtop/hardtop, sports car was innovative for its time, and this particular car has been restored about 20 plus years ago. It still maintains its shine and is looking sharp on all fronts. A beautiful interior is also retained, and the engine runs on a 12-volt system. Some spare extra parts are available, and we are in rarefied air with this year 1955 in such good condition.



Exterior

Starting upfront, we can see a beautiful original and mirror-like bumper with mini "Dagmar" style bumper-ettes attached which take on a jet engine-like appearance. Directly above is a well-preserved egg crate grille, and flanking this on either side is a single headlight. A long scooped hood rolls its way back to the passenger compartment all bathed in Torch Red. The passenger compartment is compact and is topped with a convertible top in black canvas and sporting a clear plastic rear window. On back small fins float above round taillights and point skyward with backup lights inserted within, again emulating jet age design. Another clear bumper this time the "Dagmars" house the exhaust tailpipes. A Torch Red hardtop comes with this car also. Wide whites surround red steel wheels which just make a small appearance on the edges of the wheel covers. All metal is straight and has exacting gaps.



Interior

The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in red vinyl with some white vinyl accenting, and a strip of machined aluminum through the center. These are fairly clean, and look the part, as they melt into the curved dash keeping the machined metal line through the center. Power seat adjustments and power window toggles are in the door panels. A fan style speedometer is above on the painted metal red dash top and bottom. A near perfect bench seat complete with red smooth bolsters and white tuck and roll inserts and seat belts, and early option for Ford. Nice condition red carpet floods the floors, and the original red and chrome horn ring steering wheel fronts the pristine dash. A red tonneau cover is in the rear storage area and awaits to cover the top when it is in the down position.



Drivetrain

A 292ci V8 engine is in a clean and shiny engine bay. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a chromed air cleaner cover. Red is reserved for the block, and shiny Thunderbird badged horizontal ribbed valve covers add some more bling to the bay. A Ford 3-speed manual transmission, Ford 9-inch rear, and a 3.56 rear axle and we can complete the drivetrain.



Undercarriage

Very light surface rust on just a few of the suspension parts, but the X frame, floor plans and rockers are really beautifully preserved. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear make up the suspension and drum brakes are all around. Beautifully preserved for its ripe age.



Drive-Ability

Not a ton of room in these early birds, but once in, they are comfy. This car fired right up and took off for the test track where it flew around in circles with ease. A strong accelerator, and good stopper are also good qualities to have in such an early car and they are working.



All in all, a wonderful example that has been restored a bit ago but still retains its luster and charm. A convertible, and hardtop assures you motoring throughout the year, although with a classic as such I personally don't know whether you would be doing too much winter driving. Either way you can soar through town, screech the tires, and turn some heads...all the way around! Go Red!



VIN DECODE

P5FH199952

P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp

5-1955

F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant

H-Thunderbird

199952-Sequential Unit Number



WARRANTY TAG

BODY 40A-Thunderbird

COLOR R-Torch Red

TRIM B-Red & White

SCHEDULE 19D-April 19th

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