Ford got a lot of things right with their first-year Thunderbird. But, there’s always room for improvement, and customers had three main complaints: 1) the cozy cabin got a bit warm and needed a better fresh air vent solution, 2) the fiberglass removable top had a blind spot, and 3) cargo space was limited because the spare tire took up almost half of the trunk space. Every once-in-a-while, you see a ’55 Thunderbird with an aftermarket continental kit that’s a solution to customer complaint #3. Here’s an example of one that’s been fitted onto a low-mileage ‘Bird (only 29,545 original miles listed). This car is in exceptional condition inside and out, is located in Spokane, Washington, and can be found here on craigslist for $34,500. Another thank you to our favorite ‘Bird spotter, Curvette, for sending this one our way!
The seller doesn’t share a lot of information about the car’s history or why it’s only been driven 29,000 miles in 71 years. He or she says “it was owned by an enthusiast, has been well cared for, never abused, and always garage kept.” Based on the ‘Birds, condition, it has spent a lot of time in a garage and away from Mother Nature. There’s something very formal looking about a solid black ’55 Thunderbird with a contrasting black and white interior. Men driving one in a tuxedo wouldn’t look out of place. The glossy shine of the Code A Raven Black is impressive and there’s no rust or other body flaws visible. It has both tops, but there are no photos shown of the white convertible top. The biggest elephant in the garage is the aftermarket continental kit. It’s pretty outrageous and required extending the exhaust pipes through the chrome rings on the bumper guard. It really changes the looks and proportions of this little two-seater.
The ‘Bird’s black and white interior is clean as a whistle and in great shape. The ribbed vinyl bench seat isn’t showing wear and the door panels look like new. The seller states that it has power steering and power windows, and a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The optional AM radio has been replaced with an aftermarket one and color coordinated seat belts and floor mats have also been added.
It’s not surprising that the engine bay is as neat and tidy as the rest of the car. All Thunderbirds in 1955 left the factory with a 292-cubic-inch “Y-Block” V8 under the hood. Equipped with a manual transmission, the 292 could generate 193 horsepower at 4400 RPM. The seller says, “the car runs and drives great, it has the original engine, transmission, and rear end, and comes with tons of service records.” So, what do you think of this low-mileage, beautiful black ‘Bird with an extended rear end?
Paul Drake would rock this T’bird. But would this car make his @ss look big?
I don’t care how old the kit is; rip it off and replace the tires with run-flats.
Stunning. Just the way it is.
A great way to make a beautiful design look bad.
The ad is taken down so all I know of this car is what’s listed here. However, based on this posting, I see no reason to change anything on this car and I certainly wouldn’t.
Smoke your trunk mat !
Does anyone have any idea what this response means?
Beautiful Bird. From the side it doesn’t even look all that different until you see the view three quarters from the rear. I just wonder what that continental kit does to the handling. Love that interior.
gone but that paint does not look like the paint put on it 71yrs ago. way too shinny.
To do list for this car:
1. Buy it.
2. Remove that outrageous butt-ugly continental kit.
3. Drive and enjoy.
Simple list. Easy peasy.
I have never seen a t bird continental kit with those huge tailpipe extension they look like rocket boosters!
Now the wife will be dragging her big heavy luggage up n over and down the side of the quarter panel gouging ruts in that paint. Bright side is they have a spare tire just incase they may get a flat tire. That is one nice looking spare tire !
On the “loose the Continental Kit” side.
Yep, that just HAS to be the ugliest Continental kit I have ever seen on an American car!! If I were ever lucky to own this car the kit would be removed on day ONE!
Many years ago, my mother gave me her old car. It was a 76 Buick Skylark she bought off the lot, and made the dealer take out the factory radio so she could save some money, as she would never use it. The day after she gave it to me, it had a factory AM-FM in it. Can’t say us car guys aren’t either prepared, or know better to what belongs to a car.
I agree. I’m one of those “old foggies” that believes that if a car was designed (by the pros) to have fender skirts and /or continental “kits”, then they look FABULOUS. If not IMHO, they are tacky. My 1956 T-Bird was designed the way it was and, to me, works. HOWEVER, to improve the ride I had to add heavy duty spring reinforced shocks to the rear to compensate for the extra weight back there. Not as smooth a ride but better handling. This vehicle will need A LOT of counter balancing to retain a good ride and driveability. I would go back to stock but that is my personal opinion. Still a beautiful car.
OK, we all agree great car, get rid of continental Kit as fast as you can. Use a torch if you have to just get it OFF.
This thing is a work of art! Looking at it, as a unique painting by an accomplished painter, without opinions is the object. It’s the creators intentions to make one stop and admire, or just look. It is fulfilling it’s purpose, and will do so way past our life times. It’s a magnificent Thunderbird.
*starts at front* This is a lovely Thunderbird, great color, interior is beautiful, nice hardtop and fender skirts and GREAT CAESAR’S GHOST WHAT HAPPENED BACK HERE?!?!?! *staggers backwards in horror*