The Ford Thunderbird lasted through ten generations, beginning in 1955, without skipping a beat before it took a short break in 1998, but came back in 2002 for a brief eleventh, finally calling it quits in 2005. The nameplate sold well over 4 million units for Ford Motor Company, and while it evolved into a larger, more luxurious vehicle through the years, the T-Bird began its life as a sporty 2-seater convertible. If you’ve been thinking about buying an inaugural year model and like the idea of a car that’s largely original, this 1955 Ford Thunderbird might be right up your alley. The car is located in Binghampton, New York, and can be seen here on eBay with an asking price of $22,000, or you can submit an offer. Barn Finds would like to thank reader Larry D. for sending in another great tip on this one!
Although the Thunderbird is currently in New York, the owner says the car spent its life in Idaho and Texas before he acquired it, and that it had been sitting for years prior to his purchasing it. The car is said to be original and unrestored, still wearing most of its original Raven black paint, with the exception being the left front fender which had some work done on it at some point. The sheet metal appears to be all original, and while the paint is said to be showing its age, it doesn’t look all that bad plus it’s kind of special that the car hasn’t had a series of resprays over the years. The trunk and floors are said to be rust-free.
The seller doesn’t mention anything specifically about the inside, but the only glaring defect I spotted is an upholstery tear on the driver’s half of the seat, and to be unrestored the rest of the interior is pretty well preserved. This Thunderbird is a hardtop-only car, and unfortunately, the top was damaged when someone moved the vehicle without securing it, but the seller thinks it’s very repairable.
The car still retains its original 292 cubic inch Y-Block V8, which was also introduced in 1955, along with the original 3-speed manual transmission. No word on whether either has had a rebuild, but the seller does say the engine runs nice and that the car has a recent complete reproduction fuel system, which includes a new gas tank, straps, gas cap, fuel lines, hoses, and fuel filter. What are your thoughts on this 1955 Ford Thunderbird? Do you think a complete restoration is in order, or is it better to preserve and enjoy just like it is?
Can this run on unleaded gasoline?
Yes. Put hardened valve seats in the cylinder heads and you are good to go.
Any engine rebuilt since the early 80s should be unleaded fuel friendly.
That short wheel base car has to be worth $20k, right? I’ve had a soft spot for these since they were normal used cars.
Nice clean design with good power. Same with the ’57. Couldn’t believe it when I saw the first ’56 with the continental kit on it. Looked like a miniature Hollywood Lincoln with a spare tire hanging off the rear.
No soft top and a damaged hard top? Better get ready to break out the bucks if you buy this one.
It’s fall 1955, you’ve been successful in your quest for the good life. Now you have some money and want a new car. You’re single so you want a two seater two door car, preferably a convertible, so you go shopping all the dealers. There’s the flashy new Corvette with Chevy’s new 265 V8. There’s foreign sports cars and then there’s the Thunderbird new for 55. Not quite a Sports car, not a sedan, but a beautiful new design from Ford. You opt for the 312 Thunderbird Special V8, you like shifting your own gears so you opt for the three speed transmission with overdrive. You do a lot of city driving so you opt for power steering and power brakes. You like the idea of a hardtop for winter driving and soft top for summer when a light rain comes up. Now what color do you choose; there are many to choose from, but you’ve always wanted a bright red car with matching interior. Oh what a glorious day when the dealer calls and says your car has arrived. Your heart races with excitement as you head to the dealer with your best friend to get your new car. Then the moment arrives, there it is shiny and clean gleaming in the afternoon sun. You sign the necessary paperwork and the moment has finally arrived you open the door and slide in the drivers seat, turn the key and listen to the music of the engine coming to life. You have already adjusted your seat and mirrors. You shift into first gear with clutch fully depressed, then the moment has arrived as you slowly lift your left leg engaging the clutch as you you gently press the gas pedal, you release the parking brake and the begins to move. As you drive away from the dealer you listen as the engine revs and you shift to second gear then third. The excitement is overwhelming but the fun cannot be explained. You feel like the luckiest man in the world. And you are.
God bless America
Retard at the end.
A soft top frame is really hard to find. Very expensive if you do.
Someone is going to get a really nice toy.
We found one in a barn, maybe 1980. 292, 3 speed with OD. Had to repaint the black laquer, and do some interior work. 6 volt system was a pain. With the top off (or on) my eyeball was at top of the windshield frame height, the wipers were vacuum so they stopped at idle, and everytime I drove it the radio tubes would heat up 5 minutes after start and scare the crap out of me when the radio came blasting on….. Beautiful to look at, not drive.
Great get in price for one of the best undervalued American Classics! IMHO.
AGREED. I had to go back and look at the price again. Damn! When you consider what 22K will get you these days for any car, let alone a beauty like this..
No top? Keep it in the garage till you find one.
Rip in the seat? Boo hoo hoo, nobody is gonna see it as you cruise down the road. Enjoy.
Jon n Chico nice to hear from you. Good information. Agree with everything you said.
God bless America
I can not believe this is still listed at that price! Especially since it’s a manual 3-speed and a rust free all original. A back glass is around $150 and new weather strip kit is around $400. Shoot the top with a quart of the cheapest white paint you can find (because it would be hard to match the original black) and have a very nice classic daily driver for less than $25k! Nice find!