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Black Plate Special: 1955 Ford Thunderbird

california-1955-thunderbird

If that last T-Bird was too rusty for you, then we have a good option. This 1955 Thunderbird was built on the first day of production and has lived its whole life in sunny California. After sitting in storage for over 45 years, it is still going to need a full restoration, but it will not be as intensive or expensive. Compare the photos of these two birds too see the difference lack of road salt and humidity can make. The seller is asking $29,500 for this one here on Hemmings.

california-1955-thunderbird-engine

california-1955-thunderbird-interior

california-1955-thunderbird-trunk

california-1955-thunderbird-fender

1955 Ford Thunderbird Values:
4: $17,200   3: $28,000   2: $38,300   1: $57,200
From Hagerty Price Guide

Comments

  1. Avatar Moepoe

    Neat car with Calif black plates. While it is a special car, $29,500 seems like a lot of $$ for a car that has so many needs. I’ve seen well-sorted ’57s for that kind of $$.

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  2. Avatar Jim Mosley

    Looks as though the California sun has done considerable damage ,especially to the interior. Price seems really too steep for the amount of money it will require to restore it.

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  3. Avatar scot

    ~ neat as they look the bumper exhaust ports are a pain in the butt.

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  4. Avatar Rick

    I dunno…I see a huge amount of bondo and cracked and fissured finish, which to me indicates both a major incident and sloppy repairs. The passenger door seam near the mirror and the fender next to it are a huge mess, like it has been T-boned there. In both photos of the top of the driver’s side door where it closes has a very large crack. Metal doesn’t crack, bondo does. The driver side quarter has a very large string of rust bubbles coming up through the paint. I don’t think this is the bargain it’s portrayed to be.

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  5. Avatar twwok

    Seller did have 2 of them. One was #8 and the other was #9. Both priced at $29,500.

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  6. Avatar BlackhorseLA

    thats about an 18k car at best…..we’ve bought several nice blackplate T- Birds for the same money in the past few months

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  7. Avatar Larry

    come on, $29,500. Lets get back down to earth. You can find a VERY NICE 55-57 for the same money. Getting real tired of people thinking they have a gold mine!!

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  8. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Agreed it’s overpriced, but if it is in decent condition underneath someone will probably want it—-it’s a first-year, first-DAY car.

    But that someone won’t be me. If a seller who wants a premium price can’t be bothered to roll the car outside so the pictures are worth looking at, then I can’t be bothered either.

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  9. Avatar paul

    I guess he thinks the early VIN is worth 10 g because you see these things all day long at 29 done.

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    • Avatar paul

      Repost, I think it’s worth about 10 g as it sits.

      Like 0

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