In previous articles, we’ve discussed various classic cars and whether previous celebrity ownership adds to their value. That is the question posed by this 1955 Ford Thunderbird. It found its way from its former home onto US soil in 1981, where its owner immediately placed it in storage. Its previous owner was professional golfer Juan Antonio “Chi-Chi” Rodríguez. After four decades in storage, this T-Bird requires total restoration. The new owner will start with a solid foundation, but the process will represent a significant undertaking. If you feel up for the challenge, the Thunderbird is listed here on eBay in Holbrook, New York. The seller set their BIN at $12,500 but will entertain offers. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D, who has used his finely tuned radar to spot this classic.
The Thunderbird recently emerged from its slumber, and the time in storage hasn’t done it too much harm. Someone applied red primer over its original Snowshoe White paint, but it doesn’t appear to hide any nasty surprises. The panels sport a few bumps and marks, but none look irreparable. Encouragingly, there is no evidence of penetrating rust. The seller states the floors, trunk pan, and frame are rock-solid. However, the photos suggest the presence of significant surface corrosion, and the most effective way to tackle this would be if the buyer performs a frame-off restoration. The fender skirts and factory (non-original?) hardtop show no issues, but the car needs new bumpers. The remaining trim looks fine for a driver-grade classic, and the glass is spotless.
If the new owner’s aim is a faithful restoration, the interior requires a retrim. The existing Black upholstery isn’t original, with the factory Code XB combination of Red and White making a bold but classy statement. The most cost-effective alternative to return this interior to its former glory would be spending $2,200 on a kit in the correct combination in leather. That is a significant outlay, but as with any restoration, it represents a one-off expense. The buyer needs to source a replacement radio, and a few hard trim pieces may require restoration or replacement. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, although it features a four-way power seat.
Ford offered potential buyers a single engine in the 1955 Thunderbird. Therefore, it is unsurprising to lift this classic’s hood to find a 292ci Y-Block V8. The original owner left shifting duties to a three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission, which brings us to a fascinating point about this V8. Buyers could select from three transmissions in 1955, and if they specified a manual option, that 292 produced 193hp. With the auto bolted to the back, the figure rose to 198hp. Although the company focused on creating a personal luxury car, this classic’s ability to cover the ¼-mile in 17.2 seconds compared favorably with more sporting models. The seller indicates that although this V8 doesn’t run, it turns freely. Therefore, revival may not prove complicated, but any meticulous restoration will involve pulling the engine. Even if a rebuild proves unnecessary, it will allow an opportunity to inspect the drivetrain for leaks and detail everything to a high standard.
I am willing to stick my neck out about the celebrity ownership of this 1955 Ford Thunderbird and say that unless potential buyers are fans of Chi-Chi Rodríguez, I don’t believe the ownership history adds significantly to its potential value. If this were a car in the same category as a Black Trans Am owned by Burt Reynolds or the 1973 Stutz Blackhawk Elvis was driving when a lucky photographer snapped the last know photo before his death, the story could be significantly different. I believe the past owner adds to an interesting story but not to the value. Do you agree?
These are fun cruisers. The 4 way power seat was standard. That hardtop is from a ’56, as the ’55 hardtop didn’t have portholes. Or, maybe added to original one? They are fiberglass.
A few memories of Chi Chi – whenever he sank a long putt. The putter became a sword, with an elaborate ‘dance’ (think Zoro). See link below…
https://vimeo.com/66336037
Also – anytime I hear this golfer’s name, I immediately think of Less Nessman on WKRP in Cincinnati:
https://youtu.be/Djp82kDSc4I
I like the look and always thought I’d like one of these, but the story I heard from an owner is anybody over six feet won’t fit. I bought and restored a ;63 Impala convertible about 30 years ago. I had a friend at Virginia DMV research the titles and traced the car back to the original owner.
The guy told me that that 63 Impala was the last car he traded. He has the 65 Olds convertible that he traded it for, bought a few 65 Olds Convertibles since, then got into 66 Toronados and bought a few of them. When the new 68 GM body Olds came out, he bought some 68 Cutlass convertibles.
I asked him what he had and he said there were several buildings with 29 cars total, almost all Olds. The only one he regretted buying was a 57 T-Bird. He said that it’s cute, but he gets in it and bangs his knees and elbows on stuff, realizes that he doesn’t fit and it’s cute enough that he won’t sell it , but he doesn’t drive it.
I was over six feet when I owned a ’57 in high school. As a lanky kid, I fit the car just fine, especially under the hard top. I’d have to ‘hunker down’ a bit to get a good view out the side windows, though.
The only thing I didn’t like about the car was the turbulence behind that 45 degree windshield. It buffeted your head around pretty good at speed, and even blew my sunglasses off a time or two. No way to wear a hat or cap, or to keep something light from blowing out of the car. I’ve had other convertibles and none of them beat me up the way the T-bird did.
Oh please, few things are lamer ( more lame ?) than golf. I’m sorry, and a golf celebrity isn’t a NFL star, yet, the people line the sides as if this person is some hero. Maybe getting paid to watch. That ain’t workin’. Chi-Chi Rodriguez,,,I think people just liked the name,,,Chi-Chi, and why a big golf star would drive a T-bird, and not a Rolls or Caddy, doesn’t make a lick of sense. I only hope it looked better than this pulling up to the country club gates, backfiring, running poorly, muffler dragging,, “beat it, Chi-Chi”. Heck, paint it white and call it Suzanne Sommers car, but golfing? Meh,,,
Howard, wondering what are your thoughts about bowling?
I agree with your assessment on fame not affecting car values. Chi Chi Rodriguez was a popular top tier PGA touring professional and a role model for Hispanic people unfairly denied access to snooty country club golf courses. He could drive a golf ball as far as men twice his weight. But three things must be considered. There may not be sufficent provenance to show that Chi Chi used this Ford as his personal car even if he owned it as an investment. Younger sports fans probably never even heard of him since his peak fame was four decades ago. The collectible car must be judged on its own mechanical merits and doesn’t even run let alone the cost of paint and interior parts needed to make it show worthy.
Am I hung over or does it look like mud cracking on the L rear quarter panel (lower area)?
Chi Chi never made Tiger woods money, my grandfather won the us open in 1936, received 1000.00 dollars cash and a Buick. Convertible.
You’re Tony Manero’s grandson? You forgot to mention he had the lead in Saturday NIght Fever as well. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
But your observation is right on the money (couldn’t resist again). My father was an All-American and MVP on a national championship team in 1933. He was drafted by an NFL team but decided to teach instead. In those days he said they paid you $100 a game and bought you a new set of teeth at the end of the season. When Joe Willie Namath signed with the Jets for over $400K he remarked that he was born 30 years too early.
Yes times change for paying people in sports, actors and old car prices.
I wonder if it will come with a set of golf clubs
A couple fellows wondered why Chi Chi Rodriguez would drive a T-Bird instead of a big name luxury car and also about a larger fellow fitting into this ‘56. Here’s what I think may be the answers:
“Chi Chi Rodriguez Biography
One of the smallest golfers of his era at just 5-foot-7 and never more than 130 pounds, Chi Chi Rodriguez became one of the game’s biggest stars through his showmanship and shotmaking skills.”
Chi Chi would not have looked diminutive in this car. Looks like it might have been just right for him….
…can’t readily find a photo of him with his T-Bird…maybe the seller has one?
[can’t readily find a photo of him with his T-Bird]
….. nvr heard of this chap, but apparently still with us, ask him!
This is what I think of whenever I hear that name.
this car sold off facebook last month for $5k with deteriorated white paint. I have the pictures of how it was but I can’t attach ’cause I’m not a member. If I had the room I would have bought it then.
@Joe Bru so it’s been shot with primer and now it’s worth $12,500?
God bless capitalism…
NB: Puerto Rico is “US soil”.
I am excited to restore this 1955 T-Bird but the asking price is a little higher than I can afford especially since it will take thousands to complete the restoration.notify me if your willing to accept less.
Vinnie