Ford introduced a 2-seat car in 1955, the Thunderbird. Unlike the other 2-seater over at Chevrolet (Corvette), the T-Bird was a personal luxury car (even though it was more powerful than the early ‘Vettes). This ’55 Thunderbird is said to have once been restored, but it seems to have languished and been unused in more recent times. Located in what appears to be a salvage yard in Las Vegas, Nevada, this old Bird is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $5,100 (and no reserve).
The early T-Birds were a much bigger hit than the Corvettes. More than 53,000 copies were sold in 1955-57, yet Ford thought they could do better. They added wheelbase and a rear seat in 1958 and went on to produce nearly four times as many units in the next three years. Ford sold a little more than 16,000 Thunderbirds (like this one) in 1955. At first glance, I thought it might be a ’57 since you rarely see a ’55 without rear fender skirts. Only one engine was offered in 1955, the 292 cubic-inch “Y-block” OHV V8 that produced 198 hp.
We’re told the seller has owned this car for more than five years, but that could be a plug figure. It was restored at some point, though we don’t know when. It appears to have been sitting outside long enough for the dark red paint to begin to oxidize, but it might respond to rubbing compound and wax to regain its luster. The interior is quite dirty, but a good detailing may be able to turn things around.
We’re told the car runs so perhaps its period of being idle is not an issue. But you will need or scare up a new battery and maybe run out some old gasoline. The T-Bird is said to have a manual transmission which should be a 3-speed. The seller says the Ford has a “clean red title” which in Nevada usually means it’s a salvage or rebuilt title, so buyers should get clarification before taking the purchase plunge. This might end up being a nice vintage ride once again if there are no surprises.
“Clean Red Title”.
Never heard that before. All salvage titles in Nevada are orange and have met a certain criteria to that end https://dmv.nv.gov/salvage.htm
Be interesting to find out the complete “back story” on a classic like this..is it worth it for spares at about this price point?
This T-Bird has great potential. If the bid stays below $10k you got yourself a deal. Salvaged titles can be a bit of a pain however you just have to stay patience and work with your DMV.
This T-Bird sure looks sun baked ( Thanks to the Vegas sun ! ) I also think that its a do-able project for the right “danaro” ! It would be tempting however its just to far away from Ohio .
Up to $8100, now.
Restored? Let’s see the underside! That will tell all
The sun-baked matte red, doesn’t look bad!
Have a friend who bought a 1955 T-bird at a very good price. It looks great with nice paint and interior. It had some stupid stuff done to it. So he brought it over to me to help him with it. The engine had been changed to ???? It was still a “Y” block, but the intake manifold screamed 272 2 barrel truck motor. We spent some time taking out the stupid and swapped over to a better manifold and carb. It now drives well and he has taken it on vacation with no issues. I never really liked them, ( I was a Corvette guy) but I have now an appreciation for them.
While I am a true Corvette sort of a fella, I am strangely attracted to certain models of Fords, and the “baby Bird” is one of them. That being said, I am also confused as to why they don’t command more money. If this example doesn’t have any hidden secrets and doesn’t get run up to some crazy price, this could bee a nice buy.
Oldrodder: have you owned/driven one? a lot of folks weighed in on this topic a few months ago on Barn finds. I have owned both but prefer the corvette, which is lighter, shorter, unique looking, better styling and better handling car. Birds sit low like a sports car but are not; most of them have an automatic with a 2 position (drive) shifter, very un-sporty. They look plain next to a corvette, similar to the slab-sided Ford sedans and weigh similar to them, drive and handle like a sedan, cramped seat position, overheat, have or had rust issues (therefore Bondo present underneath paint on most). You can spend a bunch of money to fix most of these things, say Resto-mod, which many do but then you don’t have an original bird and many think the charm is lost and you have more cash in the car than you can sell it for. Some owners ditch the heavy original engine, but it seems to de-value these cars and make them harder to re-sell one the fun wears off.
The price for these has already peaked. (About 8-10 years ago.)
Yea, these baby birds never took off like rest of ’em. I had a 55 that I never restoed, and would like to get another. Goodluck
Gaspumpchas