Other than telling us this 1955 Ford Thunderbird drove into the barn under its own power two years ago and will fire up now, the seller doesn’t give us many details about the car. It’s listed for sale here on eBay where there’s not a reserve and bidding is only up to $9,400 as I write. The first-year Thunderbird is located in Pensacola, Florida. Are you going to be the worm that gets snatched up by this early ‘Bird?
At first glance, the car presents itself well, but as you look closer at some of the pictures, it’s apparent there is rust on several body panel edges. This is particularly true at door bottoms and in the trunk area. It doesn’t look like anything that would be extremely difficult to repair, though We’re told that the soft top is present along with the pretty factory hardtop. Trivia time: you can tell it’s a ’55 rather than a ’56 because there’s no opening footwell vent in the sides of the front fenders.
I’m torn on the paint. It’s obviously faded, but it does have somewhat of a period look (I’m sure it’s a repaint, though). Given the expense of rechroming/replacing the bumpers, my budget would demand that I live with the paint for a while too. Have any of you tried reproduction polished stainless steel bumpers yet? I’ve got one set for one of my Triumphs and they were far cheaper than getting the originals re-chromed and look great.
The seller tells us that the interior is actually in nice shape under the dirt and debris. You would think they would take a picture without all the stuff in the way, then, right? Of course, no one knows the exact circumstances of the sale apart from the seller, so I’m not judging, I just wish for their sake we could see more of the car.
Assuming for the moment we are looking at the original engine, this is a 292-cubic-inch Y-block V8, the only engine available in the first year of the Thunderbird. The seller does have the rest of the air cleaner; it was removed to see if the engine could be started. What do you think about this early ‘Bird? What are they like to drive?
My favorite year but wouldn’t touch this one without getting a look underneath. Also, if the replacement SS bumpers are made in the US you’re good. If not, good luck having them last too long. If the underside of this car is good and I wanted to buy one I’d jump all over it.
You can tell it’s a ’55 rather a ’56 because all ’56 models had the continental kit on the rear … had two ’55s and liked the way they drove … down the road I’m looking for a ’57 E-Code with manual transmission …
Also the exhaust came out of the corners of the rear bumper on the 56 .
The ’55 was 8-10 inches shorter, wasn’t it?
I think the seller is much more optomistic about the condition of this Bird than I am. Biding is just under 10 K now and that too me ,is a high bid. My best friend in High School had a 55 and it was kind of a POS and it was only six years old. None the less, I have always wanted one.
The obvious difference is that the taillight , like the other Ford models for the 56 models, was changed . The top of he light was at an angle.
Also the exhaust came out of the corners of the rear bumper on the 56 .
I had my father’s ’55 which he bought from his brother’s dealership in Dec. of ’54, a really early one. My son has it now and drives it some every year. The one big problem with this model was overheating and if you didn’t replace the fan for as large a one as possible you had trouble.
Am I the only one that thinks the hood is bowed on the drivers side? Reminds me of one years ago that the hinges bound and bowed the hood. Considering it’s a 65 year old car, it’s in pretty good shape overall IMO.