Decisions, decisions! That is what potentially faces some enthusiasts when they view this seller’s listing. They have a pair of 1955 Ford Thunderbird projects for sale, each with attributes making it attractive. One may have a slight edge, but the buyer must stump up some additional cash for the privilege. Let’s look at each and see which might best suit your needs. The T-Birds are listed here on Craigslist in Goodview, Virginia, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting them.

The Black T-Bird is the first to consider. It comes with a hardtop and a soft-top, and its rust issues are seemingly insignificant. It requires repairs but won’t consume countless hours and thousands of dollars to return to a rust-free state. The panels are pretty straight, and most trim pieces could be cleaned or restored. On the downside, it has damage to the front pillar and a cracked windshield. The damage would need to be repaired as part of the restoration. It looks like a straightforward proposition where most tasks could be tackled in a home workshop.

Both cars share the same interior trim combination of Code XA Black and White. The condition is difficult to determine due to the photo quality, but each shows promise. A deep clean would be the first task before compiling a shopping list. This one has no aftermarket additions, with its original owner ordering it with power windows, a power seat, and an AM radio. The interior appears complete and should be a good starting point for restoration.

The Black car’s ace could be its mechanical health. The original owner ordered the T-Bird with the 292ci V8, an automatic transmission, and power steering. The engine is freshly rebuilt and should deliver the 198hp it produced off the showroom floor. This motor ran on a stand to confirm that all was well following the refresh. The lack of rust and rebuilt powerplant means the seller is asking $8,000 for this classic.

The seller purchased this Yellow Thunderbird as an unfinished project. It hasn’t progressed further and has more extensive rust issues than the Black vehicle. It is unclear how severe the problems are, but it appears more cutting and welding will be involved to achieve a rust-free status. Some panels have been replaced as a starting point, but there’s more for the new owner to do. It has a hardtop, but I’m unsure whether there is a soft-top. Most of the trim has been removed but appears present and restorable. The glass looks good, but whipping this car into shape will take more effort than for our first T-Bird.

Interior trim color combinations aren’t the only common denominator with these two Fords because this one also scores power windows and a power seat. The overall impression is less favorable due to the accumulated dirt and dust, but it requires a deep clean to help determine what might need replacement. This car also scores a 292ci V8 but is backed by a three-speed manual transmission. The mechanical health is unclear, but this is a cheaper initial proposition at the seller’s price of $6,000.

It appears to be a case of “horses for courses” with this pair of 1955 Ford Thunderbirds. The seemingly more straightforward project will be the Black car due to its lack of significant rust. It would suit someone happy to be hands-on but a person who isn’t willing or able to perform substantial rust repairs. Its rebuilt engine is an added attraction, meaning the car will eventually hit the road in good mechanical health with minimal effort. A more skilled enthusiast could find the Yellow car irresistible. It requires more time and effort, but if the new owner is genuinely DIY in their approach, the lower sale price means they could buy a lot of parts and material with the spare $2,000. I wouldn’t know which to choose, but would you?