Deep Paint/White Hardtop/292ci V8/3-Speed Overdrive/Excellent Overall Condition

1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

Picture if you will, a 1953 Ford Fordor sedan, sliced in half at the B-pillar and welded together minus its entire rear door and rear quarter area. The rearmost portion of the roof, including the window, is awkwardly moved forward about three feet, and the entire car finished in a rough fashion. This homely car was christened the "Burnetti" after its creator, Ford engineer Bill Burnett, and was designed to simulate the packaging of a European sports car for American tastes; it was a major step towards creating what would become one of America's most beloved and most collectible two-seaters of all time-the original 1955-'56-'57 Ford Thunderbird.

For consignment, version 1 edition 1 of the Ford Thunderbird. This ragtop/hardtop, sports car was innovative for its time, and this particular car was restored about 16 years ago. It still maintains its shine and is looking sharp on all fronts. A beautiful interior is also retained, and the engine runs on a 12-volt system. Some spare extra parts are available, and we are in rarefied air with this year 1955 in such good condition.

Exterior
Starting upfront, we can see a beautiful original and mirror-like bumper with mini "Dagmar" style bumperettes attached which take on a jet engine-like appearance. Directly above is a well preserved egg crate grille, and flanking this on either side is a single headlight. A long scooped hood rolls its way back to the passenger compartment all bathed in Torch Red which is nearly perfect on the quality front. The passenger compartment is compact and is topped with a white hardtop with iconic porthole windows. The frame for the top is included but it needs a canvas overlay. On back small fins float above round taillights and point skyward with backup lights inserted within, again emulating jet age design. Another clean bumper this time the "Dagmars" house the exhaust tailpipes. Wide whites surround chromed shiny spoked wheel covers.

Interior
The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in red vinyl with some white vinyl accenting, and a strip of machined aluminum through the center. These are very clean, and look the part, as they melt into the curved dash keeping the machined metal line through the center. Power seat adjustments are on the door panels. A fan style speedometer is above on the painted metal red dash top and bottom. A near perfect bench seat complete with red smooth bolsters and white tuck and roll inserts and seat belts, an early option for Ford. Nice condition red carpet floods the floors, and the original red and chrome horn ring steering wheel fronts the pristine dash. A red tonneau cover is in the rear storage area and awaits to cover the top when it is in the down position.

Drivetrain
A 292ci V8 engine is in a clean and shiny engine bay. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a chromed "combat helmet" style air cleaner cover. Red is reserved for the block, and shiny Thunderbird badged horizontal ribbed valve covers add some more bling to the bay. A Ford 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive is on back, and a Ford 9-inch rear, and a 3.73 rear axle, and we can complete the drivetrain.

Undercarriage
Totally restored to showroom condition, shiny black floor pans and rockers are really beautifully preserved. The patina X frame is structurally sound with no rust. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear make up the suspension and drum brakes are all around. Beautifully preserved for its ripe age.

Drive-Ability
Not a ton of room in these early birds, but once in, they are comfy. This car fired right up and took off for the test track where it flew around in circles with ease. A strong accelerator, and good stopper are also good qualities to have in such an early car and they are working. I noticed the overdrive is not working and the consigner states it needs a new solenoid.

All in all a wonderful example that has been restored a bit ago but still retains its luster and charm. A hardtop and complete convertible frame, no canvas, assures you motoring throughout the year, although with a classic as such I personally don't know whether you would be doing too much winter driving. Either way you can soar through town, screech the tires, and turn some heads...all the way around! I'm seeing RED!..I hope it's not the police?!

VIN DECODE
P5FH188516
P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
188516-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR E-Snowshoe White
TRIM B-Red & White

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.