1955 Ford Red Thunderbird Convertible
VIN #: P5FH172048
Total Miles: 94,850
Fredericksburg, TX
Price: $48,900
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The Ford Thunderbird was born from the idea that Ford Motor Company should have a sportier vehicle as part of their automobile line. This idea was pursued by the company who decided to pursue a “true Ford sports car” for their 1955 model year.
In 1953 Ford secretly launched a team to develop a competitor for the Corvette. The Thunderbird had a V-8 engine from the start. It also had an all-steel body with a fashionable wrap-around windshield.
The original Ford Thunderbird Engine: V-8, 292 cubic inch displacement, pushrod actuated overhead valves. Horsepower 198.
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A removable fiberglass hardtop was standard equipment. In contrast to the first Corvettes, Thunderbird offered luxury optional features such as power steering, power brakes, power seats and power windows, etc.
Ford unveiled the Thunderbird at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954. The first production car came off the line on September 9, 1954, and went on sale on October 22, 1954, as a 1955 model, and sold briskly; 3,500 orders were placed in the first ten days of sale.
Ford never offered the 1955 through 1957 Thunderbirds with factory air-conditioning. The 1955 through 1957 Thunderbirds have complete after-market Air Conditioning Kits that makes it simple to add modern comfort AC and convenience to this beloved classic.
The car used existing chassis and suspension design and off-the-shelf Ford mechanical components. It was constructed using a body-on-frame technique using a version of the standard Ford design cut-down to a 102-inch wheelbase identical to the Corvette’s. The engine was paired either with a Fordomatic automatic or manual overdrive transmissions, and the car featured four-way powered seats and interior door handles. Other unique features were a telescoping steering wheel and a tachometer.
OVERVIEW & SPECIFICATIONS – Ford 1955 Thunderbird Convertible For Sale.
This 1955 Thunderbird includes standard and optional equipment as follows:
- Ford V-8, 292 cubic inch displacement, (referred to as the “Y” Block), pushrod actuated overhead valves.
- Horsepower: 198 which got 18 mpg‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg‑imp)
- The dual exhaust pipes exits through twin bumper guards bolted to the rear bumper
- Transmission: Three – speed, “Ford-O-Matic” automatic transmission
- Power steering
- Power assist brakes ready (easy installation)
- Four-way power seat
- Fog lamps
- Tires – standard for 1955 whitewall tires
- Spyder wheels (click to view article)
- Extra set of standard Thunderbird hub caps
- Tachometer
- Removable red hardtop
- AM “Town & Country” signal seeking radio
- Ford 9” Differential Rear End
- Front Disk Brakes & Rear Drum Brakes (click to view front Disc Brake Installation)
- Dual master brake cylinders
- Air Conditioning by Classic Auto Air Mfg “Perfect Fit” In-Dash Heat / Cool / Defrost (click to view Air Conditioning installation and operating instructions)
- Exterior Color: Red (click to view paint code specifications)
- Interior Color – Off White
- Seat Material – Off White Leather
- Headliner – Off White Vinyl
- Red floor carpeting
- Transmission: Automatic Three Speed
- Fuel Pump: Yearwood Performance (In-Tank Fuel Pump 190 LPH, part # EDE17931)
- 1955 Thunderbird updated fuel tank (click to view information)
- Convertible: with removable red hardtop
- Exterior Mirror – Driver Side
- Electrical System – Upgraded from 6 VAC to 12 VAC system
- Original Ford Operating and Shop Manuals included (click to view manual front covers)
- Texas 1955 front and rear unregistered license plates – Excellent Condition
The Engine was professionally built and restored by Doug Anderson who is considered by many to be the best in the industry. The restoration of the 292 Ford “Y” block Engine has many performance upgrades as follows:
- Line bored, decked, squared and balanced
- 57 intake and heads
- 312 rods & crankshaft
- Pistons Pop-Up 30 thousand over size
- Pistons hi compression 10/1, probe FPS & SRS forged
- Hard seats in the heads with large valves
- Hi performance cam shaft – idles and runs smoothly
- Cubic inches increased from 292 to 320
- Mallory ignition
- Ford sun visors
- Aluminum Radiator with belt driven & electric fans
- Electric Radiator Fan with on/off override switch used only when needed
- Engines Horsepower increased to approximately 320
- Alternator & Water Pump Belt: NAPA XL 25-9415 (click to view alternator installation)
- Power Steering & AC Belt: Duralast V Belt Banda V 17550 (old number), 13A1395 (new number)
This 1955 Ford Thunderbird is in pristine condition and truly something that must be seen in person to be appreciated to the fullest.
STATUS of CAR
- Odometer: approximately 94,750 miles
- Engine Condition: Excellent 9.9
- Engine Exterior Red Paint – Good 9.0
- Exterior Condition – Excellent 9.8
- Interior Condition – Excellent 9.5
- Tires – Good condition
- Brakes – Good Condition
- Title Status – Clear – no liens
For Information Contact:
Ralph Ragland
When calling, please leave a voice message and I will return your call promptly. Thank you for your interest.