1955 Ford Thunderbird

Description

The 1955 Ford Thunderbird marked Ford’s entry into the personal luxury car market, blending sporty performance with comfort and style. Introduced as a response to Chevrolet’s Corvette, the Thunderbird was not marketed as a pure sports car but as a “personal car of distinction.”

The Thunderbird featured a sleek two-seat design, removable fiberglass hardtop, and a powerful V8 engine, offering both speed and sophistication. Unlike the Corvette, the Thunderbird emphasized convenience, with options like power steering, power windows, and a well-appointed interior. Its elegant styling, combined with strong performance, made it an instant success, selling over 16,000 units in its first year — far surpassing Corvette sales.

This 1955 Ford Thunderbird, finished in white paint over a black-and-white vinyl interior, is equipped with a factory 292ci V8 engine and Ford-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. The car has benefited from numerous upgrades and maintenance work, particularly during its last 6,300 miles, with invoices totaling more than $23,000. Highlights include a rebuilt transmission, new white convertible soft top, recently installed factory-correct power steering, and reupholstered interior.

This T-Bird is now represented by a Broad Arrow Specialist with its factory hardtop and rolling stand, an electric lift for the hardtop, factory manuals, and a clean Arizona title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Refinished in white paint over black and white vinyl interior, new white convertible soft top

• $23,000 in work completed within the past 6,300 miles

• Factory hardtop

• Recently added factory-correct power steering

Factory Equipment

• 292ci V8 engine rated at 198 hp and 285 lb-ft. of torque

• Ford-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission

• 4-way power seat

• Fender skirts

• Full wheel covers

• The data plate decodes as:

  • Body: 40A – 1955-56 Thunderbird (first generation)

  • Paint color: T – Thunderbird Blue (now white)

  • Assembly date: C13 – 13 March 1955

  • Interior trim: E – Light gray vinyl/cloth (now black/white vinyl)

  • Production: LP1167 – Internal plant code

• The chassis number (P5FH205838) decodes as:

  • P – 292 cu-in 4bbl V8 198 hp

  • 5 – 1955 model year

  • F – Dearborn (Michigan) assembly plant

  • H – Thunderbird (convertible)

  • 205838 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• 12-volt electrical system conversion

• Electronic ignition

• Auxiliary electric cooling fan

• Engine dress-up kit

• Seat belts

• Rebuilt clock with refinished face (converted to 12V)

• LED taillight assemblies and reverse lights

Servicing & Documentation

• Service/maintenance during the last 6,300 miles (invoices totaling over $23,000 including modifications listed above):

  • Replaced rear main seal, oil pan gasket, oil pump, and valve cover gaskets (engine-out service)

  • Rebuilt transmission and converter (approx. 5,400 miles on rebuild)

  • Rear end serviced with new differential seal and new fluid

  • New factory-correct power steering added, consisting of power steering pump, control valve, cylinder ram, all new hoses, belts, brackets, etc.

  • New convertible soft top and swing arm assembly from Prestige Thunderbirds, including new powder coated top frame with swing bar, brackets, and mounting feet, new handles and hardware, and new white vinyl convertible top with zip down rear window

  • Rebuilt speedometer

  • New water pump

  • New headlight switch, turn signal switch, horn switch, cam, and parts

  • New dual exhaust

  • Rebuilt brakes with new wheels cylinders, hoses, shoes and rear drums

  • New window regulators

  • New windshield and gasket

  • New headliner and front and rear weatherstripping for hardtop

  • New factory-correct door panels by SMS Auto Fabrics, including new armrests, new aluminum trim, and new window and door handles

  • New exterior mirrors

  • New trunk carpet and trunk side panels (side panels not installed)

  • New sill plates

Known Imperfections

• Paint chips on door edges, right front wheel opening, near driver’s side mirror, along window edges of hardtop, and in door jambs

• Some paint cracking at emblem mounting points

• Scuffs on lower exterior of driver’s door

• Scuffs on rocker panels and paint bubbling on lower driver's side

• Driver’s door edge has tire pressure noted in black marker

• Stainless trim on hardtop and around windshield have normal wear including scratches, scuffing, and a ding in the lower windshield trim

• Chrome shows normal wear (fading, checkering, etc.)

• Blower motor and wipers are inoperable

• Radio works but sometimes struggles to change stations (may need lubrication of selector gears)

• Fuel gauge is intermittent (fuel sending unit is new)

• New reverse lights are installed but need to be wired to the reverse switch

• Power seat motor is working, but seat does not move (may need lubricating)

• Peeling on white wall portion of front tires

Ownership History

The current owner of this 1955 Ford Thunderbird purchased the car in Sun City, Arizona, in 2020. The previous caretaker reportedly kept it for approximately 7-10 years and also acquired it in Arizona, where it is said to have spent much of its life. The car has reportedly been garage kept, and the current owner has been diligent with maintenance and upkeep.

Included Items

• Service records (see "Additional documents" section below)

• Factory hardtop with rolling stand

• Electric lift for hardtop

• Removeable center console with cupholders

• Car cover

• 1955 Thunderbird Handbook, Wiring Manual, Fordomatic Shop Manual, and original sales brochure

• Thunderbird rubber floor mats

• Non-original spare tire and jack

• 2 sets of keys

• Small can of touch up paint (with paint code)

Additional Information

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Frank Malefors Phone: 602.488.7888 email: fmalefors@hagerty.com