1955 Ford Thunderbird

MUSEUM CAR Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

P5FH224563

Gasoline

THIS 1955 THUNDERBIRD WAS ON DISPLAY IN AN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM AND IS THE KIND OF VINTAGE CAR COLLECTORS DREAM OF FINDING! THIS IS A RUST-FREE "ORIGINAL" LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA THUNDERBIRD! THIS AMAZING 56,853 ORIGINAL MILE 1955 T-BIRD HAS “RARE” OPTIONS AND IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL MAINTAINED PRIME “SURVIVOR”. IT LANGUISHED IN AN AUTO MUSEUM FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, WHERE IT WAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AND VERY WELL CARED FOR! IT LOOKS SO GOOD THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD THINK IT IT HAS BEEN RESTORED! I CANNOT OVER EMPHASIZE THE RARITY AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS THUNDERBIRD! THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER '55 T-BIRD! THE VALUES OF COLLECTOR CARS THAT RETAIN THEIR "ORIGINAL" PARTS IS INCREASING AT A PHENOMENAL RATE BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY HARD TO COME BY! THE 1955 THUNDERBIRD WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE "BABY BIRD"! THE DAZZLING PERIOD DESIGN AND TURQUOISE/WHITE COLOR SCHEME IS STILL BREATHTAKING TODAY! THIS IS AN EXCELLENT "ORIGINAL" 56,853 MILE CALIFORNIA T-BIRD IN AMAZING CONDITION. THIS BEAUTIFUL THUNDERBIRD WAS BUILT ON JUNE 16, 1955 AND WAS SOLD NEW BY A LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA FORD DEALERSHIP. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ALL THE HIGHLY DESIRED OPTIONS, SUCH AS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, POWER SEAT, RADIO, HEATER, WINDSHIELD WASHER, FENDER SKIRTS, ENGINE DRESS UP KIT, WIDE WHITE SIDE WALL TIRES, TRUNK LIGHT, AND HARD TOP. THIS EXAMPLE IS STUNNING IN ITS ORIGINAL TURQUOISE & WHITE PAINT AND MATCHING INTERIOR! EXTERIOR THIS FABULOUS THUNDERBIRD IS QUITE A BEAUTY! IT IS FITTED WITH A HARDTOP, FENDER SKIRTS AND A NEW SET OF B.F. GOODRICH SILVERTOWN WIDE WHITE WALL TIRES. THE EXTERIOR HAS ITS FACTORY ORIGINAL TURQUOISE & WHITE COLOR PAINT, WHICH SHOWS VERY WELL AND HAS A VERY GOOD SHINE. THE CHROME ON THE BUMPERS AND OPTIONAL FULL WHEEL COVER HUB CAPS LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW AND ALL OTHER EXTERIOR CHROME, STAINLESS TRIM, GRILLE, GLASS, WEATHERSTRIPPING, AND CHROME WINDOW TRIM ARE ALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION! THE HARD TOP IS IN UNBELIEVABLE PRESERVED ORIGINAL CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT! IT EVEN STILL HAS ITS FACTORY ORIGINAL CLOTH-COVERED WEATHER STRIPPING, ALL UN-FRAYED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION! THIS IS A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF AN "ORIGINAL"1955 THUNDERBIRD IN A FABULOUS PERIOD COLOR! INTERIOR WHEN YOU SIT DOWN INSIDE THIS THUNDERBIRD, IT FEELS LIKE BEING BACK IN 1955. EVERYTHING IN THE INTERIOR APPEARS TO BE ORIGINAL AND IN INCREDIBLE CONDITION, INCLUDING THE DASH PAD, INSTRUMENTS, GEAR SELECTOR, DOOR PANELS, CARPET, DOOR SILL PLATES, ETC., ETC., ETC. JUST LOOK AT THE PHOTOS. THE INTERIOR IS AMAZING! THE INTERIOR LOOKS SO NEW, EVERYONE WILL THINK IT’S BEEN RESTORED! THIS T-BIRD HAS POWER WINDOWS, POWER SEAT, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, HEATER, AND ORIGINAL RADIO, ALL MAKING THIS THUNDERBIRD VERY PLEASANT TO DRIVE! ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS ALSO IN REMARKABLE "ORIGINAL" CONDITION AND STILL APPEARS NEAR NEW. IT IS FITTED WITH THE OPTIONAL ENGINE DRESS UP KIT. TRUNK AS WITH THE REST OF THIS AMAZING 1955 T-BIRD, THE TRUNK STILL HAS ITS ORIGINAL RUBBER TRUNK MAT THAT APPEARS NEAR NEW. THIS T-BIRD ALSO HAS THE VERY “RARE” OPTIONAL TRUNK LIGHT. MECHANICALS THIS 1955 THUNDERBIRD HAS ITS CORRECT ORIGINAL 6V SYSTEM THAT WORKS PERFECTLY. SHE STARTS EVERYTIME, FIRST TIME! IT IS POWERED BY ITS 292 CU. IN. V-8 ENGINE AND 4BBL HOLLEY CARBURETOR. THE FORDOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES ALL OPERATE PERFECTLY. THE SUSPENSION IS TIGHT, JUST LIKE NEW, AND IS VERY RESPONSIVE MAKING THIS T-BIRD VERY PLEASANT TO DRIVE!. THIS T-BIRD RUNS & DRIVES EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, JUST LIKE IT DID WHEN NEW! EQUIPMENT RECAP: Radio Heater Trunk Light Power Seat Fender Skirts Power Brakes Power Steering Power Windows Windshield Washer Engine Dress-up Kit Automatic Transmission Wide White Side Wall Tires Full Wheel Cover Hub Caps VIN & TRIM TAG CODES: NOTE: EVERYTHING IS CORRECT! Vin# P5FH224563 P=292 4V V-8 5=1955 F=Dearborn, Michigan Assembly Plant H=Thunderbird 224563=Unit # Vehicle Data Body 40A=Thunderbird Color T=Thunderbird Blue (Turquoise) Trim C=Turquoise/White Interior Date 16F=Built June 16, 1955 LP=Los Angeles, California District Sales Office (DSO) 1482=Scheduled Unit # THE 1955 THUNDERBIRD The Ford Thunderbird is an American automotive icon first introduced in 1955. While no cars had been produced during World War II, the late 1940's saw a huge rush in production as the American car companies tried to fill the postwar demand for vehicles. One of the most popular types of vehicle was the sports car. American soldiers in Europe during the war had seen Italian, German, French, and English sports cars and had brought some of these vehicles home with them. At the same time, interest in motorsports increased and car racing gained popularity. Given these influences and the burgeoning American economy it was no surprise that the introduction of the 1955 Thunderbird was a huge success, easily filling a market niche. As Motor Trend's Detroit editor, Don McDonald wrote "Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the new Ford Thunderbird is the clever wedding of sports car functionalism with American standards of comfort". The T-Bird roadster, introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in 1954, was a two door roadster with a focus on modern comforts, conveniences and all weather protection, as well as power, performance and handling. In short, it was the essence of personal luxury. More than 5,000 names were considered for the new Ford project in 1954. A young Ford car stylist, Alden "Gib" Giberson, won a $95 suit and an extra pair of pants from Saks Fifth Avenue for suggesting the name Thunderbird. Thunderbird enjoys a storied history whose iconoclastic entry onto the scene in 1954 single-handedly erected the personal luxury-car segment in the United States. The Thunderbird two-seater was instantly popular with overtones of a high performance sports car, yet it had a strong appeal to luxury-minded buyers seeking refinements such as roll-up windows, a selection of power extras, and steel bodywork as opposed to fiberglass. Production of the car designed by William P. Boyer (under the direction of Franklin Q. Hershey) began Sept. 9, 1954, at Ford’s Dearborn (Mich.) Assembly Plant and generated immediate excitement. Customer demand for Thunderbird resulted in its October public introduction which was nearly a full month ahead of schedule. Public orders totaled more than 3,500 within the first 10-day selling period, while planned volume for the model year was only 10,000 units. Ford sold a first year total of 16,155 Thunderbirds. The 1955 model had a removable hardtop with a 102 inch wheelbase chassis that was 175.3 inches overall, with a width of 72 inches and a height of 52 inches. Curb weight was 2833 pounds. The engine was a Mercury 292 cubic inch V-8, exclusive to the Thunderbird line, which had 198 horsepower with the automatic and 193 horsepower with the manual transmission. The car sold for a base price of $2,695 and was available in five colors: Thunderbird Blue, Raven Black, Snowshoe White, Goldenrod Yellow, and Torch Red. All cars had vinyl upholstery matching the exterior paint color. The Baby-Bird continued in production for only three years, with the 1957 Thunderbird the last year of the classic two-seaters. The last one rolled off the assembly line Dec. 13, 1957, bringing an end to an iconic era. WHEN I DRIVE THIS 1955 T-BIRD DOWN THE ROAD, OTHER MOTORISTS ARE IN AWE OF THIS MID 1950’S AMERICAN SPORTS CAR. I GET FREQUENT HONKING, SMILING, NODS AND THUMBS UP SHOWING THEIR APPROVAL! WITH ITS JET-AGE STYLING AND PERIOD TURQUOISE & WHITE COLOR SCHEME, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF A VERY FEW "ORIGINAL" 1955 T-BIRD "SURVIVORS" IN THE WORLD. THE CONDITION IS ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING! REMEMBER THAT A CAR MAY BE RESTORED MANY TIMES, BUT IT'S “ORIGINAL” ONLY ONCE! DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE-OF-A-LIFETIME TO ACQUIRE THIS FABULOUSLY ICONIC 1955 THUNDERBIRD THAT WILL GIVE YOU YEARS OF DRIVING ENJOYMENT AND IMMENSE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP. THIS T-BIRD WILL DELIGHT EVEN THE MOST DISCRIMINATING COLLECTOR! READY TO SHOW OR DRIVE See my (428) 100% Feedbacks and BID WITH CONFIDENCE! BID TO WIN! Vehicle Condition: AS YOU KNOW BY NOW, THIS ORIGINAL 1955 THUNDERBIRD IS IN REMARKABLE CONDITION. THIS VERY ATTRACTIVE VINTAGE AMERICAN SPORTS CAR RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE IT DID WHEN NEW! This Thunderbird is 55 years old, so some minor signs of age are to be expected! Let me first say that nearly everything appears to be in incredible unrestored original condition. However, it is possible that a previous owner may have replaced a few items. The entire interior appears to be excellent factory original and is in near NEW condition. The steering wheel does show some cracking and it may have been touched up at one time. As would be expected, the clock is not currently working, to be expected in a vehicle this age. The original factory radio lights up and hums, but there is no clear sound and most likely needs to have a tube replaced. The power seat reacts to the switches, but barely moves forward & back. I suspect that it needs only lubrication, but since it is back now I didn’t feel the need to have it looked at. The exterior is beautiful! The chrome bumpers look brand new and may have been rechromed. The hub caps look new as well and may have been replaced with NOS parts. The turquoise paint has an excellent shine and does show some patina from age, and there are some chip touchups. I cannot tell if any part has been resprayed or not. Most everything under the hood (except the chrome air cleaner top that appears to be a new replacement), the interior, trunk and exterior appear to be stock original components that have been amazingly well maintained! The exhaust looks new. The license plate is not included. Note that the odometer reading above reflects this T-Bird’s actual 56,853 original total miles. This Thunderbird will turns heads and get thumbs up virtually everywhere it goes! Terms of Sale: BIDS ARE BINDING. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK THEM PRIOR TO BIDDING. A 25% DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED IN THE FORM OF CASHIERS CHECK OR WIRE TRANSFER WITHIN 72 HOURS OF THE CLOSE OF BIDDING. THE REMAINING BALANCE IS DUE IN THE FORM OF CASHIERS CHECK OR WIRE TRANSFER WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE CLOSE OF BIDDING. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN WEST HILLS, CALIFORNIA AND YOU ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO INSPECT THIS FINE AUTOMOBILE. SELLER IS WILLING TO ASSIST WINNING BIDDER IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT & DELIVERY, HOWEVER, ALL COSTS FOR TRANSPORT & DELIVERY ARE TO BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE SHIPPER BY THE WINNING BIDDER. I AM EXPERIENCED IN VINTAGE CAR SALES AND WILL ASSIST WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE TRANSACTION. EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ACCURATELY DESCRIBE THIS VEHICLE AND DISCLOSE ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD “AS-IS”. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO HAVE INSPECTED OR TO HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY, TO HAVE SATISFIED HIMSELF/HERSELF AS TO THE CONDITION AND VALUE, AND TO BID BASED SOLELY UPON THAT JUDGMENT. I ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY UNINTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR REPAIRS THAT MAY BE NEEDED. Seller reserves the right to end this auction early due to prior sale, and to reject bids from anyone with Zero or Negative feedback. If you do not have a good positive feedback rating, please contact me by telephone or email to discuss your intentions and ability to pay for the car if you are the winning bidder. SALES TO CALIFORNIA BUYERS WITHOUT A DEALER'S LICENSE WILL BE SUBJECT TO SALES TAX. PLEASE CALL TO DISCUSS. THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN WEST HILLS, CA., 20 MILES FROM LOS ANGELES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VEHICLE, EMAIL OR CALL STEVE Stevekr2000@aol.com *(818) 340-4700* Additional photos are available and all questions will be gladly answered! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INVESTMENT GRADE VEHICLE CAN BE FINANCED THROUGH JJ BEST CLASSIC CAR FINANCE. YOU CAN OWN AND ENJOY YOUR DREAM CAR TODAY AND PAY IT OFF OVER TIME! VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT http://www.jjbest.com/ OR CONTACT LENNY FOUGERE AT (800) USA-1965 FOR MORE DETAILS OR CONTACT LENNY FOUGERE AT (800) USA-1965 FOR MORE DETAILS. On Nov-04-10 at 13:31:58 PDT, seller added the following information: MANY MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST!