This 1955 Ford Thunderbird was purchased by the seller’s parents following their marriage in 1956, and it has since been driven approximately 100k miles. The car was restored between 1992 and 1994, with work including a rebuilt of the 292ci V8, repainting the Thunderbird Blue exterior, and replacing the turquoise and white pleated vinyl. Inherited by the seller in 2021, it was further updated with whitewall tires, chrome work, an overhaul of the fuel system, and replacement of the oil pan and valve cover seals. The car also has a three-speed Fordomatic automatic transmission, a Thunderbird Blue-finished removable hardtop, and a power-adjustable bench. This Thunderbird is now offered with spare parts, manuals, and a clean California title.
The seller reports that the body was removed during the restoration between 1992 and 1994. It was repainted its factory shade of Thunderbird Blue at that time, and the seller notes that the soft top was not replaced, though the frame and associated parts have been retained. In 2023 the hood scoop was replaced and both bumpers were rechromed. The windshield wipers require repairs to function properly, and the seller notes there are paint flaws that are hard to photograph.
In November 2023, the seller had American Classic wide-whitewall tires mounted. Stopping power is supplied by drum brakes at each corner, with a flush of the system carried out in 2023.
The power-adjustable bench seat is upholstered in turquoise and white pleated vinyl, which was replaced during the 1994 restoration along with the carpeting. The seller notes a flaw in the dashboard material, and the radio and clock do not work.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames an Astra Dial instrument cluster housing a sweeping 150-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer has rolled over and now reads 550 miles, approximately 100 of which were added since the seller inherited the car.
The P-code 292ci Y-block V8 is topped with a four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 198 horsepower. The seller states the engine was rebuilt between 1992 and 1994. An oil change was performed in 2024, and additional work since 2022 included:
- Installing a retro-look 6V battery
- Coolant flush and radiator hoses replacement
- Belt replacement
- Rebuild of the carburetor
- Rechroming valve covers
- Replacing valve cover gaskets
- Oil pan seal and pick-up tube replacement
- Fuel tank and lines replacement
- Fuel pump rebuild.
Power is routed to the rear wheels via a Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission.
A collection of spare parts for 1955-1957 Thunderbirds is also included and displayed further in the gallery along with records and manuals.