1955 Ford Thunderbird (1955-1957)

This 1955 Ford Thunderbird is said to have been stored in a barn in Indiana for more than 40 years before being acquired by the seller in 2008 and undergoing a refurbishment between 2015 and 2021. The car was disassembled, and work included repairing body panels, a repaint in Thunderbird Blue, reupholstering the cabin in blue and white vinyl, overhauling the brake, suspension, and fuel systems, and rebuilding the 292ci V8, the three-speed Fordomatic automatic transmission, and the rear differential. Equipment includes a body-color removable hardtop, a white soft top, power-assisted brakes, power steering, a power-adjustable bench seat, a heater, power windows, and an AM radio. This Thunderbird is now offered with refurbishment records, manufacturer’s literature, spare parts, three covers, and a clean Indiana title in the seller’s name. The car was finished from the factory in Thunderbird Blue (T) and during the aforementioned refurbishment the body was removed from the frame, repaired, and repainted and the brightwork was restored. Features include a body-color non-porthole removable hardtop, a replacement white soft top, chrome bumpers, Fairlane-sourced headlight doors, solid front fenders, a driver-side mirror, auxiliary parking lights, fender skirts, reverse lights, and dual exhaust outlets that exit through the rear bumperettes. Paint bubbles in the right headlight surround are shown up close in the gallery below. A tear in the left side of the soft top has been covered with a Thunderbird emblem. Steel 15″ wheels with bright-finished wire-style covers are mounted with Coker wide-whitewall tires measuring 205/75. Stopping power is supplied by power-assisted drum brakes at each corner. The brake and suspension systems were overhauled during refurbishment, which included rebuilding the brake booster and replacing the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and fittings as well as the springs, ball joints, shackles, and tie rod ends. The power-adjustable bench seat was reupholstered in blue vinyl with white pleated inserts, and the color-coordinated door panels were also refreshed. Engine-turned trim adorns the dash and doors, while further details include a heater, an AM radio, an analog clock, a floor-mounted shifter, lap belts, power windows, a locking glovebox, and a plaid trunk mat. Wear on the lower-left side of the bench seat is shown up close in the gallery below. A removable center console and dash-mounted cup holders are included in the sale. The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and is mounted to a telescoping column. An Astra Dial instrument cluster houses a sweeping 150-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer indicates 67k miles, approximately 1,500 of which were added under current ownership. The Indiana title lists a “Not Actual” odometer brand, and total mileage is unknown. The P-code 292ci Y-block V8 was factory rated at 198 horsepower and underwent a rebuild in 2016 that included over-boring the block 0.040″, rebuilding the cylinder heads, installing a replacement wiring harness, and restoring the accessories. It is topped with a rebuilt four-barrel carburetor, and an upgraded six-blade cooling fan has been fitted along with a battery disconnect switch. The fuel system was also overhauled and included a replacement fuel tank, pump, sending unit, lines, and fittings. An oil change was performed in July 2023. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission. The transmission and rear differential were overhauled along with the refurbishment. Additional underside photos are provided in the gallery below. Decoding the data plate reveals the following production information: P – 292ci V8 5 – 1955 F – Dearborn, Michigan plant H – Thunderbird 171103 – Consecutive body number Body 40A – Thunderbird Paint T – Thunderbird Blue Paint Trim C – Turquoise and White Interior The Indiana title lists a “Not Actual” odometer brand.