The car got some slight restyling and added a convertible option in 1958, and production soured. The T-Bird quickly became popular with racing enthusiasts, they were a staple of 1950s and 1960s drag racing.įord produced the second generation of the Thunderbird from 1958–1960, and in 1959 Ford gave the T-Bird its first big-block V8 engine, a 430 cid V8 making 350 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The Thunderbird vastly outsold the Corvette even though they sold for similar prices. Ford created the Thunderbird to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette that General Motors had released a few years earlier in 1953. Available engines were either a 292 or 312 cid V8, and in 1957 a supercharger was added to increase horsepower and torque. The first generation of the Thunderbird lasted from 1955–1957. In 1967, Ford brought out the first four-door T-Bird in history, which was very successful at first, but sales soon slumped. Originally, Ford only made the Thunderbird available as a two-door convertible with a removable fiberglass top, but soon they added a Rayon-top option, and in 1958 Ford introduced a four-seater version. The Thunderbird sold well, almost eclipsing 100,000 cars annually for a few model years. The first six generations of the Ford Thunderbird spanned 22 model years from 1955–1976. Make sure to check out our other article for the 1977–2005 Ford Thunderbird. This article will cover the first six generations of the Thunderbird, from 1955–1976. From 1968–1971, Ford released the ThunderJet variant, which was essentially a muscle car with its 429 cid V8 engine pumping out 360 horsepower and almost 500 lb-ft of torque. The 1950s T-Birds are some of the most recognizable American cars of all-time, with their classic tailfins and headlights. It did make one last comeback from 2002–2005 for an 11th generation, but Ford has since retired the moniker again.Īlso known as the “T-Bird,” in 1957 the Thunderbird became one of the first production cars with a factory equipped supercharger. The original run of the Thunderbird lasted for 10 generations from the 1955–1997 model years, before Ford briefly halted production. First introduced for the 1955 model year, Ford marketed the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car that featured outstanding performance from big-block V8s. The car is at present EU registered with duties paid, so for UK road usage it would have to be registered with the DVLA in Swansea.Spanning 50 years, the Ford Thunderbird is one of the most iconic cars in American history. The T-Bird represents an ideal opportunity for a discerning collector of American "cult cars" to acquire a first series model in good restored condition. This car is in excellent order throughout with regard to both the mechanics and the bodywork, and has been recently road tested by the vendor and a Christie's specialist. Production figures of the 1955 Thunderbird show only a meagre 16,155 cars built. As the original design without the exterior spare mounted tyre it is by many enthusiasts of the marque considered as the most desirable model. This particular example was first registered on July 1st 1955 and has several desirable options such as a porthole hardtop, white soft top, whitewall tires, tinted windows, electric windows and seats as well as a rare factory leather covered steering wheel. With European style and American comfort, convenience and go, it was no wonder the Thunderbird proved to be irresistible. It was built with a sturdy steel body, roll-up windows, either a hard top or snug fitting fold down soft top, or both and a strong Mercury V8 engine. The Thunderbird was named after the god worshipped by America's South West Indians as the bringer of rain and prosperity. The universal appeal of the styling made the Thunderbird an instant success and the 1955 model out-sold the more expensive Corvette by 24 to 1! The Thunderbird design incorporated Ford features found on other models to create a product recognition with the hope of encouraging sales of other Ford cars as well. Ford knew that the two seater V8 was going to attract a wider audience than the Corvette's racing/performance orientated market. Although the same wheelbase (102in) as its rival, the Thunderbird was designed to be more practical and luxurious than GM's Corvette. The classic Thunderbird was introduced in 1955, and was Ford's response to the Chevrolet Corvette, which appeared in 1953. 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE WITH REMOVABLE HARDTOPĮngine: V8, overhead valve, 4,785cc (321cu.in.), 198bhp at 4,400rpm Gearbox: Fordomatic three-speed automatic Suspension: front, upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs.
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