Stored 44 Years: 1955 Ford Thunderbird
Well, an Amos Minter restored 1955 Thunderbird this isn’t. But it has a barn find genuineness about it that makes it an attractive discovery, especially when documented via its 1972 California black plates. Questions will abound around this T-Bird’s original owner, its whereabouts all these years, what work has and has not been performed; the usual inquiries. There’s not a lot of detail with the listing but let’s look this first year Thunderbird over and see what we can learn. It is located in Santa Fe Springs, California, and is available here on craigslist for $12,500. Thanks to MattR for this tip!
Every time I encounter a ’55-’57 “Baby Bird”, I think of the Fabulous Thunderbird’s 1982 release “T-Bird Rhythm” and the cover’s ’57 T-Bird replete with a “Bird’s Nest” rumble seat. I keep looking for one of those but have never encountered an actual example with this rare, dealer-installed option. With or without this unusual feature, the Baby-Bird always captures one’s imagination; it was sorta similar to the competing Chevrolet Corvette but uniquely its own car at the same time. Ford’s instincts around the first-gen ‘Bird were ultimately spot-on as they reaped much better sales success with 1958’s back-seat equipped Square-Bird (’58-’60).
Any way you cut it, this Thunderbird is rough. It’s hardly a wreck and the seller claims it to have a good, solid body, something expected of a California car, for the most part anyway. The trunk lid does have some rust-through, however, while the rest of the body is in reasonably good shape. The seller states that this Ford was originally finished off in Goldenrod Yellow, not that it matters now. The existing finish is a cross between worn satin black and primer – what was someone thinking? The trim is mostly in place, but it, and the chrome, are faded and dull. While the standard removable hardtop is in place, there is no word regarding the existence of the usually found, optional folding canvas lid. The fender skirts are MIA too.
There are no images of the engine, most unfortunate. Research indicates that it should be a 198 gross HP, 292 CI “Y- Block” V8. There is no reference to the engine’s operability though the seller says that it has a dress-up kit and an enhanced driving experience courtesy of power steering and brakes. A “Fordomatic” automatic transmission is in place as opposed to the standard three-speed manual with overdrive.
The interior is a mess! The missing carpet does reveal floors that appear to be solid, though there is at least a coating of surface rust in the driver’s footwell. The dash and instrument panel look weather-exposed and the rest of the interior will need a complete make-over. The seat upholstery, which still shows traces of its Goldenrod Yellow matching panels, is shot. The driver’s side door card has been removed and the remaining passenger panel is dilapidated. The seller claims to have the radio but it is not installed – it may be sitting on the floor in the passenger footwell, it’s hard to tell what that gray box actually is. The good news? What’s left of that seat is power-assisted…
The seller states that this T-Bird needs a complete restoration, hard to disagree with that assessment. It does actually seem pretty well together, with minimal metalwork needed, but a thorough inspection should be conducted by a prospective buyer. The price is notable for a car that may or may not run and probably hides other concerns. The debate will rage on, does it make sense to purchase a car in the condition of this ’55 Thunderbird, and take it on as a project, or just buy the best example that you can afford? What’s your suggestion?
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Comments
Lots of unanswered questions-great that it has the original wheels, but what about the (expensive) original hubcaps? Is this the original radio in the passenger footwell? Like you said, Jim, the framework is there for the convertible top-but will the seller (who obviously is into gathering early birds) supply a cloth top? Is this the original engine? Why does the drivers door interior look like it was a replacement door? What’s the underside look like? And on..
For the restorers, there are a lot of questions. For the guy or girl wanting an early bird, check their competitors prices, verify their veracity and check your bankroll. It could be a fun project!
A quick look on eBay shows what appear to be much nicer cars selling for less. Decent looking restored cars are selling for less than $40,000. Prices like that suggest this car is significantly overpriced.
Steve R
These coveted 2 seaters are a lucky find, in that most, if not all the items you need are reproduced today. Me, I’d definitely go with the Goldenrod Yellow again, with coordinating ylw./black interior. I’d bet a set of skirts could be found if you look hard enough. And I would go with the standard hubcaps with the wire wheel covers that go over them! A nice factory option! As with any `55 Bird, I would be interested in checking the VIN to see how early in production this car was built.
Every time I see a 55-57 T-bird I wonder why they turned into what they became!! Chevrolet kept the corvette a 2 seater sports car and Ford went the other way turning them into a 4 seater luxury passenger car!! Wouldn’t it have been nice to have two of the big 3 producing two seater sports cars for 50 plus years competing against each other???? Imagine what that would have been like!!!
You could throw 20K at this to make it a nice driver or you could buy a driver for 20K
Rumble Seat:
https://www.volocars.com/vehicles/9286/1957-ford-thunderbird
My favorite early T-bird color combo: Yellow with a black and yellow interior. Sensational!
California stopped black plates in 1969… My 1970 Porsche has its original yellow on blue plates.
@ Eric M. This was talked about on this site a while back. Has I recall it was not a “hard date” change over. Depending on the plate type and DMV field office, the black n gold plates where issued until stock on hand was used up.
WAY over priced , 2,000 to 3,000 would be more like it .
Emblem on the front is from a 56. Every thing else looks to be 55.
you are rt emblem is from a 56 55 had cross flags cant tell if front fenders has air vents if so it would be a 56 front clip
I’m with roger, it’s about a $3000.00 car, it’s also a late ’55 reading the license plate if that’s a first plate, it has power windows which is unusual and it needs everything. I love the model but all above are correct when they say one can find nice ones without all the potential grief (and maybe a 12 volt system). I’ll pass.
@ Maestr1, The plates on the vehicle are the “black plates” issued in 1963. In 1963 Calif replaced all the old yellow plates that ran from 56-62. My family’s 64 Buick had an ESQ***, later a 69 Nova with XGE***. The plate on this unit is almost at the end of the line for the black plates. FYI “real” black plates have a 63 stamped to the metal of the plate
Black plates don’t mean it was always a California car. Servicemen often bought cars where they were stationed and put plates on from their home state.
The seller should have put this up for sale 10 to 15 years ago. They would have gotten more then they will today. There are too many nice drivers out there for $20K sometimes it is all about timing..
Just curious. What is a “55-57” Baby Bird mentioned in description. Was there also a Papa Bird and Mama Bird?
No ; compared to the 58s it was a much smaller car .
OMG…. so overpriced😢
Such a pretty car.
I bought a Very early 1955 third for $700 around 3 years ago. Not as nice as this one. Lots of rust but I love a challenge. No roofs but mostly complete. Can’t believe sometimes what you can find out there when you are not looking. My car was not a barn find, it was dirty yard find. You’d be surprised what’s out there. You just have to have a open mind