It also had a host of power-assist options not found on the Corvette or foreign sports cars, such as power windows and a power driver's seat. The 1955 Thunderbird had slick European long-hood/short-rear-deck clean styling. That's because Chevy got a jump on Ford by offering the first Corvette in late 1953 and archrival Ford was scrambling to make up for lost time and to take some edge off the 'Vette, which had 1954 sales of 3,640 cars. List prices go from $37,435 to $43,390.Ī Thunderbird prototype actually was displayed at the Chicago Auto Show in March 1954. Thunderbird sales have totaled about 18,000 annually - a respectable number for a rather costly two-seater. Last year, the T-Bird finished second in the two-seat market behind the BMW Z4 sports car. It beat other two-seaters, including the Corvette, Lexus SC 430, Mercedes-Benz SL and Mazda Miata. The 2002 Thunderbird was the top-selling two-seater convertible, with sales of 19,356 cars. The current Corvette is every inch a genuine sports car. It's designed to be more of a classy cruiser than a sports car, although revised steering, more power and a firmer suspension made it sportier for 2003. History repeats itself with the 2004 Thunderbird two-seater. The next two-seat T-Bird didn't arrive until the 2002 model year, and Ford hints it might keep the car in production beyond its official expiration date of 2005. The Thunderbird remained a two-seater until 1958, when a four-seat version was introduced for higher sales. General Motors made the 'Vette for car buffs, but the T-Bird was hastily created by a Ford committee for a wider audience and to help sell regular Fords. The selling dealer states that the generator, transmission mounts, and various gaskets and seals were replaced in July 2022.Īdditional underbody photographs are provided in the gallery below.The first Ford Thunderbird two-seater arrived about 50 years ago for the 1955 model year as a Chevrolet Corvette rival and is almost as iconic a car as the first Ford Mustang. The 352ci V8 is equipped with a single carburetor as well as “Powered by Ford”-logo valve covers, and it routes power to the rear wheels through a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 12k miles. Instrumentation includes a 140-mph speedometer flanked by a clock, switches, and auxiliary gauges. The three-spoke steering wheel is equipped with a horn ring and wears an aftermarket wrap. Equipment includes a center console, a MagicAire heater/defroster, power windows, and lap belts. The front bucket seats and the rear bench seat are upholstered in red and white vinyl, and matching upholstery covers the door panels. The car is equipped with power-assisted steering, and the selling dealer states that the power-assisted drum brakes were serviced with replacement shoes, cylinders, and hoses at each corner. Steel 14″ wheels wear bright covers and are wrapped in 215/75 Goodyear Polysteel Radial thin-whitewall tires. The winner has been banned from future participation on BaT and their buyer’s fee was not refunded. This was not due to any fault with the vehicle. This is a re-list after the vehicle was previously sold on BaT in January 2023 and the winning bidder failed to follow through with their commitment to purchase. The selling dealer notes areas of corrosion below the fenders and on the underside. The car was reportedly fitted with replacement weatherstripping and door seals in July 2022. Exterior features include a hood scoop, fender skirts, chrome bumpers, rear quarter-panel fins, and quadruple headlights and taillights. The car left the factory finished in Colonial White and is said to have been repainted under previous ownership. This Thunderbird is offered on dealer consignment at no reserve in Texas with a clean Colorado title. Work performed in July 2022 is said to have included replacing the generator, battery, transmission mounts, braking components, weatherstripping, and various gaskets and seals. Equipment includes a center console, a MagicAire heater, and 14″ steel wheels with bright covers as well as power steering, brakes, and windows. Power comes from a 352ci V8 paired with a Ford Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, and the car is finished in white over two-tone vinyl upholstery. This 1959 Ford Thunderbird was reportedly refurbished before the current owner’s acquisition in 2022, and it was previously listed on BaT in December 2022.
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