1955 T-BIRD, 292CI, 3-SPD W/OD, SPORTY CRUISER, WELL MAINTAINED, GOOD DRIVER!

Ford Thunderbird 1955 Description

First Year Thunderbird

Sporty 2-Seat Cruiser

Ready to Drive Away

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:

VEHICLE HISTORY: We purchased this pretty red T-Bird for a client 15 years ago. After inspecting numerous cars, e helped him purchase this one as a present for his wife. It was a very solid car with a body-on restoration completed in the mid 1990s. (During the restoration the exterior was repainted in the original Torch Red color, ew upholstery was installed, ew bumpers were installed, nd the engine was rebuilt). Two years later the wife thought it was too flashy and he asked me to sell it for him.

Just so happens another client was in the market for a sporty cruiser and he bought this one. He has driven it about 5,000 miles in the last 13 years and he has done much keep this T-Bird running, eliable, nd ready to cruise:

He dressed it up with a set of chrome wire wheels and a custom tonneau cover. He made it ride and handle better with new control arm bushings, way bar bushings, hocks all around, nd an alignment. He made it stop better with a complete brake job including a new master cylinder. He made it cool better with a re-cored radiator and a new water pump & fan assembly. And… he changed the oil and filter on a regular basis.

He hasn’t used it much lately, o has decided to sell. It is time to let someone else enjoy this well maintained, ttractive, nd sporty, irst year Thunderbird.

MARQUE HISTORY: Fords for 1955 were totally redesigned inside and out. The most exciting news was the introduction of the two-passenger Thunderbird. The Thunderbird was equipped with the new Ford Y-Block OHV V8 engine that was boosted to higher horsepower with the addition of a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. The ground clearance of only 5.5 inches gave it a sporty appearance. With a factory price of $2,944 it was the most expensive Ford available. These are rare cars as only 16,000 Thunderbirds were produced out of Ford’s 1955 total passenger car production of 1.4 million.

This very early example (October 1954 build date) is equipped with the Fairlane headlamp door chrome eyebrows.

INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE: Custom Tonneau Cover, pare Tire, cissor Jack, ug Wrench, urchase/Repair/Maintenance Documents.

SPECIFICATIONS: 292CI, olley 4-BBL Carburetor, ual Exhaust, 98HP, ast Iron Block, HV, .75” Bore X 3.30” Stroke, -Main Bearings, .5:1 Compression, -Speed Manual W/Overdrive, 02” Wheelbase, 75” O/A Length, 0” O/A Width, 980 Pound Curb Weight, V Electric System (now 12V).

FEATURES: Carpeting, rap-Around Dash, achometer, djustable Steering Column, ide Angle Windshield, hrome Windshield Surround, tainless Window Trim, afety Glass Side Windows, wo-Tone Interior, ontoured Bench Seat/Back, indshield Washers (inop), ront Hinged Hood, unctional Hood Scoop, nterior Courtesy Light, ual Horns, ecessed Door Handles, igarette Lighter, utside Rearview Mirror, urn Signals, lectric Clock (works!), inyl Covered Dash.

OPTIONS: Overdrive Transmission, eater, ower Seat, hite Sidewall Tires, onvertible Top, ear Fender Shields (Skirts), ravel Shields, ftermarket Chrome Wire Wheels, ftermarket Radio (inop).

BY THE NUMBERS:

VIN (P5FH100614) DECODED:

P = 292 CI, 98 HP, 8

5 = 1955 Model Year

F = Dearborn Assy Plant

H = Thunderbird

100614 = 613th Ford Built in 1954

DATA PLATE DECODED:

Body 40A = 2-Door, -Passenger Convertible

Color R = Torch Red

Trim B = Red and White

PRODUCTION CODE (25KS1686) DECODED:

25 = 25th Day of the Month

K = October 1954

S1 = Unknown for Early Production Cars

686 = 686th Car Scheduled

ENGINE BLOCK CASTING:

ECK 6015 = 292CI V8 Cleveland Foundry (1955 – 1956)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Call Jeff at 419-344-0319 (Mobile) or 419-353-8338 (Office) or email me jeffsnook01@gmail.com for more information or if you have any questions.

VEHICLE CONDITION:

Along with a complete detailing, e do a mechanical and cosmetic inspection to each vehicle before listing it for sale. This report is included below will provide a reasonable description of the vehicle condition. Older vehicles are subject to normal wear and tear and we have tried to indicate the overall condition of the vehicle to the best of our ability. But, e can not always find everything that is not perfect with a vehicle, o independent inspections are welcome and encouraged. We drive each vehicle approximately 20 miles, ut this is no indication of its long term road-worthiness. The only guarantee with an older vehicle is that someplace, ometime, omething will need repaired!

INSPECTION REPORT:

Year

1955

Make

Ford

Model

Thunderbird

Ext. Color

Torch Red

Int. Color

Red & White

VIN

P5FH100614

Tire Info

Dayton P205/75R15 WWW

Odometer

26,662

Actual

N

KEY: E = Excellent G = Good F = Fair P = Poor

INTERIOR

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Upholstery

X

Nice two-tone original style upholstery. Light tear on driver seat back panel.

Carpets

X

X

Good, ut sun-faded on top of transmission tunnel.

Door Panels

X

Kick Panels

X

Dash

X

X

Good original w/some bubbling under the dash vinyl.

Lights

X

All lights working.

Instruments

X

All instruments work except the odometer. Speedometer is OK. Even the clock works.

Horn

X

Seals

X

X

All door, window, runk, nd windshield rubber seals original to the car.

EXTERIOR

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Paint

X

X

Nice and shiny from 10’ but close examination shows some touchups and areas of rough paint. See note below **

Body Panels

X

Panels are straight. Door fits are good. There is a small “outie” dent in the hood and some light filler in lower rear quarters.

Bumpers

X

Newer bumpers are nice and shiny with no dents. Some light scratches visible.

Trim

X

Mostly original and good, ut showing some age.

Convertible Top

X

X

Vinyl top has some tears and one larger hole. These are top-down cars and there is a custom full tonneau if needed.

Floors

X

Solid.

Sills

X

Solid.

Tires

X

X

New Diamond Back WWW radials in 2000. Less than 5,000 miles on them, ut 15 years old.

Wheels

X

15” Chrome wire wheels new in 2002.

Glass

X

Small stone chip in windshield in front of driver.

** Paint Note

The rough paint areas were evident when first purchased 15 years ago. Likely caused by poor prep work during the repaint. The paint is sound, here is no lifting or peeling, t just feels and appears rough in places

UNDERHOOD

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Fluids

X

All fluids up to spec.

Belts

X

Hoses/Lines

X

Cooling System

X

Safe to -34 degrees.

Charging System

X

Converted to 12V.

Appearance

X

Exhaust manifolds have surface rust. Typical.

MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Engine

X

X

The 292CI V8 runs strong and starts easily. Rebuilt in the 1990s.

Transmission

X

Shifts well, O.D. works properly.

Clutch

X

Electrical

X

Brakes

X

Non-power brakes.

Steering

X

Non-power steering.

Wipers

X

Vacuum operated – OK. Washers inop.

Lights

X

All working.

UNDER

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Leaks

X

X

Small oil leak from rear main seal. Not unusual.

Rust

X

Solid underneath with some surface rust only.

Exhaust

X

Dual “Glass Pack” mufflers sound great.

MISC.

E

G

F

P

Comments:

Radio

X

Aftermarket “Thunderbird” AM/FM/Cassette radio not currently working.

Fender Skirt Gaskets

X

X

Driver side is deteriorated. Passenger side is OK.

Shift Boot

X

X

Partially torn at bottom.

TERMS OF SALE:

An immediate PayPal $500 deposit is required upon purchase. The balance of a 25% deposit is required within 3 days from end of auction and full payment to be made within 10 from end of auction. Payment to be made by cash in person, r bank to bank wire transfer only. Personal, ertified or bank checks are not accepted for payment. Overseas shipments and/or finance documentation will require an additional $100 fee to cover the time and costs associated with either of these items.

You are responsible for shipping. Buyer to arrange, ay for, nd have vehicle transported within 30 days from end of auction. For an estimate of shipping costs, e suggest using eBay’s request for a shipping quote near the top of the listing. You can also try this site to get additional quotes: http://gigamoves.com/ Just plug in our zip code (43402), our destination zip code, nd some additional info for some online quotes. Storage is available after the 30 days for $110/month.

Please be aware you are buying this car “AS IS – NO WARRANTY”. Vehicle is being advertised locally and the auction may end early if sold.