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Description

Transmission: 3 gears, Manual gearbox
Model year: 2026
Empty weight: 1.604 kg
Emission class: Euro 0
Registration number: AM-13-85
Manufacturer: Carrosso Classic & Sportscars Eekstraat 2 8375HN OLDEMARKT, NL 0625351515 http://www.carrosso.com sales@carrosso.com

Ford Thunderbird 1955

- Coveted manual 3-speed gearbox with overdrive
- Original colour scheme in turquoise
- Very original condition
- Extensive American documentation available
- Well-known model thanks to appearances in several films and series, including Top Gear
- Hardtop

HISTORY/DOCUMENTATION
An iconic car: the first-generation Ford Thunderbird, produced from 1955 to 1957. This example was produced on 21 March 1955 and bears the body number P5FH197955, where the P stands for the engine code (312 4V V8), the 5 for the year of manufacture 1955, the F for the production location (Dearborn, Michigan) and the H for the model (Thunderbird). The other codes also correspond to the model, namely: 40A (Roadster), T (Thunderbird blue). What makes this model special is that it was originally equipped with a manual 3-speed gearbox with overdrive, which is rare and highly sought after! Another special feature is that the car comes with extensive documentation, so its history is well known. There is even an old photo from the United States of this car, with the registration number “USU 501”. A beautiful photo showing two women leaning over the car: quintessentially American. In the early 1970s, although the car was still in excellent condition, the then owner completely stripped it down and restored it to concours condition, reusing as many original parts as possible. The car was then used extensively as a show model at car events, where it was praised for its excellent condition. Documentation of this is available. In 1990, the “T-Bird” was shipped to the United Kingdom, where its originality and condition attracted a lot of media attention. The car appeared in films and series such as Boon, Tomorrow's World, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Top Gear (1991). In addition, it was used by K-Tell Records for promotional purposes and appeared on the cover of a parts catalogue. This parts catalogue is included with the car! Many other documents, such as maintenance invoices and export documentation, are also included with the car. In 2006, the car was imported to the Netherlands, where it has had only two owners. This is a unique opportunity to become the owner of a particularly beautiful and coveted Thunderbird with a wonderful history!

EXTERIOR
The original colour is the coveted turquoise and it was delivered with a hardtop in the same colour. This contrasts beautifully with the striking white interior and white soft top. This soft top is originally electrically operated, but this system has been disconnected so that the roof can be easily opened manually. The restoration was carried out more than 50 years ago, so the car is no longer in concours condition, but it is in good condition with beautiful paintwork and fresh rubbers and lighting. The design of the car is iconic, take a look at the exhausts that are incorporated into the rear bumper, for example. The car is in a very original condition.

INTERIOR
An extravagantly luxurious interior, unique and progressive for the 1950s. Consider, for example, an original 4-way electrically adjustable bench, electrically operated windows and power steering. The leather interior is finished in a striking turquoise and white colour combination. The interior also features a horizontal speedometer, a clock, a rev counter, heating and a radio. Needless to say, the comfortable bench seat is a delight to sit in. The interior is in very original condition.

TECHNICAL
Although the Thunderbird shared some design features with other Fords of the time, such as single round headlights and taillights and modest tail fins, it had a sleeker shape and featured a bonnet with air intake and a speedometer up to 240 km/h, which was not available on other Fords. It used mechanical parts from Ford's mass-production models. The Thunderbird's 2591 mm wheelbase frame was a shortened version also used in other Ford models, and the standard 4.8-litre Y-block V8 engine came from Ford's Mercury division. Gear changes are made via the manual 3-speed gearbox with overdrive. This overdrive is very rare and highly sought after. The car starts, drives and shifts gears properly.

GENERAL
The Thunderbird, designed to challenge Chevrolet's Corvette, was one of the first Fords to feature the new overhead valve V8 engine. The Thunderbird was introduced as a two-seater “personal car” and was aimed at image-conscious younger customers. In addition, it was not a pure sports car, but was also focused on comfort. Thanks to its superior V8 engine and greater refinement, it easily beat the Corvette in the sales war. Despite this success, the original concept was quickly abandoned and a larger – and slower – four-seater version was introduced in 1958, turning the early two-seaters into collector's items almost overnight. The first generation Thunderbird was built from 1955 to 1958. The Thunderbird sold exceptionally well in its first year, outselling the Corvette by more than 23 to 1 in 1955, with 16,155 Thunderbirds sold compared to 700 Corvettes. No fewer than 11 generations of the Thunderbird were released over the years, until 2005.

Condition & Registration

Historical license plate
Registered

Ready to drive
Mille Miglia eligible

Inspection Report

Not available

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Technical Details

Vehicle data

Make: Ford
Model name: Thunderbird
Manufacturer code: Serie 1
First registration date: 02/1955
Year of manufacture: 1955
Mileage (read): 9,206 mi
Chassis number: Not provided
Engine number: Not provided
Gearbox number: Not provided
Matching numbers: Not provided
Number of owners: 4

Technical details

Body style: Convertible
Power (kW/hp): 144/196
Cubic capacity (cm³): 4778
Cylinders: 8
Doors: 2
Steering: Left (LHD)
Gearbox: Manual
Gears: 3
Transmission: Rear
Front brakes: Drum
Rear brakes: Drum
Fuel type: Petrol

Individual Configuration

Exterior color: Green
Manufacturer color name: -
Folding roof: Yes

Interior color: White
Interior material: Leather

Optional equipment

Faltdach
Schiebedach
Elektr. Fensterheber

Servolenkung
oldtimerLicensePlate

1955 | Ford Thunderbird