MAGNIFICENT: 1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ONE OF A KIND, FRAME OFF RESTORATION

1955 Ford Thunderbird Description

Hello Fellow E-bayers!Up for your consideration is this spectacular frame off, ground up restored 1955 Ford Thunderbird - this is a very special, truly unique car that I had built from the ground up - built literally "as new" by the world renown company, Prestige Thunderbird in Santa Fe Springs, California. You can search the internet for them - they have been in the business of restoring 1955 to 1957 Classic Thunderbirds - EXCLUSIVELY - for the last 40 years. They are master craftsmen, and no company on earth knows these cars better. I contacted them, and asked them to custom build me a 1955 T-Bird exactly the way I wanted it. And thats what they did - with astonishing hand built precision ...and now, due to some changes in my lifestyle, and needing to downsize, I am somewhat reluctantly offering her for sale to the right new owner - one who can appreciate the singular qualities of this truly one of a kind automobile.
First, I thought "I'll just find a 1955 Thunderbird, and then make a few modifications to make her exactly what I want"....then, after speaking with the experts at Prestige, they told me they could custom build a brand new 1955 T-Bird to my exact specifications - in other words, every nut and bolt new - with a completely re-built correct original 292 cid Y-Block V-8 - on a completely fresh (sandblasted to bare metal) 1955 body and freshly restored frame. I liked that idea a lot. So - thats how we started - first, they found a 1955 rust free California car - then sand blasted the body and frame down to bare metal, then every single aspect of the car - was built "as new" -I am not exaggerating at all - this car is literally built by hand...and then, I requested a few modifications to make this T-Bird a truly drivable car - for example, I had a 2003 Mustang 5-speed manual transmission installed in place of the original 3-speed (which makes this car so much more fun to drive than the original clunky 1955 3-speed), also replaced the 1955 "generator" with a 1957 model "alternator"...also, the carburetor is a Holley 4 barrel from the 1957 Thunderbird - so this car is the one of the quickest, best driving 1955 T-Birds you will ever find anywhere.
Here is a list of details about this particular car:
1955 Ford Thunderbird: Complete Ground Up, Frame Off Restoration.Every nut and bolt - NEW and as original. This is virtually a brand new 1955 car.
Car is an absolute gem, and is very close to mint. On a scale of 1-10, this is easily a #9 car. No bondo, straight as an arrow, never in a collision of any kind. The paint is gorgeous - truthfully, the car could use a buff to take out a few slight superficial marks. Remember, I DROVE this car - not a lot - mostly on weekends for drives to the beach, etc. but she is designed to be DRIVABLE every day if you so desire. Anyway, there a few insignificant light marks that can be easily buffed out.
Low mileage (apx. 2000 miles). Yes, that is correct actual miles - I bought her custom built, AS NEW, therefore the odometer was at "0" when I bought her. 2000 miles is all that has been driven on this car since I took possession.
Car is stock, except a few modernizations designed to make it a superb driver.
Power Front Disc Brakes: (replaces standard "drum brakes" - huge improvement in drivability.)
Modern Mustang 5 speed manual transmission from a 2003 Mustang (replaces stock 3 speed) with custom walnut shift knob. This is a huge improvement - again, this car drives beautifully - a cross between the classic feel of the original 1955, but with a few serious modernizations that make it drive like butter!
Custom camel (medium tan) all leather interior, including matching leather seats, leather door panels, and leather clad dashboard. Gorgeous!I have never seen this color combination on a 1955 Thunderbird - please see pics. The contrast between the Raven Black exterior and the tan leather interior is simply stunning!Wide white wall radial tires.
Power steering. Original 1955 steering wheel.
Front Sway bar for better cornering/ handling. You won't believe how significant this improvement is.
Upgrade to 12 Volt electrical system. ( Ford upgraded this in 1956 - the original 1955 design incorporated a 6 volt system - one of the truly inadequate aspects of this, the first year of the classic T-Bird)).
Electronic ignition for carefree starts every time.Battery cut off switch makes storing the car easy - and you'll never come out and the car is "dead" - or, if you don't plan on driving her every day - if you plan to leave her sit in your garage for a few weeks, you simply shut off the battery with a simple turn of a "knob" and - this saves your battery life - fantastic.
Freshly Re-Built Alternator (from a 1957 Thunderbird) replaces original design which incorporated a generator. Huge improvement.
Carburetor is the 1957 - Holley 4 barrel model, much improved from the primitive oil-bath style from 1955.
Electric Windshield Wipers (replaces original vacuum system).
Full Frame detail - bottom of the car is super clean, and show quality.
4 Kelsey Hayes Wire Wheels with red center caps - beautiful, distinctive touch.
Stunning Black High Luster Clear Coat Paint in correct Raven Black color.
AM-FM custom stereo, with cassette player, with 4 speakers.
High Quality Under Dash Air Conditioning.
Parade Fan (in front of radiator) for much needed extra cooling. If you know about these cars, they were obviously wonderful - but they did have a tendency to over heat during long drives - the parade fan is placed in front of the radiator, behind the "grille" - and does a fabulous job of keeping the radiator cool.
Engine Dress Up Kit, featuring all the bells and whistles - chrome components, special valve covers with T-Bird logo, etc. See Pics.
Sun Visors. Believe it or not, they were optional back in 1955.
Wind Wings on both doors. See Pics. These are small glass mini windows that can be folded outward, to cut wind/draft in the cabin down.
Seat belts. Again, optional in 1955. The belts are new - and they match the custom interior color perfectly.
Removable porthole top.
Interior Light Kit (including under dash lights).
Space Saver Spare Tire, for additional Trunk Space.
Fully Carpeted Trunk, color matches custom interior.This T-Bird is truly ONE OF A KIND. Its not like any other T-Bird for sale anywhere in the world. Its completely custom built - with a completely unique combination of stock elements and vastly improved modernizations - I know there is a new home for this truly extraordinary automobile - someone special...who will appreciate the uniques attributes of this particular car.
Wherever you are in the country - if you are sincerely interested - I'd be happy to set up a time for us to meet and you can drive the car. I promise - no disappointments. If you are a gentleman (or lady) of means, with a love of the design of these old T-Birds...and wants one specifically that is truly one of a kind - and one that has been modernized so it can be driven every day - you just may have found the car of your dreams!
Feel free to email me with questions.
Thanks for looking!
Sincerely,Rhythmagic