Classic Early Bird with PS PB Power Seat 292Y Block V8 12volt Kelsey Hayes Wires

1955 Ford Thunderbird Description

Here’s a little story about a 1955 Thunderbird.

Call Brandon Baxter 210 454-2486 / bbaxter@jordanford.com

My dad was a classic car man when some of the most sought after Muscle Cars today, eren’t even classics yet and could be bought for a couple of thousand bucks.

The reason I start there is because back in the mid to late 70’s, clean well sorted 55 – 57 T Bird was a desirable and sought after car back then. I know because I remember visiting an owner of one in Los Gatos California that my father was trying to buy.

I was so impressed with this little car that I’d never seen before, nd struck by how beautiful the lines were and how freakin cool it looked. This is from a kid who spent many a year polishing fenders on the likes of Rolls Royce, entley, errari and a number of other exotic and expensive coaches.

This was also a time before the internet, nd cars were sold over phone calls, nd letters with photos and hand written descriptions. Down to the nitty gritty and rusted bolts. Awesome stuff really! Especially if you were in my position and saw cars come and go from all over the Country and even good ole England. Yep… that was the life.

What the heck does this all have to do with this Bird you ask? Everything!

Call Brandon Baxter 210 454-2486 / bbaxter@jordanford.com

Cars to some are just transportation. But to me… some are the stuff of magic, emories and indescribable beauty and excitement! And… if you are lucky enough you sometimes get a really cool story that comes with the car. If the owners were good stewards, nd took care to preserve the history as well as the car, hen it just makes it all that more special.

The story obviously begins in 1955, nd up to 2001, as a sheltered life in the hands of the two previous owners as passed down. Found in 2001 by the previous owner, e was told by that owner of several years (6 plus) that he would be the third. It was a melancholy story where in the gentleman had regrettably never been able to finish his plans of restoring the car for his wife who had been the primary driver of the car until a little fender bender. Here is where the story begins to be well documented and gets really clear!

The previous owner, ey and I have become sort of buddies, nd he’s delighted with the 1929 Ford Coupe he bought from me whilst trading his Bird to me.

In return I received A GORGEOUS T Bird with just the right patina, nd all the paperwork for this car including rcpts., pplicable literature, riginal owner’s manual, tc. He even wrote out the story of how he came to own the car, nd… provided the receipts and records from when he bought the car in 2001.

He did a very nice restoration on the car producing what is to this day an “Excellent Driving” car!

Converted to twelve volts, s equipped with power seat, ower steering, ower brakes, m/fm radio (upgrade), nd tachometer. Almost everything is in great working order except for clock and heater switch that needs to be replaced with a 12V unit.

Rey did everything possible to retain the originality of the car, nd only had to change the ‘Tea Pot’ carb to a more modern Edlebrock carburetor. He said that no matter how hard he tried, e could just not get that original carburetor to run properly, nd that it was truly only as useful as its name… “a kettle deserving of a hot stove”. And the old radiator had just retired, o we put in a nice high flow aluminum radiator to keep it cool down here in Texas… or anywhere else it’s nice and toasty. Like I said it drives beautifully and will drive anywhere!

The trim is bright and in very very good condition. Outstanding actually for being original! Chrome is also very good on the car, ut there is some pitting developing on the side louvers and logo pieces, s well as on the quarter window pieces. The top window cross pillar also does have scratches in the chrome from the top points around the holes. But there are brand new top mounts around the base behind the seat, nd they are very clean and scratch free. The only other new chrome on the car is the rear taillight visors, nd the risers on the front and rear bumpers. Note how cleanly the tailpipes run through those risers on the rear and look just so fine. What a beautiful little touch the designers had in that!

The car is riding on nearly brand new Good Year Super Cushion DELUXE tires, nd they are biased ply tires, ot radial. Again, rives absolutely perfectly, nd the Kelsey Hayes wire wheels are the real deal with nice Thunderbird center caps as a finishing touch… really set the car off, nd apart from others!

Interior is new retaining the original dash, auges etc. Rey did ad an option that was not available until 1956, nd that is the sun visors. Nice touch!

Without over stating the car, t is very easily an 8.5 – 9.0 on a scale of 10. Factoring the time of restoration, resent cosmetic condition, riginality of car and components, unctionality… and most of all drivability For “Hagerty” fans (my classic is insured with), his car would fall half way between a 2 and a 3 on their valuation grade.

Now I know there is going to be a barrage from the T-Bird police, nd that’s quite alright. But to the arm chair judges out there hiding behind the WWW… no judges input will be accepted other than in person!

I am delighted to discuss, nswer questions, nd assist the real buyers in any way possible so that those of us who actually buy and sell cars to enjoy, an get on with the business of doing just that.

You will be very comfortable in any open class, r even older restored or driver category at car shows, xpecting to do very well with this car as it sits. This is truly an opportunity to own a well sorted, nd beautiful looking Bird, ithout having to drop a ton of money into it before getting a return.

The car is not perfect, nd considering the paint is 15 plus years now, ooks very good. There is just the right amount of patina on the car, nd now considered a value in of itself.

If you can drive a Classic car that has the quality to do well in shows as it is, ou are way ahead as the restoration costs are now astronomical, nd the value of the car continues to increase without having to spend that kind of money. Great opportunity to own a high quality Bird ready to drive anywhere!

Call Brandon Baxter 210 454-2486 / bbaxter@jordanford.com

My name is Brandon Baxter, nd I grew up in Southern California with car nuts for parents.

Although I have not spent my entire career in the car business, have always loved cars, otorcycles, nd motorsports.

One of the greatest aspects of my career here with Jordan Motorcars, nd working for Ford, s being a part of one of the most innovative and successful car companies in the world, nd playing with a wonderful variety of cars. Classics, ports Cars, erformance, uxury... you name it.

I love to share my passion, nd have a great deal of integrity about it all.

Call me with any questions, here are no stupid ones, nd I will provide you with honest and prompt answers. Let me know how I can help you!

Brandon 210 454-2486 / bbaxter@jordanford.com