Early two-seater T-Birds remain a staple in American automotive history, nd no collection is complete without one of these lovely little convertibles in it. This 1955 Ford Thunderbird is a great driver with a comprehensive repaint, smooth V8, nd lots of personality.Finished in Fiesta Red, his Thunderbird is a great driver and all the wonderful details that made them a hit then are still in place. Many enthusiasts regard the '55 as the purest of the early 'Birds, ithout the add-on continental kit or tail fins that marked later models. The quality of the paint is good, ith a deep shine over straight sheetmetal, nd the results speak for themselves. It's a full color change (the car was originally Thunderbird Blue), o you know it was fully disassembled to make sure all the nooks and crannies received their dose of red paint. The doors align well, he hood opens effortlessly, nd even the trunk with its pass-through to the fuel filler door has just the right fit. There's plenty of chrome, oo, nd it shines up nicely, ncluding the rear bumper with unique bumper guard exhaust tips. The fender skirts fit well and give the car a long, ow, leek look that was a big part of its appeal, ven though skirts were actually optional on the Thunderbird. A two-tone red and white interior was the proper choice when it was repainted Fiesta Red (again, t was original Turquoise and White), nd all the soft parts have been replaced or restored. This one features a power bench seat and what might be the most beautiful door panels ever created. That strip of engine-turned aluminum that stretches across the interior is pure '50s cool, ith a touch of race car thrown in, nd it couldn't be in a more appropriate vehicle. The gauges appear original and there aren't many cooler designs than the speedometer with the plexiglass rear window to light it from within. Ford designers aimed for a sporty European feel, o you got a tachometer to the left of the steering column and it's always fun to watch. Remarkably, hen you bought a new Thunderbird in 1955, ou had a no-cost choice of either a soft top or a hard top, ut getting both cost extra, nd the original owner obviously chose the removable hardtop, hich was painted white to offer some contrast that really makes this 'Bird look sharp. And no, he 1955 Thunderbird hardtop did not have the legendary "porthole" window; that came later.For 1955, he only engine available was a 292 cubic inch Y-block V8 fed by a rudimentary ram-air system through the hood scoop. Finished in bright red engine enamel, he 'Birds got a lot of chrome and aluminum dress-up components, ost notably those beautiful finned valve covers. It's not detailed for show any longer, ut it's neatly maintained and it runs superbly, hich makes this Thunderbird a joy to drive. Underneath, ou'll find a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission as a willing travel partner, nd a pleasant-sounding dual exhaust system with just a hint of V8 burble. Handsome 15-inch wheels with full wheel covers are a conservative choice and wear 205/75/15 Goodyear whitewall radials.This Thunderbird delivers on its promise of performance and sophistication, ven today. Call now!