When Ford’s Thunderbird debuted at Detroit in February 1954, this stylish, sporty and well-equipped two-seater created an all-new “personal car” market, one that continues strongly today. While somewhat similar to Chevrolet’s Corvette, the Thunderbird offered a more sophisticated and powerful, steel- bodied alternative to Chevrolet’s fiberglass-bodied competitor. Low, sleek and sporty, the T-Bird included a powerful V-8 engine, available automatic transmission, a removable hardtop and wide array of standard and optional features. Confirming the T-Bird’s successful formula, 16,155 were sold for 1955 versus just 700 Corvettes. Mildly updated for 1956 and further refined for 1957, the Thunderbird saw rising sales to 21,380 cars for 1957, the last model year for the two-seat Thunderbird until 2002. The original two-seat 1955-57 “Little Birds” stand as automotive and cultural icons, celebrated in 2005 as part of a popular USPS commemorative stamp issue. These first-generation Thunderbirds are great weekend show and touring cars with plenty of comfort and cruising performance, never failing to draw scores of admirers anywhere they appear. As Ford Motor Company’s racing program was gaining momentum in 1957, shortly before the self-enforced AMA (American Manufacturers’ Association), the McCulloch-supercharged F-Code 312 CI Thunderbird V-8 engine was available, delivering a factory-rated 300 HP. According to the F-Bird Registry, this Thunderbird is one of just 196 examples produced. Benefiting handsomely from a comprehensive restoration completed by Hill’s Classic Car in Racine, Ohio, this F-Bird features the supercharged 312/300 HP V-8 engine featuring a cast-iron block, 8.5:1 compression and 4-barrel carburetor, paired with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Finished in Colonial White with a porthole removable auxiliary hardtop over a two-tone Raven Black and Colonial White pleated vinyl interior, the Thunderbird is very well equipped with Master Guide power steering and Swift Sure power brakes, a chrome driver’s side mirror, Dial-O-Matic power seat, power windows, a Town and Country AM radio and rear fender skirts. Chrome wire wheels with spinner hubcaps and wide whitewall tires complete this rare and collectible first-generation Thunderbird, which is accompanied by a copy of the original invoice.
