1955 Ford Thunderbird Continental

The Thunderbird was Ford's response to Chevrolet's Corvette. When the Thunderbird was introduced in 1955, it outsold the more expensive Corvette by 24 to 1 as a result of clean styling, creature comforts, and V8 refinement. The 1956 was nearly identical to the 1955 version, with the addition of Ford's Continental Kit which had become standard. This encompassed a rear mounted spare tyre and cowl vents on each side, as well as the all-important porthole windowed glass-fibre hard top - an optional extra at the time.The Thunderbird offered for sale here is in excellent condition for its years, though some light cosmetic restoration could arguably be applied to lessen the appearance of age. Structurally, the Fiesta Red coachwork with contrasting White glass-fibre hard top (with port hole windows) and brightly polished chromework are generally in excellent or good order. One or two areas where the paint has flattened or chromework weathered are disappointing, but not critical. Mechanically, the near bullet-proof 202hp V8 mated to manual transmission delivers precision drive quality, firing first time and producing the spine-tingling rumble that only Americana can...To the well-appointed interior the tasteful two-tone Red and White theme continues in spades adorned to the comfort-contoured three-person full width seating, period correct control panel and radio, as well as carpets and door-cards. This car further benefits from not only possessing the rare hard top, but also the fabric-grained vinyl soft-top which collapses discreetly behind the driving position in roadster style. Though present, this soft-top has seen better years and if you intended to risk bad weather, you might choose to replace this hood using the existing frame.This car last changed hands in 1998 for the princely sum of £33,000. Now, and for considerably less, you could be driving this car which is today offered with UK V5C old-style Registration Certificate, and will come with fresh MoT test certificate at the sale.