1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts: Resources

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1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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1955 Ford Thunderbird

1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1955 Ford Thunderbird

Ford targeted the 1955 two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, personal luxury car with sporting capabilities, not as the then current thinking of a European sports car with minimal amenities. This was unlike Chevrolet, who wholeheartedly embraced that culture with the first Corvette. See:

As such, the Thunderbird not only came as a true convertible with roll up windows, power steering, and three different transmission options making it possible to turn your Thunderbird into either a luxury cruiser or a very sporty 2-seater. The result was that Ford is credited in developing a new market segment, the personal luxury car.

The result came from Ford developing, in 1952, a smaller two-seater sports roadster, named the Vega, at the behest of Henry Ford II. The completed one-off generated some interest at the time, but had meager power, European looks, and a correspondingly high cost, so it never proceeded to production. Shortly after, and in great secrecy, the design of the Thunderbird started in earnest.  The Thunderbird was similar in concept but was more American in style, more luxurious, and less sport-oriented. Ford read the market well, whereas Chevrolet did not.

The name was the result of a myriad of proposals, but a Ford stylist who had lived in the southwest submitted the Thunderbird name – a reference to the Thunderbird, a supernatural bird of great power and strength of the indigenous people.

The Ford Thunderbird was introduced in February 1953, not in response to Chevrolet’s new sports car, the Corvette, which was publicly unveiled in prototype form just a month before It was Ford’s own project, like GM, reacting to the increases affluence of the public and a greater emphasis on “free time” motoring. The Thunderbird went from idea to prototype in about a year, being unveiled to the public at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954.

Production of the Thunderbird began on September 9 of 1954, with the car available as a 1955 model on October 22, 1954. Though sharing some design characteristics with other Fords of the time such as single circular headlamps and tail lamps, and modest tail fins, the Thunderbird was sleeker in shape and featured performance cues such as a working hood scoop and a 150 MPH speedometer.

Though appearing unique, it was still Ford-like in looks so as to be recognized by the public, unlike Corvette which had no relationship to the then available 1953-54 Chevrolet. It used mechanical components from standard Ford models. The Thunderbird’s 102.0 inch wheelbase frame was a modified and shortened version used in other Fords however the engine was moved back 10.0 inches for better weight distribution. The standard 292 CID Y-block V8 was from Ford’s Mercury division was to be used.

Though inspired by and positioned directly against the Corvette, Ford advertised the Thunderbird at launch as a “personal car of distinction” and put a greater emphasis on the car’s comfort and convenience features rather than its inherent sportiness. See the 1955 Thunderbird Brochure.

The Thunderbird was a huge success, selling exceptionally well – outselling the Corvette by more than 23-to-one in 1955 with 16,155 Thunderbirds sold against 700 Corvettes.

1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrains

• Three Speed Automatic Transmission Ratios
  • All: 1st – 2.40:1, 2nd – 1.47:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.00:1, Shifter on floor. (2nd obtainable only by WOT)
• Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
  • 1st – 2.32:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.82:1, Shifter on floor.
• Three Speed Overdrive Manual Transmission Ratios
  • 1st – 2.32:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Overdrive – 0.70:1 Reverse – 2.82:1, Shifter on floor.
• Rear Gear Standard Ratios
  • 3-Speed SMT – 3.73:1, Optional 3.92:1.
  • 3-Speed SMT with Overdrive – 3.92:1, Optional 3.73:1.
  • 3-speed AMT – 3.31:1, Optional 3.73:1.
• Engine 
  • 292 CID V-8 was standard. 

1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrain Options

• Transmissions
  • Three speed manual was standard equipment.
  • Three-speed with automatic overdrive was optional. Approximate drive ratio: 0.70:1. Manual control below instrument panel. ($110)
  • Ford-o-Matic automatic transmission was optional.
• Engines
  • AMT transmission 292 CID  198 HP V-8 (8.5:1 compression ratio)
  • SMT transmission 292 CID  193 HP V-8 (8.1:1 compression ratio)

1955 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Significant Options

• • Back-Up Lights ($8.50) .
  • Convertible Fabric Top ($290 with Fiberglass- Top).
  • Convertible Fabric Top ($75 without Fiberglass- Top).
  • Engine Dress-Up Kit ($25).
  • Ford-O-Matic Drive ($178.20).
  • Full Wheel Covers ($12.75).
  • Full-Flow Oil Filter ($9.15).
  • Heater ($71.43).
  • Oil Bath Air Cleaner.
  • Outside Rear View Mirror ($5).
  • Overdrive ($109.70).
  • Power Brakes ($40).
  • Power Seat, 4-Way ($64.50).
  • Power Steering ($91.40).
  • Power-Lift Windows ($70).
  • Radio ($99.50).
  • Rear Fender Shields ($26.60).
  • Special Fuel and Vacuum Pump Unit ($11.70).
  • Tinted Safety Glass ($23.13).
  • White Sidewall Tires ($30).
  • Windshield Washers ($10).