Ford’s first ‘Personal Car’ the Thunderbird was a tremendous success, for good reasons.

The original 1955 2-seater sportscar was upgraded annually with the 1957 car gaining fins to the longer rear end, accentuating the rakish styling of the Thunderbird.

This car has the optional removable hardtop (with portholes made famous with this model) as well as the soft top roof.

Imported from California, it has optional, larger 312 cu-in engine with 245bhp and automatic transmission. Imported in 2011 the car was purchased by the present owner in 2014.

The car’s history file has some US documents, but the bulk of the paperwork shows work done since the car was imported. Included is the Australian Import Approval. There’s also a workshop manual with the car.

This car has just been recommissioned by a well-respected specialist workshop with everything checked over and a service in readiness for sale. He remarks that it’s a good, honest example, that hides no sins.

Overall the car presents well. It’s straight and in a lovely colour scheme, with Starmist Blue going well with the white hardtop.

The hardtop is excellent and the soft-top appears to have been recently replaced. It’s a good quality fabric, not a vinyl roof, in dark blue.

Inside, the car is excellent too. The cream interior colour suits the car very well and ensures there’s no feeling of claustrophobia, even with the hardtop in place.

The odometer shows 76,600 miles, which when looking over the car’s condition, seems likely to be correct. In 1981 the odometer showed 67,000 miles.

With power steering and electric windows there’s a touch of luxury to the T’bird. The engine runs very smoothly and sounds lovely. An early Thunderbird is not the chore to drive that many 70 year old cars are.

This is certainly a very attractive classic, in good, usable condition which will always attract positive attention. Imagine cruising along the beachfront boulevard in this car!

Please request an email with full details and more photos from paul@classicrally.com.au

Paul Blank Classic Car Broker MD28143 http://www.paulblank.com.au 1EMV312

Whilst every effort to ensure accuracy is made when preparing the description of a car, much of the information is provided by the owner and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and complete. Some errors and omissions occur occasionally and we cannot be held liable for any loss or damage arising from incorrect or incomplete information or any reliance which might be placed on information provided. Any potential purchaser is advised to make his or her own independent investigations or inspections to determine title and whether a vehicle is suitable for purchase.