1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD 78,351 Original Miles!

Description

I am selling my 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible. I have only owned this car for 2 years. Most of the description below is from the previous owner whom I bought it from in June of 2014. I have updated the information so it is current. He owned the car for 31 years. I just don’t have time to drive and enjoy the car like I thought I would. Although when I do drive it I get thumbs up from just about everyone over 40.

The car is in excellent shape and has no rust anywhere on the body or under the frame it has the original 292 engine and transmission (3 speed manual overdrive) there are 78351 actual miles on the car I am the fourth owner and the car has been garage the last 33 years. Prior to my purchase the car was purchased in March 1970 the car at approximately 50,000 miles on it then. It is a California car sold originally by a dealer in Los Angeles. The car has never been any further than Oakland California the engine is in excellent running condition the transmission shifts just perfectly and all the rubber bushings in the front suspension were replaced approximately 6 years ago there are four new tires on the car purchased about 5 years ago and has not been driven more than 300 miles since. The paint is in very good condition as well as the interior. This is not a museum show car but it is a very clean car and in exceedingly good condition both mechanically and in appearance. The car as newer aftermarket convertible top, I do not have the hardtop. All the chrome parts on the outside are new or have been re-chromed. It has an after-market radio in place of the original which I never had. The wheels have the original small hubcaps which include the imitation spoke wheel covers. The fender skirts are in good condition and come with the car. All the gauges are in good working condition there is no power steering, power brakes or power windows on this car there's only a power seat. The switch up under the dash is a power antenna for the radio. This car is an original not a replica the yellow color is not the original color (it was red) and previous owner had the custom interior done in the brown and tan colors. The Brown is a heavy-duty vinyl and the inserts are fabric.

Here are some additional notes from the previous owner of 31 years:

Engine:

When the original work was done on the car (approx. 60,000 miles) the heads were removed, cylinders were honed and .010 o/s rings installed. The same thing for the rod and main bearings. A valve job was done at the same time. It was a minor overhaul. The engine was in very good condition and didn’t need a lot of work. However sense it was disassembled I had this work done. Engine is in excellent condition.

Transmission:

The cover was removed and it was suggested no work be done because the appearance of the gears was that they were in excellent condition. A new clutch and clutch release bearing were also installed at that time.

Exhaust:

The stock exhaust pipes are supposed to go through the rear of the body and the rear bumper guards. On that part of the body where the exhaust pipes are supposed to go through there are metal plates brazed to the body to cover the holes. They were not welded so that they may be removed if someone wanted to without damaging the body. You will also notice that there are chrome tips protruding through the bumper guards to simulate the actual exhaust pipes. The reason is that as the brackets that hold the exhaust pipes to the bumper guards they wear the exhaust pipes squeak because they will rub on the body and/or the bumper guards.

Front end:

Am not sure when I had it done but the whole front end has had the rubber bushings replaced. I believe it was done by Midas, I believe they also did the brakes which included installing new brake drums on the front.

Tires:

The tires were installed approximately three years ago (5 now). They should be in great shape because the car has been garaged.

Miles driven:

As I have said the mileage 78,188 is original mileage. When I purchased the car it had approximately 50,000 on the speedometer. FYI one of the reasons I was selling the car is it was not being driven. When I pay my insurance AAA requires I record the mileage. In 2003 the mileage was 77,422 and in 2013 the mileage was 78,113 for a total of 1,309 in ten years or 131 miles per year.

**I have only put an additional 163 miles in 2 years L

Speedometer:

There is a dome on the top of the speedometer that may need to be replaced sometime soon. I noticed that is exhibiting some cracking most likely because of aging.

Power antenna:

If you haven’t already found it there is a switch under the dash on the driver’s side just under the ignition switch.

Windshield:

The windshield seal does not leak but shows some wear over the years. Not that it has been driven in the rain, but has not leaked when I washed it.

Turn signals:

Only the left turn signal works, it could be only a bulb I did not trouble shoot them to find out.

Dip Stick:

The dip stick where you put your finger in to pull it out has been broken for some time.

Please let me know if you have any questions as soon as possible so that I can answer best of luck