Ford Thunderbird (first generation)
Ford Thunderbird | |
---|---|
convertible/roadster | |
Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
Chassis | Body-on-frame |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-block V8 312 cu in (5.1 L) Y-block V8 |
Transmission |
|
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 102 in (2,591 mm) |
Length | |
Width | 70.3 in (1,786 mm)[1] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Ford Vega |
Successor | Ford Thunderbird (second generation) |
The first generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a two-seat
Dubbed a "a personal car of distinction" by Ford,
1955
Ford unveiled the Thunderbird at the
The Thunderbird came with a removable fiberglass top as standard equipment, with a fabric
The car used existing chassis and suspension design and off-the-shelf Ford mechanical components. It was constructed using a body-on-frame technique utilizing a version of the standard Ford design cut-down to a 102-inch wheelbase identical to the Corvette's.[15] The engine was paired either with a Fordomatic automatic or manual overdrive transmissions, and the car featured four-way powered seats and pushbutton interior door handles. Other unique features were a telescoping steering wheel[16] and a tachometer.[2]
A rare domestic two-seater for the era, it was designed to be a brisk luxury tourer and not a sports car,[17] capable of attaining speeds of 100 to 115 mph (161 to 185 km/h) depending on the transmission ordered.[18]
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1955 Thunderbird in Goldenrod Yellow
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1955 Thunderbird interior
1956
For the 1956 model year, more trunk space was added, the spare wheel was mounted outside (which helped free up trunk space),[15] the exhaust tips were moved to the ends of the bumper, and air vents were added behind the front wheels to improve cabin ventilation. To improve rear-quarter visibility with the removable hardtop in place, "porthole" windows were available as a no-cost option.[12] A 312 cu in (5.1 L) Y-block V8 was added as an option. Production total for 1956 was 15,631 units, the lowest of all three 2-seater Thunderbird model years.
1957
For the 1957 model year, the front
Production totals
Year | Production[23] |
---|---|
1955 | 16,155[24] |
1956 | 15,631[24] |
1957 | 21,380[24] |
Total | 53,166 |
References
Notes
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- ^ a b "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1955_Ford_Thunderbird/1955_Thunderbird_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1956_Ford_Thunderbird/1956_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ a b "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1957_Ford_Thunderbird/1957_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-7603-2183-6. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "1955 Ford Thunderbird - A personal car of distinction". AutomotiveMileposts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ a b "1958 Ford Thunderbird: Personal Luxury 101". AutomotiveMileposts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "The 1955-1960 Ford Thunderbird Automobiles". Farber and Associates. 2009. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Wiron, Walt (December 1954). "1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD ROAD TEST". Motor Trend Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Jim Koscs (May 23, 2016). "OTHER PERSPECTIVES: WHAT IS A THUNDERBIRD?". AutomotiveMileposts.com. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ Jedlinka, Dan. "1955-57 two-seat Ford Thunderbird". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ a b c Rala, James (February 24, 2011). "Ford Thunderbird (two-seater), 1955-57 car review". Weekly Driver. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ Tegler, Jan (November 7, 2004). "1960 Auto Union 1000 SP: The Baby Thunderbird". Autoweek. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Ford Thunderbird History". Edmunds.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1955_Ford_Thunderbird/1955_Thunderbird_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ Mays, James. "1956 Ford Thunderbird". www.OldCarsCanada.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
- ^ "1955 Ford (USA) Thunderbird Hardtop full range specs". www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Thunderbird/1957_Ford_Thunderbird/1957_Ford_Thunderbird_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ D.Lang. "1955 to 1957 Thunderbird Options". Portholeauthority.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "1957 Ford Thunderbird D/F-Code Phase I". Supercars.net. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- ^ "Ford Thunderbird Hardtop 312 Supercharged V-8 overdrive". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- ^ Tast, Alan H. and David Newhardt. THUNDERBIRD FIFTY YEARS. Motorbooks. October 15, 2004.
- ^ a b c Mike Bumbeck (February 2011). "Four-Place Ford Thunderbird". Hemmings Motor News (Print). p. 18.
Bibliography
- Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 76–77. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.