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Luxury1955 Ford Thunderbird: History, Specs and Corvette Rivalry
Ford's answer to the Corvette won the first round.
Ford's 1955 Thunderbird arrived with a clear job: beat the Chevrolet Corvette. It did so quickly. Ford sold 16,155 Thunderbirds in the first year while the Corvette managed about 700.
Why Ford called the Thunderbird a personal car
Ford avoided calling it a sports car. The two-seat Thunderbird was a comfortable personal car with a V8, power options, roll-up windows and a removable hardtop. That mix of style and ease gave buyers who wanted a sporty look without a harsh ride a reason to choose it.
1955 to 1957 Thunderbird: the two-seat years
The original ran for 1955, 1956 and 1957. The 1956 model offered round porthole windows in the hardtop, and the 1957 gained fins and more power. For 1958 Ford added a back seat and the car changed character. Collectors prize the early two-seat cars, and the porthole hardtop is an easy way to spot a 1956.
1955 Ford Thunderbird key facts
- Two-seat years
- 1955 to 1957
- 1955 sales
- 16,155
- Rival
- Chevrolet Corvette