- Last seen
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2021
- Thunderbird Year
- 1955
1955 Thunder Bird for sale, Listing it here first! I am not giving it away, It can always be stored again. I am into it for $24,000. Sell $20,000
I found a true barn / warehouse find, this 55 Thunderbird sat in a warehouse in Detroit for 34 years. Its body is 98% free of rust or dents. I picked it because of its shape and condition.
I brought it home on a tow truck, got it up on jack stands and started stripping her down. Found NO rusted through spots, WOW! So far I have bought a lot of new parts, rebuilt 292ci engine. I am redoing the brakes complete, cleaning rear end and tranny gears, testing for alignment. Minor body work. Undercoating all interior floor pan space.
My biggest issue is electrical, they had disconnected all engine compartments but didn't tag anything. Its still 6vdc positive ground system.. Original color was T-Bird Blue. It appears it was painted black and changed seat cover to black and red, not an option in 55.
I have a lot photos as the work progressed, and what I did. Its not 100% original but semi close.
292 ci with 4 barrel, 193hp 280 lb-ft of torque
Options: 3 speed manual transmission on the floor shifter, with overdrive, Electric seat, Electric windows, Clock, Tachometer, Radio, Convertible, with hardtop, Finned valve covers. Teapot carb and manifold, along with Holly 4 barrel manifold, no carb
Information;
61k miles Very limited surface rust, one rusted though body panel at the front body at passenger door, less than the size of a dime, cut to about a 25 cent piece and new metal welded in.
All exterior trim and bumpers are in excellent shape
Completed;
New brakes, line pads, cylinders, turned drums. Rebuilt 292, bored 60 over, new pistons, bearings, redone heads. Engine assembled and transmission attached. All primed with Eastwood products
Turned flywheel, new pressure plate, clutch disc, throughout bearing pilot bearing, new fuel, oil & water pump new thermostat housing and thermostat, high heat-treated exhaust manifold coating.
New shocks, tires, undercoated trunk, floor pan, gas tank removed cleaned and coated inside & out. Rear gears cleaned new axel bearings polished finned valve covers and painted.
Body has been sanded Bondo add as & where needed, dents fixed one on passenger door, drives door, top front grill, others where very minor. Rebuilt right side door hinge
High build primer, sanded 3 times, 2 coats epoxy primer, (not sanded yet) Eastwood products, new seat foam.
Total almost $12,000 in parts and machine word done.
Thought I would add it does not need restored as much as it needs put together. Motor/transmission is installed now.
I found a true barn / warehouse find, this 55 Thunderbird sat in a warehouse in Detroit for 34 years. Its body is 98% free of rust or dents. I picked it because of its shape and condition.
I brought it home on a tow truck, got it up on jack stands and started stripping her down. Found NO rusted through spots, WOW! So far I have bought a lot of new parts, rebuilt 292ci engine. I am redoing the brakes complete, cleaning rear end and tranny gears, testing for alignment. Minor body work. Undercoating all interior floor pan space.
My biggest issue is electrical, they had disconnected all engine compartments but didn't tag anything. Its still 6vdc positive ground system.. Original color was T-Bird Blue. It appears it was painted black and changed seat cover to black and red, not an option in 55.
I have a lot photos as the work progressed, and what I did. Its not 100% original but semi close.
292 ci with 4 barrel, 193hp 280 lb-ft of torque
Options: 3 speed manual transmission on the floor shifter, with overdrive, Electric seat, Electric windows, Clock, Tachometer, Radio, Convertible, with hardtop, Finned valve covers. Teapot carb and manifold, along with Holly 4 barrel manifold, no carb
Information;
61k miles Very limited surface rust, one rusted though body panel at the front body at passenger door, less than the size of a dime, cut to about a 25 cent piece and new metal welded in.
All exterior trim and bumpers are in excellent shape
Completed;
New brakes, line pads, cylinders, turned drums. Rebuilt 292, bored 60 over, new pistons, bearings, redone heads. Engine assembled and transmission attached. All primed with Eastwood products
Turned flywheel, new pressure plate, clutch disc, throughout bearing pilot bearing, new fuel, oil & water pump new thermostat housing and thermostat, high heat-treated exhaust manifold coating.
New shocks, tires, undercoated trunk, floor pan, gas tank removed cleaned and coated inside & out. Rear gears cleaned new axel bearings polished finned valve covers and painted.
Body has been sanded Bondo add as & where needed, dents fixed one on passenger door, drives door, top front grill, others where very minor. Rebuilt right side door hinge
High build primer, sanded 3 times, 2 coats epoxy primer, (not sanded yet) Eastwood products, new seat foam.
Total almost $12,000 in parts and machine word done.
Thought I would add it does not need restored as much as it needs put together. Motor/transmission is installed now.
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator: