1955 New Interior | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

1955 New Interior

  • Thread starter Thread starter JimLeanna55Bird
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JimLeanna55Bird

JimLeanna55Bird

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Thunderbird Year
1955
I just got my car back with the new bucket seats and console. I am 6' 1" and 210 pounds. Also my height is more in my torso not my legs. My original bench seat had completely broken down to the point I would sink into it about 5 inches and the seam at the back bottom seat split and the metal frame was exposed when I sat. I knew that if I just refoamed and covered the bench it would raise me about 3 to 4 inches which meant I would be unable to sit in the car with the hard or soft top on and with top off my eyes would be above the windshield frame. Plus the bench seat without any adjustability killed my low back after about 15 minutes of driving. I drive this car a lot (living in Southern California) so I made what I think is the only choice and that was to convert to bucket seats. I really wanted to keep the most original looking seat set up in spite of putting bucket seats and a console in. I think my upholstery guy nailed it. While I did not get any additional head room space it is much more comfortable for me to sit in and drive the car as the seat has both forward and back adjustment plus recline ability. He also covered the behind the seat area which used to be just plain metal. He created a little flat shelf with a lip to allow us to place items back there and they won't roll off. I bought the emblems that match the dashboard emblem and he inserted them in the seat backs. The light gray carpet really sets the rest of the interior apart and the footwell covers look great. Overall I am very happy with the entire look and really think it pays homage to the original design and look of the bench seat. Next is new dash cover and door panels.
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JimLeanna55Bird said:
I just got my car back with the new bucket seats and console. I am 6' 1" and 210 pounds. Also my height is more in my torso not my legs. My original bench seat had completely broken down to the point I would sink into it about 5 inches and the seam at the back bottom seat split and the metal frame was exposed when I sat. I knew that if I just refoamed and covered the bench it would raise me about 3 to 4 inches which meant I would be unable to sit in the car with the hard or soft top on and with top off my eyes would be above the windshield frame. Plus the bench seat without any adjustability killed my low back after about 15 minutes of driving. I drive this car a lot (living in Southern California) so I made what I think is the only choice and that was to convert to bucket seats. I really wanted to keep the most original looking seat set up in spite of putting bucket seats and a console in. I think my upholstery guy nailed it. While I did not get any additional head room space it is much more comfortable for me to sit in and drive the car as the seat has both forward and back adjustment plus recline ability. He also covered the behind the seat area which used to be just plain metal. He created a little flat shelf with a lip to allow us to place items back there and they won't roll off. I bought the emblems that match the dashboard emblem and he inserted them in the seat backs. The light gray carpet really sets the rest of the interior apart and the footwell covers look great. Overall I am very happy with the entire look and really think it pays homage to the original design and look of the bench seat. Next is new dash cover and door panels.
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Looks fantastic; though it appears you have done away with your convertible top? And of course everyone wants to know....$$$?
 
lbc3 said:
Looks fantastic; though it appears you have done away with your convertible top? And of course everyone wants to know....$$$?
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I have the soft top I just don't use the drop bar. $8000 included buying the Glide Engineering seat frames.
 

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JimLeanna55Bird said:
I just got my car back with the new bucket seats and console. I am 6' 1" and 210 pounds. Also my height is more in my torso not my legs. My original bench seat had completely broken down to the point I would sink into it about 5 inches and the seam at the back bottom seat split and the metal frame was exposed when I sat. I knew that if I just refoamed and covered the bench it would raise me about 3 to 4 inches which meant I would be unable to sit in the car with the hard or soft top on and with top off my eyes would be above the windshield frame. Plus the bench seat without any adjustability killed my low back after about 15 minutes of driving. I drive this car a lot (living in Southern California) so I made what I think is the only choice and that was to convert to bucket seats. I really wanted to keep the most original looking seat set up in spite of putting bucket seats and a console in. I think my upholstery guy nailed it. While I did not get any additional head room space it is much more comfortable for me to sit in and drive the car as the seat has both forward and back adjustment plus recline ability. He also covered the behind the seat area which used to be just plain metal. He created a little flat shelf with a lip to allow us to place items back there and they won't roll off. I bought the emblems that match the dashboard emblem and he inserted them in the seat backs. The light gray carpet really sets the rest of the interior apart and the footwell covers look great. Overall I am very happy with the entire look and really think it pays homage to the original design and look of the bench seat. Next is new dash cover and door panels.
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Beautiful!
 
Beautiful work and an improvement over original! Being 6’-2”, 260lbs, I feel your pain! 😂. I will be saving your pictures to use as an example. I will just do the bucket seats and armrest/cup holders as I want to keep a soft top installed. It will be awhile before I get to this as I have a list of upgrades more important but this will get done! I sure hope I can find someone in Georgia that can live up to the quality you found with your upholstery shop!
 
She's a beaut! The center console treatment solves the ol' drinker-holder problem too. Love the T-Bird emblems on the seats, although if you're entering the car while shirtless (I'm SoCal too, so yeah, I've done that) take care not to permanently brand your back on those things. I'll wave from my '57 if I see your gorgeous '55 on the streets!
 
At first glance I thought it was pulled out of a 60's Bird, it looks so natural. An outstanding job. I have the same problem as you, and hardly put the top on my '55 because I can't get my head in without self induced whiplash.

Who did the job?
 
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