1955 T bird changes/exhaust rear back up light?

[johndickred]

I was told that during the manufacturing of the first T birds that they did not originally have the rear back up lights with lens above the tail lights but a chrome plate, and that the rear exhaust was not mounted through the openings on the rear bumper but underneath the vehicle. Can anyone tell me if this is true or not. All pictures I see are with back up lights and exhausts through the rear bumper. I was lead to believe this was on the very first ones manufactured.
Thanks
John

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[cokefirst]

I have never heard that. Even the prototypes have the exhaust through the bumper guards at the rear so I am doubtful about this statement.

 

[doug7740]

My Thunderbird was made on December 20, 1954 and my friends Thunderbird was made a few days after that. Both of our cars are early Thunderbirds and both are equipped with automatic transmissions. My friends Thunderbird has back-up lights and my Thunderbird has the fluted metal panels. The 1955 tail light assembly was designed to permit the installation of optional accessory back-up lights in the chamber above the stop light. A clear lens was installed in place of the fluted metal panel.

Attached is a picture of my Thunderbird without the backup lights.

The first production Thunderbird, VIN number P5FH100005, has the exhaust exiting through the bumper guards. All 1955 Thunderbirds had two separate exhaust pipes exiting through bumper guards placed on the rear bumper. The later 1955 Thunderbird bumper guard was simplified, the inner sleeve of the early bumper guard was frequently referred to as the "doughnut" style for it's unusual shape.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Bond007]

My Thunderbird was made on December 20, 1954 and my friends Thunderbird was made a few days after that. Both of our cars are early Thunderbirds and both are equipped with automatic transmissions. My friends Thunderbird has back-up lights and my Thunderbird has the fluted metal panels. The 1955 tail light assembly was designed to permit the installation of optional accessory back-up lights in the chamber above the stop light. A clear lens was installed in place of the fluted metal panel.

Attached is a picture of my Thunderbird without the backup lights.

The first production Thunderbird, VIN number P5FH100005, has the exhaust exiting through the bumper guards. All 1955 Thunderbirds had two separate exhaust pipes exiting through bumper guards placed on the rear bumper. The later 1955 Thunderbird bumper guard was simplified, the inner sleeve of the early bumper guard was frequently referred to as the "doughnut" style for it's unusual shape.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

Beautiful car, Doug.