Highlights: – 4.8-litre (292 cubic inch) V8 engine, petrol, manual transmission – Cabriolet with a removable hardtop included – Red paintwork with a red and white interior and whitewall tyres – Chrome bumpers with the distinctive bullet-style overriders and rear-mounted spare wheel compartment – Dutch registration with documents and an appraisal report present The private seller offers for sale this 1955 Ford Thunderbird, powered by a 4.8-litre V8 engine, paired with a manual transmission. Finished in a bright red with a red and white interior, this first-generation Thunderbird is an icon of 1950s American design and instantly recognisable on the road. When Ford introduced the Thunderbird in 1955, it created an entirely new class of car: the personal luxury sports car. Rather than compete head-on with the Chevrolet Corvette, which had appeared two years earlier, Ford offered a two-seater with a V8 engine, roll-up windows, comfortable seats and an optional removable hardtop. It was an immediate success, with more than 16,000 sold in its first year, well above Ford’s expectations. The styling, with a hood scoop, round headlights set in chrome bezels, small tailfins and a neat, short rear deck, remains one of the most admired of the period. This example has the Y-block V8 engine under the bonnet, which is clearly visible in the engine photos with its chrome air cleaner and valve covers. The seller supplies the car with its removable hardtop, which can be fitted for winter or removed for open-top touring, and the two-tone red and white upholstery together with the red steering wheel gives the cabin a lively, period-correct feel. The luggage compartment houses the spare wheel in its original position. The seller has supplied photographs of the registration papers and an appraisal report with the car. A classic Thunderbird is a rewarding car for relaxed summer drives and shows, and 1955 first-year cars are among the most desirable. Condition of the bodywork & paint 3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives. Condition of the interior 4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time. Technical condition 4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing. Overall condition 3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives. This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only. We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment. All auction vehicles offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid. Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction. This vehicle comes from a private collection and is currently located in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. This vehicle drives, brakes and shifts. The vehicle has a Dutch registration. The chassis number is P5FH138839. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction. The description of this vehicle is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the vehicle from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy. Read more