When it comes to American classic cars, there are certain names that are impossible to overlook. The Ford Thunderbird is certainly among these, long having cemented its place in the pantheon alongside Mustangs, Cobras, and Corvettes.
First entering production in 1955 and going on to become one of Ford's most successful models, the Thunderbird was a more luxurious take on the small American sports car, and it was instrumental in the development of the personal luxury car market segment in the United States.
It blended comfort with performance in a way previously only seen in European grand touring cars, revolutionizing the automotive world and paving the way for cars like the Ford Mustang a decade later.
Although the Thunderbird was in production for a staggering fifty years, it is the earliest of its eleven generations that is most desirable. The first-gen T-Bird's influence on style and history is far-reaching, making it one of the most important rides of the 20th century.
The early T-Birds have become hugely popular through their charming combination of speed and sophistication, commanding an impressive price on today's market.
The Ford Thunderbird Was Revolutionary In America
In the 1950s, the US economy was booming. While European and Asian countries had borne the brunt of the fighting in World War Two and saw their infrastructures decimated, the American economy had actually seen improvements due to wartime production demands. This was reflected in the increasingly luxurious cars of the time.
However, while cars became increasingly cushy and comfortable, they also became big and clumsy. That was fine for a pleasant trip from Point A to Point B, but it left the driving experience lacking. There were sports cars available to satisfy the urge for an exciting drive, but they were small and impractical for much else.
The Thunderbird changed this in 1955. Its combination of luxury and sportiness was a revolution that broke open a whole new market segment. Bridging the gap between sports cars like the Corvette and plush sedans like the Bel Air, the Ford Thunderbird was the best of both worlds.
The Thunderbird's success is obvious from its long life and high sales figures, but it was also hugely influential on other models. When Ford launched the Mercury brand, it was in an effort to capitalize on the personal luxury car market that the Thunderbird had created. They even used the T-Bird as the basis for the most popular Mercury model, the Cougar.
The Thunderbird's influence reached farther than Ford, though. It impacted other brands even across the Atlantic. While the concept of the personal luxury car first realized in the Thunderbird was derived from the European grand tourer popular in Italy and England, it was the English who borrowed from the Thunderbird in the design of the Sunbeam Alpine, a car with styling lifted almost directly from the American car.
The 1st Generation Thunderbird Had It All
Although there were no fewer than 11 distinct iterations of the car, for a classic Thunderbird enthusiast, the 1st generation cars are the most desirable. Produced from 1955 to 1957, their tastefully subdued fins and hood scoop, smooth lines, and hooded headlights are distinctively beautiful. Slightly smaller than later models, the 1st generation T-Bird was also the only one offered as a two-seater.
Inside the gorgeously styled car, the speedometer gave a hint about its performance. The only Ford at the time with a speedo reaching all the way up to 150 mph, the Thunderbird promised to back up its good looks with great performance. In 1955, a 292 cu in V8 producing 193 hp powered the car. The figures on the speedometer were a bit optimistic, but the Thunderbird was able to break the 100 mph mark.
In '56, displacement increased to 312 cu in, and power increased to 215 hp. For the next and last year of the 1st generation's production, power from the 312 was up to an impressive 245 hp, and a whopping 300 hp was available from supercharged models. These later model years are recognizable at a glance thanks to the small porthole windows in the convertible hardtop.
A Classic Thunderbird Is Worth As Much As A New Car Today
When it was new in 1955, the Ford Thunderbird retailed for just under $3,000, occupying the same price range as the Chevrolet Corvette. Outselling that car, the Thunderbird exceeded expectations and sold over 16,000 models in its first year of production. Sales figures were similar in '56 and jumped up past 21,000 in '57 for a total number of 53,166 1st gen cars.
Today, you can pick up a classic Thunderbird for much less than a Corvette from the same era. However, the T-Birds still command a hefty price. Most examples on Hemmings right now are listed for between $40,000 $65,000. For a groundbreaking, luxurious, and sporty car, the Thunderbird might be the best value on the market.