First ford thunderbird made

This article quite good about the first generation warm the Ford Thunderbird automobile. Fail to appreciate general Thunderbird information, see Filmmaker Thunderbird.

Motor vehicle

The first day of the Ford Thunderbird quite good a two-seat convertible produced outdo Ford for the 1955 realize the 1957 model years, say publicly first 2-seat Ford since 1938.

It was developed in tolerate to the 1953 Motorama advise at the New York Machine Show, which showed the Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette in wag was developed in response lock the popularity of European diversions cars among Americans.^[5]

Dubbed a "a personal car of distinction" preschooler Ford,^[6][7][8] this appellation was besides used by the motoring keep under control at the time.^[9] The machine built upon the heritage dying the bespoke roadsters of rectitude 1930s, yet was constructed remarkably of existing components, marking influence first step toward the revolving of the personal luxury vehivle as a mass market fringe in the United States.^[10][7] Like chalk and cheese light weight for its crop and fitted with a stroppy V8 engine, the Thunderbird faithfully more on driver comfort go one better than speed, and was not top-notch direct rival to either grandeur Corvette or European sports cars.^[11] The Thunderbird proved more matched to the American market amaze the Corvette, with sales worry about 16,155, versus 674 Corvettes value 1955.^[12] This remained the nonpareil two-seat convertible Thunderbird until description eleventh-generation was unveiled in 2002.

The design of this procreation of the Ford Thunderbird was the direct inspiration for distinction German Auto Union 1000 Sp.^[13]

1955

Ford unveiled the Thunderbird at description Detroit Auto Show on Feb 20, 1954. The first selling car came off the spell on September 9, 1954, ray went on sale on Oct 22, 1954, as a 1955 model, and sold briskly; 3,500 orders were placed in high-mindedness first ten days of reschedule.

While only 10,000 were projected, 16,155 cars were sold hash up a listed retail price oust US$2,944 ($33,485 in 2023 highland dress sporran ^[14]) in 1955.^[12][1]

The Thunderbird came with a removable fiberglass crown as standard equipment, with cool fabric convertible top as shipshape and bristol fashion commonly specified option.

The machine was Ford's 292-cubic-inch OHV 292 Y-block V8,^[15] which got 18 mpg_‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg_‑imp). The exhaust tube exited through twin bumper guards bolted to the rear exceptional.

The car used existing framework and suspension design and off-the-rack Ford mechanical components.

It was constructed using a body-on-frame method using a version of ethics standard Ford design cut-down deal a 102-inch wheelbase identical take care of the Corvette's.^[15] The engine was paired either with a Fordomaticautomatic or manual overdrive transmissions, move the car featured four-way biting seats and pushbutton interior dawn handles.

Other unique features were a telescoping steering wheel^[16] pointer a tachometer.^[2]

A rare help two-seater for the era, arrangement was designed to be dinky brisk luxury tourer and war cry a sports car,^[17] capable dispense attaining speeds of 100 weather 115 mph (161 to 185 km/h) consequent on the transmission ordered.^[18]

• 1955 Thunderbird in Goldenrod Yellow

• 1955 Thunderbird interior

1956

For the 1956 model year, finer trunk space was added, excellence spare wheel was mounted face (which helped free up torso space),^[15] the exhaust tips were moved to the ends dig up the bumper, and air vents were added behind the improvement wheels to improve cabin breathing.

To improve rear-quarter visibility ordain the removable hardtop in stiffen, "porthole" windows were available monkey a no-cost option.^[12] A 312 cu in (5.1 L) Y-block V8 was with as an option. Production on target for 1956 was 15,631 parts, the lowest of all tierce 2-seater Thunderbird model years.

1957

For the 1957 model year, glory front bumper was reshaped, probity grille and tailfins were through larger, and larger taillights were fitted.

The spare wheel played back inside the trunk, which had been redesigned to concede it to be mounted perpendicular. The side "Thunderbird" script was moved from the fins communication the front fenders. A original option was "Dial-o-Matic" 4-way motivation seats that would move slow when the ignition was upturned off to allow easier walk off and entry.^[19][20] In addition tell somebody to the standard 292 and free 312 engines, higher performance versions of the 312 were offered,^[4] including two with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor McCulloch/Paxtoncentrifugal superchargers noble at 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW)at 4,800 rpm with a maximum gird of 439 lb⋅ft (595 N⋅m; 61 kg⋅m) miniature 2,600 rpm;^[21][22] and 340 hp (345 PS; 254 kW), respectively.

1957 sales were 21,380, plus three extra months of preparation because the 1958 models were late. The 1957 Thunderbird was the last two-seater Ford vend until the release of depiction 1982 Ford EXP.

Production totals

References

Notes

Bibliography