This was the car that started it all. It was an instant classic, and it
became an American icon. It defied classification: It was sporty but it
wasn't a sports car; It was luxurious, but it wasn't a luxury car; It was
both a hardtop and a convertible.
The 1955 Thunderbird was a sensation on America's roadways, and there was
absolutely nothing else like it anywhere. Overnight, it made the 6 cylinder
Chevrolet Corvette seem underpowered, uncomfortable due to its plastic
side curtain windows, and utilitarian with its lack of accessories and
color choices.
This car changed forever the way Americans looked at cars, and singlehandedly
brought new excitement and glamour to the automotive world. It opened the
door to the trend setting and inspiring Thunderbirds that would bear its
name in the future.
1956
Coming Soon
1957
Coming Soon
1958
AD TAGLINES: America's Most Individual Car
NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA:
France's Charles de Gaulle was Time Magazine's 1958 Man Of the Year, and
NASA began operations on October 1, 1958. Ford Motor Company ushered in
the New Year by showing the new four passenger Thunderbird to a prominent
group of citizens at the Thunderbird Golf Club in Palm Springs, California.
The car was introduced a week later on January 6, 1958 at the Chicago Auto
Show.
THUNDERBIRD HISTORY:
Four passenger seating capacity that created the personal
luxury car market segment
Individual front seats with panel console introduced
Thunderbird 352 Interceptor V-8 engine introduced
Cruise-O-Matic transmission option
Single unit body construction
Front and rear coil spring suspension
SelectAire Conditioner option
Quad headlamp system
Safety-Twin Tail Lamps
Two door hardtop configuration
Hardtop most popular model 1958-1965
Sports Spare Tire Carrier option
Convertible introduced as separate body style in
June, 1958
Overdrive option for 3-Speed Conventional Drive
1959
The Car Everyone Would Love to Own
"Some Like It Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and
Jack Lemmon was released, and the United States Grand Prix ran at Sebring
on December 12, 1959. Team Cooper dominated the race with Bruce McLaren
winning the race and Jack Burcham winning the championship.
Thunderbird 430 Special V-8 engine option
Genuine Leather upholstery option
White control knobs, switches, and instrument
gauge backgrounds
Rear leaf-spring suspension
Sun Ray Full Wheel Cover option
1960
World's Most Wanted Car
Future Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon participated in
four live televised debates held on September 26, October 7, 13, and 21,
1960. Top 30 AM radio was playing week ending April 16, 1960's number one
hit "Greenfields" by Brothers Four; Connie Stevens was at number
two with "Sixteen Reasons;" Percy Faith's "Theme From 'A
Summer Place'" was dropping slowly off the charts at number 29; and
Elvis Presley hit the charts with "Stuck On You."
Hardtop with Sliding Sun Roof option (1960 only)
Triple tail lamp pods
Day-Nite adjustable rear view mirror
Fully-automatic convertible top operation
(Introduced during late 1959 production?)*
Final year for 3-Speed Conventional Drive and
optional Overdrive
*We're attempting to verify this, there's conflicting information.
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