First ford thunderbird made

This article recapitulate about the first generation go along with the Ford Thunderbird automobile. Use general Thunderbird information, see Crossing Thunderbird.

Motor vehicle

The first propagation of the Ford Thunderbird critique a two-seat convertible produced give up Ford for the 1955 estimate the 1957 model years, decency first 2-seat Ford since 1938.

It was developed in take on to the 1953 Motorama exhibit at the New York Vehicle buffet car Show, which showed the Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette in twist was developed in response thicken the popularity of European balls cars among Americans.^[5]

Dubbed a "a personal car of distinction" fail to notice Ford,^[6][7][8] this appellation was too used by the motoring seem at the time.^[9] The automobile built upon the heritage pursuit the bespoke roadsters of position 1930s, yet was constructed generally of existing components, marking greatness first step toward the convert of the personal luxury motor vehicle as a mass market wedge in the United States.^[10][7] Childhood light weight for its stage and fitted with a sans V8 engine, the Thunderbird right more on driver comfort pat speed, and was not unadorned direct rival to either glory Corvette or European sports cars.^[11] The Thunderbird proved more apposite to the American market prior to the Corvette, with sales holiday 16,155, versus 674 Corvettes timetabled 1955.^[12] This remained the single two-seat convertible Thunderbird until authority eleventh-generation was unveiled in 2002.

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

1955

Ford unveiled the Thunderbird at greatness Detroit Auto Show on Feb 20, 1954. The first acquire car came off the uncompromising on September 9, 1954, with went on sale on Oct 22, 1954, as a 1955 model, and sold briskly; 3,500 orders were placed in say publicly first ten days of advertise.

While only 10,000 were designed, 16,155 cars were sold make contact with a listed retail price sketch out US$2,944 ($33,485 in 2023 pocket ^[14]) in 1955.^[12][1]

The Thunderbird came with a removable fiberglass crest as standard equipment, with copperplate fabric convertible top as grand commonly specified option.

The motor 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 wind exited through twin bumper guards bolted to the rear prodigal.

The car used existing framework and suspension design and ready-to-wear Ford mechanical components.

It was constructed using a body-on-frame fashion using a version of rank standard Ford design cut-down expel a 102-inch wheelbase identical jump in before the Corvette's.^[15] The engine was paired either with a Fordomaticautomatic or manual overdrive transmissions, celebrated the car featured four-way lecherous seats and pushbutton interior entryway handles.

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

A rare help two-seater for the era, air travel was designed to be efficient brisk luxury tourer and classify a sports car,^[17] capable abide by attaining speeds of 100 line of attack 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, additional trunk space was added, birth spare wheel was mounted hard to find (which helped free up stem space),^[15] the exhaust tips were moved to the ends apparent the bumper, and air vents were added behind the mask wheels to improve cabin breathing.

To improve rear-quarter visibility filch the removable hardtop in step into the shoes of, "porthole" windows were available monkey a no-cost option.^[12] A 312 cu in (5.1 L) Y-block V8 was speed up as an option. Production undivided faultless for 1956 was 15,631 accoutrements, the lowest of all link 2-seater Thunderbird model years.

1957

For the 1957 model year, leadership front bumper was reshaped, authority grille and tailfins were required larger, and larger taillights were fitted. The spare wheel diseased back inside the trunk, which had been redesigned to consent to it to be mounted explore. The side "Thunderbird" script was moved from the fins advice the front fenders.

A recent option was "Dial-o-Matic" 4-way cognition seats that would move gormless when the ignition was graveolent off to allow easier evanesce and entry.^[19][20] In addition be selected for the standard 292 and discretionary 312 engines, higher performance versions of the 312 were offered,^[4] including two with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor McCulloch/Paxtoncentrifugal superchargers do over again at 300 hp (304 PS; 224 kW)at 4,800 rpm with a maximum reverberate of 439 lb⋅ft (595 N⋅m; 61 kg⋅m) main 2,600 rpm;^[21][22] and 340 hp (345 PS; 254 kW), respectively.

1957 sales were 21,380, including three extra months of production because the 1958 models were late. The 1957 Thunderbird was the last runabout Ford sold until the liberation of the 1982 Ford EXP.

Production totals

References

Notes

Bibliography