Used 1955 Ford Thunderbird for sale in Irvine, CA

*This '55 T-Bird is stunningly beautiful, a true 1950's classic. Updated with a 1957 245HP 312ci V8 engine (not the 198HP 292ci standard for 1955) it carries vastly improved power. Installed are a 1957 manifold and holly carburetor. (Original manifold comes with the car) *Standard Ford-O-Matic 3-speed transmission *Lightweight fiberglass convertible top. Removes in 60 seconds by two people. *Power steering, power brakes, power seats, all in excellent working order *Aluminum radiator with seven blade fan for improved drivability, T-Bird's were notorious for overheating. (Owner says from time to time it may still run hot if he's caught for an extended period in bumper to bumper LA traffic). *The 6 Volt battery system has been replaced with a 12 V system. Battery is from a 1956 T-Bird and identical in size to the 1955 6 Volt *Comes with the original convertible top - frame minus the vinyl. *Legitimate Thunderbird wire wheels requiring an inner tube. Tires are not original bias ply and have been updated with radials for increased drivability. Trunk has been updated and contains a space saver spare tire with an extra inner-tube. *Radio is new with trunk mounted custom Kenwood speakers. Buyer can easily source original radio if interested. *'55 T-Birds did not come with portholes. In 1956 portholes were a standard feature and beginning in 1957 portholes were offered as an option. *Production of the T-bird started in October of 1954. Offered as a convertible only, a removable fiberglass hardtop was a popular option. The Thunderbird's body was made of steel and featured roll-up windows, unlike the Corvette's fiberglass body and side curtains. A telescoping steering column, dual exhaust, and a 292-cid OHV V8 were all standard equipment. *Ford had hoped to sell 10,000 T-birds the first year, but instead found itself unable to keep up with demand. Production ran into September, eventually selling over 16,000 examples during 1955. Meanwhile, over at GM, a mere 674 Vettes were sold, with previous year's sales at 3,640. The Corvette would likely have been discontinued, but the success of the Thunderbird prompted Chevrolet to continue production. *This Stunning Example of American History is available for $53,500