T-Bird Poll
Thunderbird Faves?
The original Thunderbird was a racy two-seater with clean, crisp lines on a 102-inch wheel base. Overall length was 175 inches, height was a low 52 inches, and the car was 70 inches wide. Standard curb weight was 3,180 pounds.
The base sticker price of $2,695, included the removable hardtop, but not the soft top. Clock, tachometer, power-operated seats and a 292 CID V-8 engine also were standard equipment. However, practically none of the early Thunderbirds left the dealership without either overdrive or automatic transmission and most of the power options. Prices of the 1955 models ranged from $3,000 to $4,000.
The car was an immediate smash hit. Buyers of all ages, from all walks of life described the car in terms such as "wonderful," a "masterpiece," "advanced automobile" and a "morale builder that is real fun and sport to drive."
One letter even revealed that, after having viewed a magazine illustration, the admirer instructed an American relative to buy the 1955 Thunderbird and ship it to him in Europe.
The magic of the name and the impact of the car made it a natural merchandising tie-in for manufacturers of a wide range of goods - coats, jackets, shirts, shoes, rugs, furniture and toys, to name a few. Magazines also featured the Thunderbird in promotional campaigns. Some of the more prominent activities included:
- The Powercar Company of Connecticut offered a Thunderbird Junior, a mechanically operated scale model car youngsters could drive.
- Mechanix Illustrated offered Thunderbird as the first prize in their 1955 Build Words contest.
- Cluett-Peabody used the Thunderbird to promote and sell Arrow shirts.
- Worsted-Tex marketed Thunderbird-inspired coats, and many other clothiers used the car in promotions.
The public went for the Thunderbird in a big way, placing more than 3,500 orders in the first 10-day selling period. The planning volume for the entire model year was only 10,000 units. Ford had explored an uncharted market for unique transportation and came up with a winner.
The T-Bird Community will be opening online soon and featuring social groups, classifieds, photo galleries, events, and more Ford Thunderbird Faves!