1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Ford unveiled the Thunderbird at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954. The first generation of the Thunderbird was a two-seat convertible produced by Ford for the 1955 model year - it was the first two-seat Ford since 1938. Dubbed the 'Personal Car' by Ford, it built upon the heritage of roadsters of the 1930s, yet was constructed largely of existing components, marking the first step toward the evolution of the personal luxury car as a mass-market segment in the United States. It included fender skirts and a removable fiberglass top as standard equipment, with a fabric convertible top as a commonly specified option. The engine was Ford's proven OHV 292 cubic-inch Y-block V8, which delivered 18 mpg. The exhaust pipes exited through twin bumper guards bolted to the rear bumper. The car used an existing chassis and suspension design and off-the-shelf Ford mechanical components. It was constructed in a body-on-frame style using a version of a standard Ford chassis cut down to a 102-inch wheelbase. It was produced with Ford-O-Matic automatic or manual overdrive transmission and featured a four-way powered seat and push-button interior door handles. Other unique features were a telescoping steering wheel and a tachometer. A rare domestic two-seater, it was designed to be a brisk luxury tourer that could hit 110 to 120 mph.

This Thunderbird was owned by two ladies who drove it back and forth to the Mississauga Golf Club. There is a well-worn sticker from the Mississauga Golf Club on the windshield.