Five Months Gone: 1955 Ford Thunderbird – Sold?

May 5, 2021 Update – while this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

March 29, 2021 Update – In addition to posting a fresh listing, the current long-time caretaker of this classic Thunderbird just lowered their price by another $500 to $22,500.

March 17, 2021 Update – The current caretaker just lowered the price of their driver quality T-Bird another $500 to $23,000.

February 26, 2021 Update – Spending most of my life in Western New York as a classic car enthusiast, it was pretty common to see cars that did not sell before the winter being relisted in the Spring as the snow began to melt.  That’s exactly what happened with this ’55 Thunderbird we originally spotted back in November. Based on the seller’s latest description, it appears a number of the spare parts included last fall are now installed on this Thunderbird.

December 2, 2020 Update – we confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!”

November 17, 2020 Update – Just one more week after lowering their price to $1,000, the private seller dropped it another $1,000 to the current ask of $21,900.  Two $1,000 price drops in as many weeks indicate we likely have a very motivated seller.

November 10, 2020 Update – Just one week after initially posting their Craigslist ad for their Baby Bird, the private seller reduced the asking price by $1,000 to $22,900.

Long-time GuysWithRides followers know we’ve been predicting declining values of 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbirds since we started this website.  Hagerty Insurance confirmed our analysis in late October in this Hagerty Insider article where they spun it as one of the classic cars quickly becoming “more attainable.  Why? Simple supply and demand:  too many Baby Boomers restored these cars over the past 30 years and now that they aging out of the hobby, there is literally a glut of driver-quality examples to buy at any given time.

The private seller of this 1955 Skyhaze over white says typifies the trend: “This car is not a show car but is a sweetheart for a Sunday drive. I’m 80 yrs old and my body won’t allow me to twist and turn anymore. The vehicle spent the last 25 yrs in Florida. Must sell.”  If you are interested, you can find this Baby Bird originally listed in November 2020 and then relisted in April 2021 on Craigslist again in Webster, New York (Rochester) with a revised asking price of $23,500.  A check of the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms this private seller has their T-Bird priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $16,150 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $24,300.  Equipped with two tops and power seats, this Thunderbird comes with many spare parts and to be the perfect classic car you can drive while you make the upgrades the current owner planned to do.

Here’s the seller’s most recent description:

“1955 Ford Thunderbird, convertible and also has the 56 hardtop, fenderskirts.

292 v8, auto. power seats. recent work done includes new head gaskets (correctly installed), (notice cleanliness in lifter area),

engine flushed, new radiator, thermostat, hi-output water pump, new belts, hoses, 6 blade fan, coolant.

new starter relay, battery tray, complete tune-up, (plugs, points, condenser, coil, plug wires, rotor, and cap). new neutral safety start switch.

rebuilt t-pot 4 bbl carb. recent oil and filter change. new temperature sending unit and oil sender unit. new fuel tank, straps, and sending unit. rechromed bumpers. some interior items are on order. a new starter is in the box. the harmonic balancer has been rebuilt. next item to be rebuilt is the brakes.

And here’s the seller’s original description:

“1955 Thunderbird. Both tops, 292V8, auto. PSeat, original radio. This vehicle had 4 owners. 86K on the odometer. To date the items rebuilt or upgraded incl. New cooling system, radiator, HO pump, belt, 6 blade fan, hoses, clamps, wide mouth thermostat. Rebuilt 4bbl “Teapot” carb. New plugs, points, cond., wires, coil. New tach cable/gears. New head gaskets installed, original gaskets were installed backwards. Engine is smooth and solid. Recent oil and filter (special oil w/ZDDP). Recent battery, cables, starter relay. Body wiring has been tested and functions. New fuel tank, sending unit, straps and bolts, line. Power seat motors work. Clock does function but needs minor adjustment. The current plan is paint cockpit floor, reinstall seats. Future items would be to rebuild brakes (discs in front would be nice). Have bumpers rechromed, they are originals. Down the road, I would have undercarriage coated. Undercarriage was just power washed. Their are many spare parts.
This car is not a show car but is a sweetheart for a Sunday drive. I’m 80 yrs old and my body won’t allow me to twist and turn anymore. Veh. spent last 25 yrs in Florida. Must sell.

Would you restore or just continue driving this Thunderbird as is?  Comment below and let us know!