198 hp, 292 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine, three-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, coil spring front suspension with tube shocks and stabilizer bar, composite axle with leaf springs and double-acting shock rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102"

• First year of production for an iconic 1950s automobile

• Equipped with hard and soft tops, as well as optional wire wheel covers

• Classic Colonial White with white/black interior and black soft top

In the early-1950s, a small team of designers at Ford Motor Company, headed by Franklin Q. Hershey, was given the green light to move forward with a bold, new design. By the spring of 1952, the group became keenly aware that General Motors was designing a two-seat sports car of its own. The Chevrolet Corvette beat Ford to the punch when GM introduced it at the Waldorf Astoria’s Motorama in January 1953. Not until one year later, at the February 20, 1954 Detroit Auto Show, was Ford’s new entry introduced. Called Thunderbird, it was a “personal luxury car,” which established a new market segment and spawned many competitors.

The first production car rolled off the line on September 9, 1954, and when enough cars were produced, Ford introduced the car to the public on October 22. Dealers reportedly received 4,000 deposits, prompting the company to revise its sales estimates upward. Standard were power steering, brakes, windows, and a four-way seat, as well as an available radio, heater, and choice of three-speed manual or Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. With a gutsy 292-cubic inch V-8 under the hood, the power to effortlessly cruise the new interstates of America was instantly available.

As a result of its clean styling, creature comforts, and V-8 engine, the Thunderbird triumphed over the early Corvette’s novel fiberglass construction, anemic six-cylinder engine, and sports car austerity. The Thunderbird trounced the Corvette in its first year of production, totaling 16,155 units to the Corvette’s 700. Painted Colonial White over a black and white interior, this iconic 1950s automobile was previously in long-term, one-family ownership for many years. It is equipped with the aforementioned standard features, as well as hard and soft tops and the optional wire wheel covers. It will be a welcome addition to any collection of iconic 1950s automobiles.