When the Thunderbird was presented at the Detroit Auto Show in 1954, it was introduced as Ford’s rival to the Corvette: a “personal luxury car” with sporting potential. The car proved to be a huge success with the public, and dealers reportedly received 4,000 deposits, prompting the company to revise its sales estimates upward. It was equipped with a 292-cubic inch V-8 that was capable of producing 193 horsepower, making it the perfect choice for the couple looking to cruise Route 66 in style.

This 1955 T-Bird was invoiced to the Moffett Ford Company, of Santa Paola, California, on August 25, 1955. It is currently in Torch Red and features a hardtop, engine dress-up kit, and four-way power seat, which was just as it was originally equipped, according to a copy of the original invoice. Additionally, this car features both hard and soft tops, a factory radio, wire-basket wheel covers, fender skirts with stone guards, and whitewall tires. This lovely car, which has been restored to a very high standard, is an excellent example of a first-year Thunderbird, and it would certainly be a wonderful driver or show car.