Ford introduced its two-seater February 20, 1954 at the Detroit Auto Show. The new model was christened as Thunderbird - rather than a sports car, it was termed as a “personal luxury car.” The first production car rolled off the line on September 9, 1954 and Ford introduced the car to the public on October 22. Reportedly dealers received 4,000 deposits prompting the company to revise its sales estimates upward. Among the standards was a V-8 engine, Astra-Dial Control Panel with illumination and locking trunk. 16,155 were produced including this Black example with removable hardtop and complementary black and white interior. It is equipped with chrome wire wheels, optional radio and desirable manual floor-shift transmission.