1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible (LHD)

According to Palm Springs Life magazine, the car's name came not from the Native American symbol as one might expect, but from an ultra-exclusive housing tract in what would later be incorporated as Rancho Mirage, California: Thunderbird Heights. While it was originally intended to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette, the original two-seater T-Bird was never sold as a full-blown sports car. Rather, Ford preferred to describe it as a 'personal luxury car' and the car essentially created this new market segment. With its clean styling, many creature comforts for its day and the power and refinement of its 4.8 litre V8, the Thunderbird was an instant success and 3,500 orders were placed in the first 10 days of sale. Ford had only projected building 10,000 examples, but eventual 1955 sales were 16,155.

As standard, the 1955 Thunderbird included a removable fiberglass top and a weatherproof cover for when it was removed. The only engine choice was a 193HP 292 Y-block V8.