Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Production 1955 Ford Thunderbird ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/barrett-jackson-2009-first-production-1955-ford-thunderbird/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/barrett-jackson-2009-first-production-1955-ford-thunderbird/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/barrett-jackson-2009-first-production-1955-ford-thunderbird/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery of the very first 1955 Ford Thunderbird

Do you like your birds rare? Though it's not quite on the endangered species list just yet, there's no doubt that any 1955 Ford Thunderbird is a desirable classic car, and none more so than this particular example, which just so happens to be the first T-Bird ever produced. Powered by its original 292 cubic-inch V8 engine and automatic transmission, this car was restored to completely original condition back in 1965 -- just 10 years after it was first built, and it's also the same car that underwent the first instrumented testing of the T-Bird in the October edition of Sports Illustrated magazine. According to the Ford Motor Company, which confirms the car's unique status, this is the most valuable Thunderbird in existence, and it earned a whopping $660,000 at this year's Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. See the car's official auction description after the break.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Production 1955 Ford Thunderbird


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Production 1955 Ford Thunderbird

Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Production 1955 Ford Thunderbird originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the very first Ford Thunderbird

The first of anything always has historical significance, hence an increase in value as well. Last year Barrett-Jackson auctioned off a trio of modern firsts - the Shelby GT500KR, Corvette ZR1, and a Dodge Challenger SRT8 purchased by Craig Jackson himself - all of which went for well over the standard price of each car. For the upcoming auction this January, Barrett-Jackson will be offering the very first Ford Thunderbird, built on September 9, 1954 and featuring a 292 Y-block engine, automatic transmission, power windows, power seats, and Raven Black paint. It has been fully restored it its original condition, and comes with plenty of documentation regarding its history. Hit the jump for the PR from Barrett-Jackson.

Gallery: Very First Ford Thunderbird


[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Continue reading Very first Ford Thunderbird to cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block

Very first Ford Thunderbird to cross the Barrett-Jackson auction block originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spend a couple of minutes surfing the net and you'll find all sorts of contests giving away all sorts of prizes. The best of them - ahem, like the Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes we ran a year back - give away a new car. But how about an old car? We mean, like a classic... a classic among classics, even, like the 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

That's exactly what Blaster chemicals - makers of a variety of lubricants and rust inhibitors - is giving away to mark its 50th anniversary. Residents of the lower 48 can enter the sweepstakes online until the end of July. The grand prize consists of the T-Bird and a trip for two to Cleveland - home of Rock & Roll and our own John Neff - to pick it up at the awards ceremony. They're also giving away five classic pedal cars, five leather jackets and Blaster-branded apparel. Follow the jump to enter.

[Source: Blaster Corporation via All Cars, All the Time]

Grease Me Up: Lube sweepstakes giving away a '57 T-Bird originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Draxler has loved Ford's personal-luxury coupe for decades, and he's been a tremendous resource for the Thunderbird community for nearly as long with his Thunderbird Ranch operation. Located in Wisconsin, the Ranch could be over-simplified as a yard full of Thunderbirds, and the Badger State thinks it's a lot more complicated than that. Wisconsin has determined that the Thunderbird Ranch is really a salvage operation, and called for all sorts of permits and fees. Rather than deal with the hassle and the expense, Mr. Drexler is razing the ranch. Now would be a good time to get those parts for your '57-'88 'Bird, or possibly even pick up that entire project car. Act fast, or the offer from the scrap metal yard will likely win out.

[Source: Hemmings]

Thunderbird Ranch out to pasture? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto manufacturers have a far less sentimental relationship with their concept cars than we do. Many of the most exciting ideas ever manifested in automotive form have been unceremoniously disposed of once they outlived their usefulness. As car people, we abhor this practice and the equally diabolical effect it has on the price of those cars lucky enough to survive. In the early 1960s, Ford exhibited flights of fancy in their own Custom Car Caravan, at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, and other shows as well. Virtually none of the vehicles produced for those exhibits survive, but one of the few will be crossing the block at Barrett-Jackson in less than three months.

The Ford Thunderbird Italien married a Zagato-riffic roofline with the rocket-age looks of the 1960s T-Birds, and created a car with arresting style. Vince Gardner of Dearborn Steel Tubing handled design and fabrication for Ford. The Italien was one of several show cars that the firm turned out for Ford. Under the aerodynamic pretenses of the roof are four leather bucket seats; two front, two rear. No sliding from side to side along an expansive bench seat in this puppy, you're coddled in the finest wares that Detroit could whip up in the slide-rule sixties. The reason this particular car managed to escape was that actor Dale Robertson took it under his wing, and it later wound up in the care of Don Chambers, a Ford collector. Tom Maruska, who has owned the car since 2006 is working to return this rare bird to its original spec. Now, which Hollywood car nut's got dibs on the Interceptor?

[Source: Motor Trend]

Gallery: 1963 Thunderbird Italien

Rare Ford concept to go on the block at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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