Although the T-bird’s high price of $2944 meant it was always going to appeal to a small but well-heeled group of buyers, the new Ford handily outsold the Corvette in 1955 (16,155 units versus just 700) and it was only the introduction of a V8 version that saved the Chevy from extinction. All Thunderbirds came with a removable fibreglass top featuring distinctive porthole side windows, with a folding rayon hood optional.
Ford made a big effort to dress up the engine bay of the Thunderbird, with plenty of chrome on the trademark domed air cleaner and cast aluminium rocker covers. Manual cars had an 8.1:1 compression version of the 292ci V8 with a Holley downdraught carburettor, developing 193 hp at 4400 rpm, while those T-birds equipped with the Ford-O-Matic transmission were given a higher compression (8.5:1) engine rated at 198 hp to overcome the power loss. Compact in dimensions with crisp, clean lines, the Thunderbird was powered by Ford’s all-new Y-block V8 engine and came with the choice of a three-speed manual overdrive, or automatic transmission. Less overtly sporty, the Thunderbird was more a personal luxury car, this new two-seat roadster offering a good deal more equipment with niceties like power windows, steering and brakes and even a four-way seat.
When Chevrolet unveiled the Corvette in 1953, Ford was already well under way developing its retort, launching the stylish new Thunderbird at the Detroit Auto Show in February 1954.
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