Nice T-Bird. I normally don't like gray or silver cars, but that one, with the red interior and pinstripes, looks nice; it's a great combination. Sure, it's a 10-footer, but like you said, that makes it a great driver - you don't have to be afraid you're losing value every time you drive it.
Class A - assemblies - doors, hood, deck lid, roof fenders and quarter panels for 55 - 60 T-Bird and later Towncar and Mark and Continentail were supplied by the Budd Co. I visited Wixom in 1983 for a Budd Co. rep. was stationed there. State of the art clean plant - hard workers.
Beautiful Art Modern Cars Are just Barely Rediscovering Flare and Character like Caveman Conceptualizing Fire Incredible Item Good Presentation Great Vibe
When I was a teen (first half of the 1960s, I had a nice 54 2 door Customline Ford with a 6 cylinder and a 3 speed overdrive. I believe the differential was either a 3.71 or a 4.10 (I forget), but in overdrive it would cruise 75 mph so nice and smooth and quiet. The overdrive was 30%
Check overdrive case oil (different than main case), do not drive without oil in it. Should not grind to 2nd ever, hopefully solved with easy clutch adjust. Bump 2nd gear to slow cluster gear to go to first. Install bolt on front disc brakes/dual circuit master cylinder, not sure if discs fit those rims but disc brakes far more important than wire wheels. Also install bolt on rear sway bar makes it a good driver by todays standards. Been driving my performance Ebird for 30 years for a reason. I'd toss the exhuast tips too. These cars are built to drive drive drive and make people smile.
A manual 3 speed transmission with overdrive will deliver up into the 30 MPG’S, they are way more responsive then automatics, and much easier on the engine. With a four barrel carb the initial front primary two barrels are equipped with smaller venturis which will deliver better mpgs. When the secondary Venturis cut in they deliver the performance.
Rear continental spare tire setup was standard in 1955. Optional in '56 and '57. Electric wipers were a dealer installed option too. Also, all '55-'57 Thunderbirds came with a removable hardtop.
Two things, the antenna on the back and the digital after market radio, makes me think it is a seriusXM radio. The engine compartment walls should be black, the red pinstripe and the original red paint behind the sear, shoes this is not restored to vintage factory condition. I would restore it back to the manufacturers colors.
