20th Sep, 2023 12:00

30th Anniversary Sale at The Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 352
 

1955 Ford Thunderbird
Fully restored Thunderbird with much recent expenditure

Sold for £31,500

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: 442 UYL
Chassis No: P5FH201109
MOT: Exempt

  • Imported to the UK in 2015 and fitted with three three-speed manual transmission
  • Over £18,000 of recent expenditure with Cotswold Classic Car Restorations
  • Featured on the front cover of the December, 2021 issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine

Conceived to steal sales away from Chevrolet’s successful Corvette, Ford’s Thunderbird range would progress through no less than 11 generations with a combined production total in excess of 4.4 million units. The first-generation cars hit the streets in October 1954 and, while it had been created in direct response to the racy Chevrolet Corvette, Ford's emphasis was more on comfort than overt sportiness. A true piece of automotive Americana, it was immortalised by the Beach Boys' hit song 'Fun, Fun, Fun' and in the George Lucas car movie 'American Graffiti' (1973). The design’s kerb appeal is perhaps best encapsulated by the lengthy list of celebrity owners including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.

Originally sourced at the now famous Pebble Beach auctions in 2014 and imported to the UK in 2015, this great-looking example has undergone a full, frame-off restoration and is professionally finished in Waterfall Blue. It sports a new and correct blue and white interior with the factory radio and offers the choice of both a white Soft-top and matching Hardtop. Firestone wide white-wall tyres and optional wire wheel hubcaps were popular period choices for this car which is powered by the aforementioned 292ci. Thunderbird V-8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive. The highly detailed engine compartment and chassis are great finishing touches to this classic piece of fifties Americana. This excellent T-Bird is supplied with a V5C registration document and copies of the American title. Thunderbirds are hard to find in such excellent condition and with the added options making this a relaxing drive, there are very few driving experiences that can compete. The current owner bought the car in 2018 and spent over £18,000 on works to the bodywork, trim, wiring, engine and transmission with Cotswold Classic Car Restorations with receipts in the history file for it and the car was subsequently featured on the cover of the December 2021 Classic & Sports Car Magazine. Now, the vendor has decided to sell the car to make room for other cars in his collection.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430

 

Auction: 30th Anniversary Sale at The Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 20th Sep, 2023

Established in 1993, H&H has sold some of the world's most significant motorcars and motorcycles over the past 30 years. Now owned by its employees and trusted by over 75,000 clients worldwide, we are the longest established auction house of our kind in Europe.

 

Buyers, bidders and attendees will enjoy a special day in the prestigious Imperial War Museum with some fantastic treats including.
Drinks Reception   |   Music   |   Guest Speakers

With each successful bidder receiving a specially selected hamper.

Watch the website for more details.

 

To take part in the bidding action please click 'Register to Bid | Sign In' at the top of the page

 AUCTION VENUE  GET A VALUATION

Viewing

Tuesday 19th September 2023 from 1pm to 8pm
Wednesday 20th September 2023 from 9am

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All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

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