Ford Thunderbird

1955 to 1957 · Convertible · 16,155 built

A 1955 Ford Thunderbird cost $2,944 new. Over the past 12 months, 104 have sold publicly at a median of $30,800. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $28,900. Across the most recent 250 sales on file, prices ran from $6,250 to $181,500, depending on mileage, color, and history.

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Shifty Estimate

$28,900

High confidence · $20K to $48K

Median · 12 mo: $30,800
Sales · 12 mo: 104
Original MSRP: $2,944Up 882% since new

Enthusiast

Sold$20,300 · Bring a Trailer · Oct 2026

The market

Every recorded 1955 Ford Thunderbird sale, by date and price

Oct 2026 · Bring a Trailer

$20,300 · 51,000 mi · White

See this car

Sold Bid to, not sold

104 sales · 43 unsoldmedian $31kupdated Oct 2026

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Latest results

The newest 1955 Ford Thunderbird sales with photographs

Sold $19,070

1956 · Peacock Blue · 79,000 mi

Oct 25, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $27,800

1955 · Raven Black · 48,000 mi

Oct 9, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $31,000

1957 · Colonial White · 4,000 mi

Oct 2, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $25,250

1957 · Flame Red · 11,000 mi

Sep 28, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $21,250

1955 · Galaxy Blue

Sep 25, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Sold $21,250

1955 · Torch Red · 39,000 mi

Sep 22, 2026 · Bring a Trailer

Other Thunderbird generations

Specifications

Engine: V8, 4.9L
Power: 193 hp
Torque: 280 lb-ft
0 to 60: 9.5 s
Top speed: 113 mph
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: RWD
Production: 16,155 built
Original MSRP: $2,944
Designer: Frank Hershey

Common questions

How much does a Ford Thunderbird cost?

What is a 1955 Ford Thunderbird worth today?

The Shifty Estimate is $28,900, up 0.0% over the past 12 months. Confidence is high: 104 public sales in a year gives a firm read.

Is a Ford Thunderbird a good investment?

It has appreciated 882% against its $2,944 list price. Values are up 0.0% over the past 12 months. Only 16,155 were built. The caution is spread, not direction: across the most recent 250 sales on file, prices ran from $6,250 to $181,500, and mileage explains most of that.

How many Ford Thunderbird have sold?

Shifty has at least 250 public sales of the Ford Thunderbird on file.

What has a Ford Thunderbird sold for at auction?

The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:

$20,300Oct 30, 2026White · 51,000 mi
$19,070Oct 25, 2026Peacock Blue · 79,000 mi
$27,800Oct 9, 2026Raven Black · 48,000 mi

About the 1955 Ford Thunderbird

The first-generation Thunderbird represents Ford's brilliant answer to Chevrolet's Corvette, though it carved its own path as a personal luxury car rather than a pure sports car. Built from 1955-1957, the T-Bird featured Ford's 292 cubic-inch Y-block V8 producing 193 horsepower, later upgraded to the 312 cubic-inch mill making 245 hp. With its distinctive porthole hardtop, continental kit, and elegant proportions penned by Frank Hershey's team, it perfectly captured 1950s American optimism. Only 53,166 examples were produced across three model years, making genuine survivors increasingly sought-after. The removable hardtop and available soft-top configuration added versatility that Corvette couldn't match initially. Today, these early Birds command strong collector interest, particularly well-documented examples with matching numbers and original paint. The '57 models with the larger engine and revised styling are especially prized among enthusiasts who appreciate this uniquely American interpretation of the European sports car concept.