Once named the world’s finest Ford Thunderbird – and still just as exquisite according to Bilweb Auctions’ appraiser – this car has undergone a restoration costing over 2 million SEK, not including the owner's own labor. It is now being sold at auction to the highest bidder.
The car was sold new in Sweden and owned for 42 years by a Thunderbird expert whose ambition was to carry out the perfect restoration. The goal was to bring the car to the highest conceivable standard. That vision was realized with the help of skilled professionals in both Sweden and the USA.
The aim was to win the “Gold Medallion” at the annual convention of the Thunderbird clubs in the USA and to also receive the “Excellence in Authenticity” award.
After years of work on the chassis, drivetrain, electrical system, bodywork, paint, and interior, the car was finally nearing assembly. This phase was preceded by several trips to the USA to collect original parts and to take thousands of photos of untouched Thunderbirds. These images were used to determine exactly how every component was originally mounted – down to the appearance of each screw or the precise placement and orientation of a hose clamp.
In late 1999, when the car was nearly complete, it was shipped in a container to the USA for a new convertible top to be perfectly installed in Los Angeles. Afterwards, many days were spent polishing the car before it was shown at the CTCI (Classic Thunderbird Club International) national convention in Chicago in the summer of 2000. There, the judges meticulously inspect every detail of originality, technical function, finish, and fit.
Remarkably, this Ford Thunderbird received the highest score ever awarded by the international Ford Thunderbird club.
Only those cars that score more than 290 out of the initial 300 points in the thorough inspection of condition and function are awarded the “Gold Medallion.” They then proceed to the “Excellence in Authenticity” round, where a new panel of judges conducts another assessment.
That evening, it was announced that this car had received 297 out of 300 points in the condition evaluation. The previous record was held by a meticulously restored 1955 model owned by an American, which had scored 294 points.
The owner then shipped the car back to Sweden and enjoyed his success for 19 years before selling the Ford Thunderbird to its current owner.
Model Facts:
Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette became an instant success when introduced as a 1955 model.
The idea behind the Ford Thunderbird came from two men – designer George Walker and Ford executive Louis D. Crusoe. Their vision was to include a sportier car in Ford’s lineup. The specification called for a two-seater convertible with a fabric soft top. To keep costs down, parts from existing production models would be used as much as possible.
The ambition was to create a car with better acceleration than its rivals and a top speed over 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour). The new sports car also needed to be clearly identifiable as a Ford and maintain a strong connection to Ford’s standard vehicles.
Unlike its competitor, the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird came equipped with a V8 engine. The Corvette only had an inline-six.
Legend has it that the model still lacked a name as production neared. Louis D. Crusoe is said to have announced a naming contest within the company, offering a $250 suit as first prize. It was Alden Giberson, who worked in Ford’s design department, who came up with the name Thunderbird and won the prize.
The Ford Thunderbird made its debut on February 20, 1954, at the Detroit Auto Show. With a starting price of $2,695, it was an instant hit. Buyers loved its styling, driving dynamics, and speed capabilities.
The Thunderbird name would remain in use by Ford until 2005. The first generation – widely regarded as the most beautiful – was produced only for model years 1955, 1956, and 1957. Just over 53,000 cars were built during those three years. While a modest figure for a Ford model, it clearly outperformed the Chevrolet Corvette in sales during the same period.
