It came with a base sticker price of $2,695 and included a removable hard convertible top and power-operated seats. It officially went on sale the following month. The first 1955 model Thunderbird rolled off the Ford Motor Company’s assembly line in Dearborn on September 9, 1954. The car made its first public appearance on Februat Detroit’s first auto show following World War II.

A southwest native, Giberson said he took the name from the Thunderbird of Native American mythology. Frustrated with the suggestions, Crusoe offered $250 to anyone who could come up with an option he liked.Īlden “Gib’’ Giberson, a young stylist for Ford offered the winning name, Thunderbird. More than 5,000 names for the new car were considered, including Hep Cat, Beaver, Runabout, and El Tigre.

The goal was to build a car that could travel at up to 100 miles per hour, weighed 2,525 pounds, had balanced weight distribution, and was powered by an interceptor V-8 engine. According to Ford’s website, the initial plans for a T-Bird featured: “A two-passenger, canvas-topped open car that ‘would make maximum use of standard production components.’’’Ĭheck out Ford’s most iconic cars and trucks

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