1955 Ford Thunderbird Road Test Review [Collector Car Guru Seat of The Pants Videos]

[@Colorado_Native]

This just popped up on my feed. I have a 1955 that was built on Monday, Feb 14, 1955. It is red/white with the dress-up kit and has 93,000 miles. It is on its first engine and transmission rebuild. Pe ople love it. I pulled into a gas station/cafe. One girl said she wouldn't make me anything to eat until she got a ride in the car. The manager approved and she smiled the entire short trip. I still had to pay for the sandwich and drink. FWIW, an easier way to tell the 55s from 56s is 55s don't have the side vents. The car can get quite hot, because the mufflers are just forward of the seat. And yes, my trim is mounted upside down from a repaint. Thanks for posting.

[@McCoy34]

Love this guy’s enthusiasm!

[@JS60SIX]

That looks like an enjoyable way to spend a day!

[@MostlyBuicks]

Once more the "Hash marks" chrome on the fenders are mounted upside down. This error is becoming more common that the correct way of mounting them!

[@CollectorCarGuru]

Indeed, you are correct. Unfortunately, this was done by a prior owner at the time of painting, and we didn't want to risk trying to remove and correct them.

[@MostlyBuicks]

@@CollectorCarGuru Thank you. Usually I get replies like "how do YOU know?" or "You're wrong" etc. What puzzles me is why are so many mounted incorrectly? It sticks out like a sore thumb. Some people think you have to swap them side to side. But a right part will not even mount on the left fender. It is simply a matter of rotating them 180 degrees. They are easy to correct. 6 nuts and remove the front tires for a more comfortable access.

[@CollectorCarGuru]

​@@MostlyBuicks We see this type of stuff all of the time on cars, even when we've judged on the concours field. Usually the people who disassemble for painting don't take photos of the "easy" parts, and those are the details that often are incorrect. What we also see on older repaints are emblems not removed before painting (even color changes!) or paint fade over years making small corrections to trim stick out like sore thumbs. Super glued / epoxied-on trim, as well.

[@MostlyBuicks]

@@CollectorCarGuru If you want a car restored, it is best to go to a shop that specializes in the marque you are restoring. There are others, but the best one that comes to mind for these T-Birds is Amos Minter and son. That mistake should never go unnoticed at a CTCI concours event.

[@MostlyBuicks]

@@CollectorCarGuru Yeah, paint shops break stuff almost as a given. And for some reason they do not think they should have to absorb the cost of repair or replacement. They do paint and body and all collateral damage is a "so what?"

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

Great video sir

[@kodisbears]

I own a '55 and would love to see a video on how to access the tach needle or the fuel gauge. My tach needle snapped off and it's a very tight space to try and remove it. Just wondering if there's a better way than I've tried.

[@CollectorCarGuru]

Most '55 Tbird experts recommend removing the whole gauge pod by unscrewing the speedo cable and the four fasteners for the pod, after which you can then get at the wires and light bulbs to disconnect them and have plenty of room for gauge removal.