Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning (Read 3795 times) previous topic - next topic

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/07/very-first-ford-thunderbird-to-cross-the-barrett-jackson-auction/

The first of anything always has historical significance, hence an increase in value as well. Last year Barrett-Jackson auctioned off a trio of modern firsts - the Shelby GT500KR, Corvette ZR1, and a Dodge Challenger SRT8 purchased by Craig Jackson himself - all of which went for well over the standard price of each car. For the upcoming auction this January, Barrett-Jackson will be offering the very first Ford Thunderbird, built on September 9, 1954 and featuring a 292 Y-block engine, automatic transmission, power windows, power seats, and Raven Black paint. It has been fully restored it its original condition, and comes with plenty of documentation regarding its history. Hit the jump for the PR from Barrett-Jackson.

PRESS RELEASE:

One of the most significant American sports cars ever built, the first production Ford Thunderbird, will be sold at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009. The Raven Black 1955 T-Bird was produced by Ford Motor Company on Sept. 9, 1954, and represents the birth of Ford's sports car program. Hailed as "The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions," the Scottsdale auction and lavish lifestyle events will feature a diverse mix of the world's most desirable collector vehicles. As always, SPEED will broadcast nearly 40 hours of live, high-definition coverage of all six auction days.

"We are extremely proud to offer this incredible vehicle that I've followed closely over the years," said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. "For Thunderbird enthusiasts and general collectors alike, this is a rare chance to own the first production Ford T-Bird â€" an American icon. It's been meticulously restored to original specifications and comes with plenty of documentation to tell its amazing story."

Penned by Ford designer Frank Hershey, the Thunderbird was a hit among sports car fans across America and became an instant competitor for the Chevrolet Corvette. The first T-Bird is equipped with a 292 Y-block engine, Fordomatic (automatic) transmission, power steering, power windows and power seats. The creature comforts incorporated into the build gave the debut of the first T-Bird even more sizzle.

Ford's new star was tested and featured in numerous articles upon its release, including "Testing the Thunderbird" in the Oct. 4, 1954 issue of "Sports Illustrated." The first Thunderbird has also been displayed at venues across the United States, from Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"After Ford authenticated this 1955 T-Bird as number one, it became a superstar in the automotive world and was paraded across the country for years," added Davis. "First production vehicles have an appeal that no other car in their lineage can compete with, especially when they represent the beginning of one of the most legendary marques of the 1950s. As a result, this first production Thunderbird will be extremely valuable to collectors."

The 1955 Thunderbird will be joined by approximately 1,000 collector vehicles and automobilia to be sold at the historic Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Lifestyle attractions will also return to Barrett-Jackson in January in the form of luxury vendors, galas and fashion shows. Barrett-Jackson's trendy night-spot, "The Garage," will be the site of exclusive gatherings throughout the event.

Raven Black, eh? :hick: Maybe in a gazillion years.



Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #1 –
Based on the overinflated prices the Barrett-Jackson auctions have created, I would place this car's value at eleventy-billion dollars.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #2 –
yeah. Now it'll cost $3000 to buy a $100 beater. Better start stocking up.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Haystack;246674
yeah. Now it'll cost $3000 to buy a $100 beater. Better start stocking up.


Well, it doesn't quite work that way. A beater is still just a beater. What cougarcragar's getting at is how much RARE classics have shot up in price since BJ became popular. Actually, it probably all started when the NASCAR channel started broadcasting the auctions. Did you guys catch the part where they said SPEED will be broadcasting 40 hours of the auction?

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #4 –
Quote from: oldraven;246696
Did you guys catch the part where they said SPEED will be broadcasting 40 hours of the auction?


I know what I'll be doing for those 40 hours....

DOING SOMETHING BESIDES WATCHING SPEED....
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck W;246709
I know what I'll be doing for from now on...
DOING SOMETHING BESIDES WATCHING SPEED....


Fixed :hick:
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #6 –
Since i was there in 2006 in Airzona i place cars price at $1million dollars up to maybe no more than $3 million.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]


http://www.cardomain.com/id/Carpimp1987
1987 T-Bird AEROBIRD-GT had many many mods but is now totaled and is the car that made me want to start customizing everything all over again.
1988 T-Bird 5.0 HO DD/Sleeper/next project car :birdsmily:
1988 Cougar XR7 5.0 HO Vortech Supercharged being bulit right now :cougarsmily:

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #7 –
The guy that owns this car also owns the 1,000,000 bird built. His name is George Watts, if I remember correctly he bought this car in very bad shape many years ago and then found out its serial# of 100005. I guess at some point in time 100004 turned up but Ford still stated that 100005 was the first production Bird. As much as I like Birds I would still take a 57 over this one as this one you wouldnt dare to drive and with the help of Barrett-Jackson I imagine it will help push the price of these baby Birds further from my reach.

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #8 –
Yes it was found in the early 80s, and since it's had a ton of $$$ spent on it...

According to the article in Car Exchange(probably 25+ years ago) serials # 100001, 2, 3, & 4 were regular Fords... The Tbirds were built on the same assembly line, first one was 100005... I dunno about '55, but by the mid '60s about any Ford vehicle with a VIN of less than 100050(or 500050 for Mercury) was a preproduction unit... Usually a small run were produced to verify assembly, usually those were used in ads or possibly press release vehicles... The pre-prod '69s all have a build date of July 4, 1968... Never been able to verify that as the true production day, suspect it was a day or two difference...

I owned a '76 Mustang II that was 100026, having fairly substantial  damage from being T-boned I junked it...

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #9 –
watching the Barrett-Jackson auctions is for people that don't have a life!:shakeass:  because if they did, they would NOT be watching it on the TV!
remember it easier to fix them, than to find them after they been crushed.

V6 = juvenile delinquency!
 

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #10 –
If you go to barret-jackson in scottsdale you will be watching dyno drag races with brand new shelby and mustang dirt shows every 90mins and test drive cars and get free hotwheels and shirts and talk to some of the owners go look at 1000s of cool things you can't afford or just don't really need and after you see all those millions of dollars of cars it ruins carshows for you for the rest of the year. Also if you get a chance waste a few hours in the staging lanes into the auction floor get a close up look and get to hear them start up the cars. spent like 40+ hours in 4 days there and i would not of traded it for any trip anywhere else.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]


http://www.cardomain.com/id/Carpimp1987
1987 T-Bird AEROBIRD-GT had many many mods but is now totaled and is the car that made me want to start customizing everything all over again.
1988 T-Bird 5.0 HO DD/Sleeper/next project car :birdsmily:
1988 Cougar XR7 5.0 HO Vortech Supercharged being bulit right now :cougarsmily:

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #11 –
My wife and I enjoy watching parts of it. Obviously, we could care less about any Mopars or GMs, but some of the Fords can be pretty interesting. Around 15 years ago, we looked for a baby bird for a long time for my wife and then she decided she liked 71 Mach One Mustangs better, so that's what we bought. Works for me. Anyway, I will be curious to see what the first bird goes for in this economy. It may not be as much as people think.
1987 Turbo Coupe - Son's car
1987 Super Coupe - Son's project car
1934 Ford - My project car

Thunderbird #1 on Barrett Jackson block. Dial-up warning

Reply #12 –
all I can say is those mid 50's full sized fords and t-birds were awsome! Gotta love those body lines and those sweet sounding 292 and 312 y-blocks.
88 cougar v6- $75
87 351w pi- $50
5.8 liters in a cougar- priceless!
:burnout: