The Apex Collection · Lot F160
1955 Ford Thunderbird Custom
302 CI V-8, 5-Speed
Highlights
- Built by HRE Motorcars of Freeport, New York
- Custom built and balanced Ernie Elliott Ford Boss 302 CI stroker
- Dyno-tested at 500 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque
- 1937 Ford Tear Drop headlights on cut back front fenders
- Lemans fuel fill on trunk deck
- Reinforced fiberglass body and steel chassis for Mustang II front end with the Ford 9 inch supplied by Regal Roadster of Madison, Wisconsin
- Shaved door handles with electric door poppers and same for trunk deck
- Optional glass wind wings and electric power door windows
- Haartz Black canvas soft top
- Finished in Mercedes-Benz Silver
- Mercedes-Benz Red leather and Confetti White accents
- Black highlight, with light Gray Wilton Wool rugs and mats
- Upholstered trunk and mat
- Custom made gauges with Red lighting
- Billet knobs
- Wood steering wheel
- Custom center cap
- Equipped with stereo with remote, Bluetooth and 4 speakers
- Lap belts
Specification
- Year
- 1955
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Thunderbird
- Exterior
- Silver
- Interior
- Red
- Transmission
- 5-Speed
- Odometer
- 1,020 miles
- Lot
- F160
The Story
Built by renowned constructors HRE Motorcars of Freeport, New York, this 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible is a work of high automotive art incorporating choice classic customizing techniques with the best in contemporary aftermarket technologies. Based on a reinforced fiberglass body on a steel chassis, its Mercedes-Benz Silver exterior features 1937 Ford Tear Drop headlights on cut-back front fenders, shaved door handles and trunk with electric poppers, shaved body-side trim, a black Haartz soft top, a tinted windshield with optional glass wind wings, electric side windows and a rear deck-mounted Le Mans-style fuel filler. BF Goodrich Radials on 16-inch American Torq Thrust D wheels with custom center caps lend a ‘60s vibe to the mix.
Legendary NASCAR engine specialist Ernie Elliot custom-built a Ford Boss 302 stroker engine with the best available components, including a Dart HP block, billet crank and rods, Trick Flow heads with stainless steel valves, Mahle pistons, Edelbrock induction and NOS Boss 302 finned valve covers. Fully balanced and dyno-tested to 500 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque, the Boss stroker drives a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear end supplied by Regal Roadster of Madison, Wisconsin. A Mustang II front end fitted with power steering, tubular A-arms, QA1 adjustable coilovers, 2-inch drop spindles and an adjustable sway bar works in stride with a 5-link rear suspension system and Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes to produce outstanding handling and braking.
This custom Baby Bird also offers a luxury interior highlighted by supple Mercedes-Benz Red leather with pleated Confetti White accents, black dash and upper door trim, and understated light gray Wilton wool carpets and mats, the motif repeating in the trunk. A wood-rimmed steering wheel with custom T-Bird center cap, ‘60s-vintage shifter and e-brake handles, custom gauges with red lighting and billet switchgear are featured along with period lap belts and a four-speaker stereo with Bluetooth to complete this sparkling showstopper.
