1955 Thunderbird Overview • Introduction: First year of the Thunderbird, launched as Ford’s answer to Chevrolet’s Corvette. Marketed not as a pure sports car, but as a “personal car” combining style, performance, and comfort. • Design: Two-seat convertible with a removable fiberglass hardtop. Clean, rounded styling with modest tail fins and jet-age touches. No portholes in the hardtop this year. • Engine: • Standard: 292 cu in Y-block V8 • Power: 193 hp (manual) / 198 hp (automatic) • Transmissi