The 1955 Thunderbird had base price of $2,944 (or $27,730 adjusted for inflation to 2018), or virtually the same price as that year's Corvette. The T-Bird cost more than Ford's $2,224 Fairlane Sunliner convertible. The Thunderbird's optional convertible top added $290.

​

The Thunderbird's first year of production outsold the Corvette more than 23 to 1. Over 3,500 orders were placed in the first ten days of sale. While only 10,000 were planned, 16,155 were sold in 1955.  ​That compared with merely 674 Corvettes produced in 1955. 

​

The 1955 T-Bird included fender skirts and a removable fiberglass top as standard equipment, with a fabric convertible top as a commonly specified option. The engine was Ford's proven 292-cubic-inch OHV 292 Y-block V8, which got 18MPG. The exhaust pipes exited through twin bumper guards bolted to the rear bumper.

​

The car used existing chassis and suspension design and off-the-shelf Ford mechanical components. It was constructed body-on-frame frame using a version of the standard Ford design cut-down to a 102-inch wheelbase identical the Corvette's. It was produced with a Fordomatic automatic or manual overdrive transmissions, and featured four-way powered seats and pushbutton interior door handles. Other unique features were a telescoping steering wheel and a tachometer.

​

A rare domestic two-seater for the era, it was designed to be a brisk luxury tourer and not a sports car and could hit 110-120 mph. [reference]

​

While the car sold well in its first three years, Ford began to wonder if a growing number of American families would continue to buy the two-seater.

​

​