1955 Ford Thunderbird Sales Brochure, "A Personal Car of Distinction"

Ford Motor Company introduced Thunderbird for 1955. The two-seat convertible came in response to Chevrolet's Corvette, which arrived two years earlier. Thunderbird was a personal luxury car boasting the look and V-8 power of a sports car, but with a more refined interior and a variety of power-assist options. Ford built more than 16,000 Thunderbirds in that first model year.