Did you get what your heart desired under the Christmas tree? Throughout this holiday season, people were clamoring for Santa Claus to leave trends such as Stanley Quencher cups or Labubus in their stocking. This Photo of the Week taps into what folks were hoping to find under their tree during the 1954 Christmas season: the 1955 Ford Thunderbird. On display in the toy department at the iconic Abraham & Strauss flagship store on Fulton Street, this miniature version of the car was one of two that were raffled off in a Christmas giveaway.
Launched in October 1955, the Thunderbird set the tone for stylish American driving. With a maximum capacity of 120 miles per hour, this automobile exceeded Ford’s projected sales. In its first year, 16,155 autos were produced, much higher than the projected estimate of 10,000 units. With a base price of approximately $3,000, this was the most expensive car in the Ford lineup to that point.
Originally designed as a two-seat coupe, the model debuted at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show. Though the Thunderbird possessed some of the same design qualities as other Ford models at the time, such as singular, circular headlamps and tail lamps and small tailfins, the Thunderbird was sleeker in form and featured a 150-mph speedometer that was not available on other Ford cars of the 1950s.
Marketed as a personal luxury car, Ford’s response to competitor Chevrolet’s Corvette was equipped with a standard removable hardtop and offered options such as power windows, seats, and steering. As a personal car that emphasized comfort and convenience, the Thunderbird outsold the sporty Corvette 23-to-one. An iconic chapter in American automotive history, the Thunderbird’s mass appeal continues to this very day. It remains one of the most collectible cars from the 1950s, and its enduring popularity showcases the long-lasting fascination with the venerable sports car.
Interested in seeing more photos from CBH’s collections? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images, or the digital collections portal at Brooklyn Public Library. We welcome appointments to research our entire collection of images, archives, maps, and special collections. Our reference staff is available to help with your research! You can reach us at cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org.
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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