Restoring the First Sports Cars: 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbird vs 1955-1957 Chevrolet Corvette

When the Chevrolet Corvette was unveiled in 1953 and the Ford Thunderbird hit the market in 1955, these new sports cars quickly captivated American drivers. New technologies provided power and convenience, while the bold styling that characterized the 1950s made the new sports cars sleeker than the vintage roadsters available before.

There were some early growing pains for both automakers and early production numbers were low. As these vehicles became collector favorites in later years, the rarity, along with the unique designs, made the first generation of Ford Thunderbirds and Chevy Corvettes from 1955 to 1957 highly sought after automobiles.

Today, buying a restored 1950s roadster is a goal for many car lovers. Many Vintage Auto Garage customers choose to restore a vintage Corvette or Thunderbird themselves. If you are deciding which of these advanced projects you want to take on, here are some of the most important considerations for design, performance, necessary work, and price on these famous cars.

Innovative Design with the Chevy Corvette

Unveiled in 1953 at the Motorama in Detroit, the Corvette offered a brand new sporty look more akin to a European race car than anything seen on U.S. roads before. The Corvette had a smaller body and lost the large fenders and curves that characterized pre-war American cars. It was a design that instantly intrigued buyers, although few actually bought the new ‘Vette. The design was a little too different and the car lacked the power customers expected from a sports car.

1955 saw a necessary upgrade for the Corvette when Chevy added a V8 option and a 3 speed manual transmission in addition to the Powerglide automatic transmission. The V8 Corvettes also used 12 volt electric. Chevy produced only 700 Corvettes in 1955, but had laid the groundwork to compete with the new Ford Thunderbird.

Now with the more powerful V8 engine, Chevrolet redid the styling to create the iconic 1950s Corvette. The tailfins were gone and the Chevy added the memorable side panels behind the front wheel. There were also options for a removable hardtop, Delco radio, and power windows. Color choices were:

• Onyx Black
• Polo White
• Aztec Copper
• Cascade Green
• Venetian Red
• Arctic Blue

The 1957 Corvette looked virtually the same as the prior year, but did get some equipment upgrades. The horsepower increased, and buyers now had the option for a 4 speed manual transmission and fuel injection engine.

Sales numbers for both the 1956 and 1957 models were around 3,500 each year, well below those of the Ford Thunderbird, making the early Corvettes rare and highly prized cars among collectors.

Design with Luxury in Mind for the Ford Thunderbird

Ford Motor Company released the Thunderbird in 1955 in response to the Chevy Corvette. Wanting to keep up with Chevrolet, Ford offered the T-bird but marketed it more for luxury than sport. This approach worked better for American drivers. During the first year of the Thunderbird, Ford sold more than 16,000 cars while Chevy put out only a few hundred Corvettes.

That first year, Thunderbirds came in a 2 seat convertible body with either a soft top or hard top option. Early Thunderbirds had a sleek design with bold lines from their protruding headlights to hood scoops to tail fins. They are attractive roadsters that will turn heads on the street. For car enthusiasts that want to restore the car to its authentic look, the original colors for the Ford Thunderbird were:

• Raven Black
• Thunderbird Blue
• Torch Red
• Goldenrod Yellow
• Snowshoe White

Likewise, the original trim options for the 1955 model year gives you a number of bright options:

• Black and White
• Red and White
• Black and Yellow
• Turquoise and Yellow

The 1956 and 1957 model years added on exterior paint colors like tan, green, grey, rose, and coral. New interior options included white and blue, white and green, all red, and all bronze.

As a car centered around performance, the 1955 Thunderbird came with either a standard, 3 speed manual V-8 engine or a slightly more powerful V-8 engine with 2 speed Ford-o-Matic transmission and higher compression. In the next years they added a 312 c.u. engine and, in 1957, the powerful F-Bird engine, which is now very hard to find.

1955 Ford Thunderbirds used a 6 volt electrical system, which you will need to take into account for accessories. Thunderbirds from 1956 and later used 12 volts and the 1957 Thunderbird used this power to provide high-end features like power windows and power steering.

Restoring a Vintage Ford Thunderbird

Both engine options on the 1955 Ford T-Bird were dependable, and most owners find the engines still work well today. If you are looking at a later model 1956 or 1957 Thunderbird with a 312 c.u. engine, they do tend to leak at the rear main seal. This is a problem with this engine in any car, not just the T-Bird, but it can be an expensive repair or replacement during your restoration project.

Other Ford Thunderbird parts are easy to find as well. Ford opted for more affordable parts, especially in the early years of the T-Bird, and used the same parts that were on many of their other cars at the time. You can pull used OEM Ford parts and accessories to fit your Thunderbird from many different cars, making it relatively easy to get the parts you need.

The popularity of 1950s cars also means there are many compatible new parts on the market for vintage Fords. At Vintage Auto Garage, we stock a range of ignition, fuel, electrical, and accessory parts for the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Thunderbird. Our parts can help you get a project car running or give you options for upgrading with modern equipment for better performance.

What to Consider When Restoring a Vintage Corvette

The biggest challenge with restoring any C1 Corvette is the rarity. In comparison with other popular cars of the 1950s, including the Thunderbird, there are fewer old cars to pull parts from and less demand for replica parts. Finding what you need to get a barn find Corvette running or restore the body work to its original appearance can take several years.

Some parts overlap with other Chevy models of the time. The V8 engine in the 1956 and 1957 Corvette, for instance, was installed in other Chevys. The body design of the Corvette had many similarities year or year, so it can be possible to find parts from an earlier or later year if necessary.

Third party parts manufacturers like Vintage Auto Garage also produce aftermarket vintage car parts that fit classic Corvettes. These parts offer modern performance and reliability to complement the original power of the Corvette.

Comparing the Value Between the mid-1950s Corvette and Thunderbird

As restoration projects, show cars, and daily drivers, both the Corvette and Thunderbird can be perfect for the right person. Looks and performance in these early models is largely a matter of preference for which car you choose to restore or buy to drive. Alternatively, cost is a factor where these two classic cars differ significantly.

In terms of purchasing a project car, Corvette projects are going to have a higher price point. Lower production numbers means fewer Corvettes available now, and current prices are often between $10,000 and $20,000. Cars with excessive rust on the frame may be less, and rarer 1955 and 1957 COrvettes can be more.

Original buyers seemed to have held onto Ford Thunderbirds more than other cars of the time, and many of the original 50,000 produced between 1955 and 1957 are still in existence. You might find one ready for restoration for around $5,000 to $9,000.

The cost of restoration on a Corvette project or Thunderbird project will vary. A large number of available stock parts for T-Birds may save you on costs, but in general, the price will depend on how your specific car runs and looks, just as any car from this era does.

The rarity and initial higher cost of the Corvette means that a restored car will generally have a much higher value than the Ford T-Bird. Restored, Corvettes from these years are worth between $70,000 and $130,000. The quality of the restoration job and any unique features like a fuel injection engine from 1956 will put the car at the higher end of that range.

A 1955 Ford Thunderbird will currently go for between $20,000 and $50,000 dollars. Certain models like the 1957 with the F-Bird V8 engine can bring a higher price.

Find Your Classic Car Parts at Vintage Auto Garage

The first American sports cars have long been favorites among collectors and many classic car lovers have long dreamt about adding one to their garage. The cost and rarity of Corvettes and Thunderbirds from 1955, 1956, and 1957 make these projects advanced. They are both going to be an investment and, if you are handling the restoration yourself, a labor of love.

But the results for either car are rewarding, and that is why no car is a clear winner for the best vintage car to restore. It comes down to your preferences and budget.

Whatever car you are working on, including Chevy Corvettes and Ford Thunderbirds from other years, Vintage Auto Garage offers all of the parts you need at competitive prices. Our conversion kits for 6 volt cars make it possible to upgrade to a 12 volt system and add accessories for modern comfort like radios and air conditioners. We also sell electrical wiring, starters and solenoids, lighting, ignition coils, alternators, and so much more with many products compatible with 1950s Fords and 1950s Chevys.

Search our website for your car model and year to find all the compatible parts we offer, or call our team to find out more about specific automobiles and parts.