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The perfect hot rod is in the eye of the beholder. For some, it’s a souped up ’32 Deuce Coupe. For others, it’s a classic Tri-Five that they built from the ground up in their garage. For Louie Ortivez of Fort Collins, Colorado, the ultimate hot rod is his low-mileage 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Check out this amazing relic of times past below!
The first-year Ford Thunderbirds hit the market in mid 1954 as 1955 models. A direct response by Ford to Chevrolet’s newly released sports car, the Corvette, the T-Bird was marketed as more of a luxury vehicle and quickly became one of the most popular sports cars on the market.
Over the first year of the car being on the market, Ford sold over 16,000 T-Birds, a substantial amount, especially for a first-year vehicle that had another newly-released direct competitor on the market.
With a shortened Ford frame measuring just 102-inches and a standard 292 ci Y-block V8, as well as a faux hood scoop and a 150 mph speedometer, the T-bird was meant to evoke images of a more refined sports car. Not only was it built for performance, there was also an innate comfort level to the new Ford that certainly played into Ford’s luxury marketing approach.
With much success in their first year, the T-Bird was only slightly changed for the 1956 model year. The most noticeable change was where Ford moved the spare tire–placing it in a continental rear bumper rather than in the trunk. In 1957, the T-Bird saw another round of minor changes, but by 1958, the original “tiny T-bird” design had run its course and Ford completely remodeled the car to not only feature a new body design, but also an additional set of seats.
Though the T-Bird was manufactured in one form or another through 1997, and then again from 2002 to 2005 as a retro throwback model, nothing is quite as classic as the first-generation cars.
Ortivez’s T-Bird remains just as it was when it came off the Ford assembly line. It features its original Black paint scheme, red and white luxury interior, Ford badging and even its factory 292 ci V8, which still roars to life at the turn of a key with just 27,000 original miles on it.
Even more unique than the other original features are the specialty removable hardtop with the convertible top underneath and the very tires it rolled off the factory floor with, which still remain wrapped around the old Ford wire wheels.
Ortivez told us that he has owned the car for the good part of 12 or 14 years and takes it to a variety of local shows every year. And yes, he drives the car to and from every event.
As far as awards go, Ortivez told us he’s won an award at practically every show he’s ever taken the T-Bird to, and after one look at this awesome vintage ride, there should be no doubt in your mind why.
A truly wonderful family with an undeniable love for the automotive industry, we thank the Ortivezs for sharing their passion and automotive stories with us, especially when it comes to the ’55 T-Bird that means so much to the patriarch of the family!
To see more photos of Ortivez’s awesome T-Bird, check out Rod Authority’s gallery after the jump!
