When Chevrolet came out with the Corvette in 1953, they were just begging for competition. Answering that call, Ford came out with the Thunderbird in 1955, but instead of the “youthful” demographic that the Corvette was marketed too, the T-Bird was advertised as more of a personal luxury car – one that could be enjoyed by the executive type. But the ‘55 T-Bird on the latest Big Muscle Episode is anything but a stuck up two-seater like Ford initially had in mind. Check it out in the video above to find out why.

A part of owner Leni Faas’ family since it was brand new, this ‘55 T-Bird has seen a lot of changes over the course of the last fifty-seven years.

Originally prepared for the Mexican Road Race, this particular car went on to receive a 428ci Ford big-block with the capability of producing 425hp. But that’s not the only thing that sets this T-Bird apart.

Just by looking at the car, you’ll notice a lot of adjustments to the exterior. That’s because back in 1968, the car received a makeover where the top was discarded, windshield line was chopped 4 inches, the car was lowered to have just a 2-inch ground clearance and everything from fenders to doors was smoothed and rolled. While this may sound like a lot of work for an old T-Bird, the car turned out beautifully and completely captures the full appeal with the big-block under the hood and a distinct rumble as it tears down the street.

However, this ‘bird is certainly not your traditional hot rod or even custom build for that matter. The uniqueness and customization of this T-Bird set it apart from other two-seaters of its generation and most other customs built. Whether you’re looking for one of a kind style or boisterous performance, this unique car has it all. Now if only the factory would have made them this way, we’d probably consider adding more of them to our magazine!