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  • Workers guide a 1955 Ford Thunderbird body above its chassis and engine on an assembly line.
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Commercial licensing & archive information

We represent the Ford Motor Company and Shelby American archives. For commercial image use, contact us about licensing. Images owned by The Henry Ford are available separately through the Benson Ford Research Center.

Original Ford brochures & specifications

Explore the original factory literature for this model. Complete PDFs are free to read or download; no checkout is required.

Model-range reference: match the body style and production period. A brochure does not establish the equipment fitted to the photographed car.

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FORD IMAGES

1955 Ford Thunderbird — Dearborn — Body Drop on the Assembly Line — 0400-9259

1955 Ford Thunderbird — Dearborn — Body Drop on the Assembly Line — 0400-9259

Archive SKU: 0400-9259

0400-9259 -

$159.00 USD
$159.00 USD
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Workers guide a 1955 Ford Thunderbird body above its chassis and engine on an assembly line.

About This Image

Workers guide a 1955 Ford Thunderbird body above its chassis and engine on an assembly line. The black-and-white photograph records the suspended body, lifting equipment and surrounding factory floor.

1955 Thunderbird factory specifications and equipment

These original Ford specifications describe the U.S. production model range. They do not establish the engine, transmission or optional equipment fitted to the photographed car.

Engine displacement
The production Thunderbird ECJ V-8 is identified as 292 cubic inches. This is a model-range specification; it does not identify the engine installed in the pictured car.Sources: B: PDF 2 (printed 2); C: PDF 43 (printed 41); D: printed page 54.
Dual exhaust
Dual exhaust was listed for the Thunderbird; the shop manual explicitly identifies it as standard equipment.Sources: A: PDF 3,6; B: PDF 6 (6); C: PDF 57 (55).
Conventional manual transmission
A conventional manual transmission was offered. This listing does not identify the transmission fitted to the pictured car.Sources: A: PDF 3,6; B: PDF 1 (1); C: PDF 14 (12).
Overdrive option
Overdrive was offered as a transmission option.Sources: A: PDF 3,6; B: PDF 1 (1); C: PDF 14 (12).
Fordomatic option
Fordomatic automatic transmission was offered as an option.Sources: A: PDF 3,6; B: PDF 1 (1); C: PDF 14 (12).
Manual/overdrive compression
The retail folder gives an 8.1:1 compression ratio with conventional transmission or overdrive. AMA identifies the standard head at 8.1:1; the shop manual gives the same Thunderbird ECJ application.Sources: A2: PDF 4; B: PDF 2 (2); C: PDF 43 (41).
Fordomatic compression
The retail folder gives an 8.5:1 compression ratio with Fordomatic. AMA identifies the optional head at 8.5:1 and footnotes Fordomatic; the shop manual specifies 8.5:1 for the Fordomatic ECJ engine.Sources: A2: PDF 4; B: PDF 2 (2); C: PDF 43 (41).
Advertised power: conventional transmission and overdrive
Ford advertised 193 hp with conventional transmission or overdrive. These are period advertised engine ratings; they do not describe measured power at the wheels.Sources: A2: PDF 4; B: PDF 2 (printed 2); D: printed page 54.
Advertised power: Fordomatic
Ford advertised 198 hp with Fordomatic. The transmission qualification is retained with the rating.Sources: A2: PDF 4; B: PDF 2 (printed 2); D: printed page 54.

1955 Ford Thunderbird factory reference includes the original sources, exact page citations and publication notes.

Read the complete 1955 Ford Thunderbird brochure

© The Henry Ford Museums, courtesy The Ford Motor Company, rights managed by Benson Ford Research Center.

About the Archive

This archival photograph is made available through Fordimages.com. Each image is digitally restored before printing and handcrafted to order.

Available as:

  • Framed Print — museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, hanging hardware included
  • Stretched Canvas — hand-stretched over 1.25-inch pine bars, heavy cotton poly matte finish
  • ChromaLuxe Metal Print — image infused directly onto sheets of alloy metal for maximum vibrancy and durability
  • Giclée Art Print — 260gsm satin finish paper, finest archival inks, white border

Made in the USA or Europe depending on your location.

About the Artwork

Artwork in this collection comes from the Ford Motor Company Archives, The Henry Ford Museum, the Carroll Shelby Archives, and the collections of acclaimed photographers and painters from around the world. Reproduction rights are reserved by the respective copyright owners.

Framed Print

Our framed prints feature a black, hand-stained solid wood frame with a white mat, museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, and hanging hardware. The frame features a slim 0.8-inch face and projects 1.3 inches from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary shadow-box effect. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Stretched Canvas

Our stretched canvas prints are produced on acid-free, pH-neutral, and fade-resistant canvas. Each canvas is hand-glued to solid wood stretcher bars and stretched over 1.25-inch-thick pine bars. Mounting brackets are included. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Giclée Art Print

Our Giclée prints are produced using premium 200gsm semi-gloss paper and high-quality archival inks. Each print includes a white border around the perimeter.

For the 40 x 60 size, we use 250gsm museum-quality archival paper with an off-white, uncoated finish.

The listed size refers to the overall paper dimensions. The image is printed proportionally within the selected paper size. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

ChromaLuxe

ChromaLuxe prints use a state-of-the-art coating process that infuses the image directly onto sheets of alloy metal. The result is photography with an exceptional combination of vibrancy, clarity, and durability.

Each print arrives ready to hang. An alloy subframe on the back allows the artwork to float away from the wall for a sleek, modern appearance. This is the finest-quality print we offer. Made in the USA.

Shipping and Production

All images are digitally restored before printing. Production location varies by product and destination. Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Who Is This Print For?

Ideal for Ford collectors, Mustang and GT40 enthusiasts, motorsport historians, restoration shops, offices, garages and dealership showrooms. As vintage Ford wall art, Ford racing wall art, or part of a Ford wall decor programme, each image suits a home office, study, living space, museum display or commercial interior. Choose framed print, stretched canvas, ChromaLuxe metal or Giclee art print formats.