First ever 1955 Ford Thunderbird to be sold at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale

Ford Motor Company's first-ever production Thunderbird model, a 1955 Raven Black example, will go on the auction block at the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event in Scottsdale, Arizona held January 11-19, 2009.

Penned by the Blue Oval's famous Frank Hershey, the original Thunderbird is said to have started the brand's sports-car heritage. T-Birds were initially available with a 292 Y-block V-8 engine mated to a Fordomatic transmission. The first edition being sold was built on September 9, 1954, and comes standard with power steering, brakes, windows, and seats, as well as five Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, factory radio, heater, and telescopic steering wheel. To boot, the car features a Continental Kit, engine dress-up kit, backup lights, and windshield washer.