Beach Hop Live Auction

Welcome to the Beach Hop Live Auction 2026.
This vehicle will be auctioned live at the Beach Hop, Whangamata, on Saturday 28 March 2026 at 5:00pm.
For questions, bidding registration (in person, online, or phone), pre-purchase inspections or additional history, photos and videos please visit the Sunday Drive website auctions page or ask a question here.
Reserve price is significantly lower than the listed price
Price guide $60,000 - $80,000

Hollywood Glamour, V8 Power, and Iconic 1950s Style

Few cars capture the spirit of 1950s America quite like the original 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Finished in timeless Colonial White with a striking black and white interior, this first-year Thunderbird delivers pure Hollywood glamour blended with effortless cruising appeal. Designed as a personal luxury car rather than a sports car, the Thunderbird was Fords answer to style, sophistication, and individuality and it succeeded instantly.

With its removable hardtop, long bonnet, subtle tailfins, and elegant chrome accents, the Thunderbird exudes star-quality presence from every angle. Whether enjoyed open to the sun or with the top in place, it offers a refined yet relaxed driving experience that made it a favourite of celebrities and tastemakers of the era.

Under the bonnet sits a smooth and charismatic V8 engine, delivering the kind of effortless torque and soundtrack that defines classic American motoring. Built for comfortable, confident cruising, the Thunderbird balances performance with poise, making it as enjoyable on modern roads as it was on the boulevards of the 1950s.

An enduring symbol of mid-century Americana, this 1955 Ford Thunderbird is a true design icon elegant, glamorous, and instantly recognisable. Set to cross the auction block at Beach Hop, it represents a standout opportunity to acquire one of the most celebrated and stylish classics of all time.