I bought a 1955 Thunderbird earlier this year that use to be a drag car in the 1950s and 1960s. It was parked sometime in the early 1970s and systematically dismantled for almost fifty years until I got my hands on it. I don't want to restore it as a drag car, but I don't want to ruin its racing history either. So, I've been looking for people who use to stock car race 1955 Thunderbirds. It was in the middle of one of these searches when I found this picture of Herschel Buchanan in his 1955 Thunderbird: I found his racing history at http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/racelist2.php?uniqid=1547. He came in first in well over half of the races where he ran this car. Apart from that, I have no information on this vehicle. I don't even know from what magazine this picture came. If anybody knows or has any information on this car, I would be greatly appreciative. Thank you.
I can't help you with any info on Buchanan's car, but in the stock picture thread there were some shots and some info on one that had been a Late Model that was built in the mid-60's, the guy's son even had a website devoted to his dad's cars but I think it is gone now.
Nice car!!! The 55-57 Bird always seemed to be waiting to be discovered by the competition crowd.. They look so cool with the competition look.... Those long front control arms look like they would make this car a real canyon carver with some work, that frame is massive for such a little car.... Its just such a badass looking little car..
@Scotch Buzzard King No help but you should also post it in this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/early-ford-thunderbirds.229429/ maybe someone there may know it.
Not a stock car, but a vintage racing bird. I believe Gary sold the car 10 or so years ago. IIRC, it had been rebuilt and raced after the 2004 season, and was in racing shape when he sold it. http://bigbucksracing-rodbean.com/ford-thunderbird.html
The stock axle on the 55 T-Bird is garbage. Dana 44 with 19 spline axles. Even the early 9 inch Fords as found on the 57 Thunderbird is junk. Everything is way too small for any type of real competition. The aftermarket stuff for both the Dana 44 and Ford 9 Inch is far better than the stock stuff.
Johnny Beauchamp and Tiny Lund were both NASCAR drivers in the early days. Johnny Beauchamp won the first Daytona 500 and almost won again against Lee Petty in 1959 at the brand new Daytona track. Tiny Lund won the 1963 Daytona 500 in Marvin Panch's car after Lund pulled Panch out of a burning Maserati that Panch was driving for Ford at the time. I bring these guys up because these guys are NASCAR legends. If Herschel Buchanan raced these guys and won against Johnny Beauchamp, Buchanan must have been one hell of a good driver. I found some more information on Nebraska Stock Car Racing here: http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2022/12/the-imca-stock-cars-at-nebraska-state.html
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