Saleofcar.com :Other

Other Makes CONVERTIBLE THUNDERBIRD (1955)
for sale

Price: US $4,500.00

Description:

THUNDERBIRD JUNIOR POWERCAR COMPANY MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT
I decided to list this car a little differently as I'll let the many pictures from this company speak for themselves. In short, the Thunderbird Jr's manufactured in Mystic, Connecticut were the most expensive kiddie cars in American history, costing 1/3 as much as a brand new Ford Thunderbird in the mid 1950's, also, these amazingly high quality cars were endorsed and Ford Motor Company had their designers sculpt the bodies in clay for reproduction in fiberglass.
If you are a true collector car enthusiast and you go to car shows and you have kids, you know what to do!!! This car has always been stored indoors and never abused and you should have no problem getting this car running. It has always been a static display in a very large car collection.
YOU WON'T FIND A CLEANER, UNRESTORED ORIGINAL THUNDERBIRD JR!
$4500 obo
Different Sizes Available
While the most known size of Powercar Thunderbird was a 1/3 scale rendition they also made a 1/4 scale in some years. I have seen pictures of a 1956 version that was a pedal car instead of battery powered. I have also found information and images on 1958-60 1/4 scale cars that were made as a less expensive offering by the company. A 1960 Plymouth Fury JR was also made in 1/4 scale but it is the only other example of that scale that I have been able to find anything on thus far. The demensions for the 1960 1/4 scale were as follows I would imagine the 58-59 were the same size 51 1/2 long, 17 tall, 24 3/4 wide, and weight without battery was 80 pounds.
I would imagine that one of their best customers would have been the Shriners but most of the information I have been finding is they were used in a lot of other promotions. They were given away in drawings at Ford dealerships Coca-Cola, Pepsi and tide and even at Laundromats and dairies. In 1960 Turkish taffy offered the winner of their jingle contest choice of a 1960 Thunderbird or Plymouth Fury JR. They advertised the competition in Atomic Mouse cartoons. Lee Iacocca's daughter is pictured in a 1963 Thunderbird JR in a 1964 issue of time magazine. They were also available through the F.A.O. Swartz catalog.
The statement they used on the brochures says it best!
Thunderbird Jr. cars have been made continuously since 1954 (with the cooperation of the ford motor company) you will not see a Thunderbird Jr. in every yard...because their cost has kept them out of the volume market...However, if you know where to look, you can find them scattered over the globe in the most interesting places: in secluded country estates, in mansions of heads of state, on the Riviera, in the palaces of dictators, middle eastern and oriental princes. They are bringing pleasure and fun to the families of presidents, movie stars, magnates, potentates... and to a lot of ordinary people too, who have won them in promotional contests or as incentives. In fact, it is thanks to smart sales promotion programs that many other people are enjoying them
end quote from 1964 sales brochure
Since I started collecting information on these cars many years ago I have been lucky to talk to a number of Ex-employees of the Powercar company. Anywhere from the son of the secretary that swept up on weekends to the Production manager and his son who worked as a test driver in the early years. I also had the pleasure to talk to George Ford that ran the company back in 1994 before he passed away. More and more information continues to come out of the woodwork about these cars and the Internet has helped to gather additional information.
Lot 2051955 Ford Thunderbird Jr. Child's CarChassis no. 319Sold for $4, 600Specifications: Fiberglass single-passenger child’s car powered by electric motor. Wheelbase: 35
The Powercar Company of Mystic, Connecticut, produced a variety of fiberglass-bodied children’s cars from 1954 to 1967. These came in a variety of models, including Plymouth, Mercury and the Ford Mustang. Most popular and built in the greatest numbers was the Thunderbird Jr., produced from 1955 to 1966. A one-third scale body on a steel chassis, it was built under Ford Motor Company license and with Ford assistance, and was propelled by a six-volt starter motor. Reverse was provided by reversing the battery polarity, and headlights and taillights were functional. In 1957, a gasoline-powered model became available. About 5, 000 Thunderbird Jrs. were built, the majority of them by 1957.
This Thunderbird Jr. is from the early part of the 1955 production run. It has been repainted, its original trim decals preserved by carefully painting around them. There are some dings and scratches in the paint, but the car presents a good overall appearance. It rides on 10x2-inch solid rubber tires, and has belt-and-chain drive from motor to rear axle. It is 66 inches in overall length, 31 inches wide and 17 inches high, excluding the steering wheel, which extends above the top of the body. Its top speed of five mph is exhilarating in a car this size, providing fun for children and adults alike.
Estimate:
$3, 000 – $6, 000
Offered without reserve
View our Dealer Page on Hemmings - Click Here
_{update: 2016-03-16}