When going about building any hot rod there are several approaches that one can take. The result can be based on a performance (engine and trans combo), look, the stance (rake, lowered, or gasser style), or the color. All of us spend hours trying to decide and possibly even change our minds often on what the color should be, but the final color is critical to pulling off the look you want your ride to give when it is all done. There are some staple colors that just “scream” hot rod, such as Arrest Me Red or a deep black—like a mirror image black.

T-birds back in the day had the usual colors, like red, black, and white, but Ford was likewise known at that time to have pastel colors. It was a colorful era for sure. In selecting a color for this ’Bird a trip to the local big-box store was in line. After going through the home paint colors, four colors—all coral hues—were selected. Dave felt that the coral color would give the T-bird the correct look and be reminiscent of the past. Afterward, Dave passed the four colors by Rick, his wife, and daughter and then received the go-ahead to mix up the custom Glasurit Coral color. From here Brian Diveley managed the bodywork and the final spray of the chosen hue. For the most part the body is a stock ’55 Thunderbird but there are a few alterations. For instance, Dave then removed the rear fender skirt and made a template of the front wheel opening and transferred its shape to the rear. The goal was to increase the opening to show off the rear 20×10 Raceline custom wheels. Additionally required in back were the mini-tubs that were added to provide the necessary room for the large wheel and tire combo with 295 Toyo Proxes rears with 235s in front. The centerline of the front axle was correspondingly moved forward slightly to give the ’Bird a longer appearance. The wheels were patterned after the factory hubcap look but are in a two-piece aluminum wheel. The factory side vents are from an ’02 Thunderbird that rest inside custom bezels that Dave crafted to give a more sleek side appearance. More of Dave’s handiwork comes in the form of the grille and hood scoop. The hood scoop was raised about 1-1/4 inches and stretched to clear the Imagine Injection eight-stack EFI. More sheetmetal and trim touches include the front and rear bumpers that were flipped, narrowed, and smoothed. The stock headlight bezels were set aside and Dave made custom bezels with filled seams that are more compact than the factory ones. Likewise note that the factory running/turn signal lights were moreover removed. The factory gas filler door was smoothed over and then relocated behind the license plate. More subtle touches include the factory taillight lens set aside and custom bezels that allow for flush lenses with a chrome trim ring.

Inside the bold choice of a white interior stands out but one should look closely and you will see a ’60 Chevy Impala gauge panel filled with AutoMeter instruments. The dash is additionally a combination of paint and upholstery work by Auto Additions. They similarly handled the stitching over the Mustang bucket seats and the coral carpeting. More interior appointments include the CPP chrome steering column with a smaller-diameter version of the original factory Thunderbird wheel. More accessories include the Vintage Air A/C system with its control panel located within the custom center console. Likewise, the console houses the Lokar automatic shifter with Lokar billet shift boot ring and integral vertical gear selector indicator. Power window actuators are correspondingly mounted into the center console. Bringing all the electrics together is an American Autowire system neatly positioned by Dave.

There is one modification that’s sure to get everyone’s attention—and some will protest. The original 292-inch Y-block was pulled and, in its place, a late-model Chevy 6.2L LS was mounted. While there is plenty that can be done with the original Y-block there is no mistaking that the Bowtie LS is a failsafe powerplant that can make copious amounts of reliable power. At first glance the original 292 is paid homage through the good-looking script Thunderbird valve covers adapted to the LS via Delmo’s Speed Shop adapters. The internals of the LS are stock, but the all-aluminum V-8 does sport Imagine Injection’s very-impressive-looking eight-stack injectors reminiscent of the old vintage downdrafts from the bygone sporty car era. The ECU comes by way of a FAST EZ-EFI 2.0, and the “fire” goes through the vintage-looking plug wires, another Delmo’s product. The serpentine belt system comes from Holley and an electric fan with a custom shroud all works on the cooling tasks. The expended gases run though the ceramic-coated Hooker as-cast iron headers united with a MagnaFlow tubing kit to make the exhaust system. From here the tubing eventually runs through a pair of MagnaFlow canister-style mufflers. Hooked up to the V-8 is a 4L60E with a TCI controller that links to the LS.

The chassis is based on a Ford Thunderbird frame that is modified while at Timm Built Customs who then modified the front crossmember for the Heidts IFS and spindles. In back a Heidts triangulated four-link is used with the Moser narrowed 9-inch rearend that’s equipped with Moser ring-and-pinion and axles. At the corners you will see Heidts coilover shocks and Heidts 11-inch rotors and calipers along with the Raceline one-off billet wheels.

The ’55-57 “small” ’Birds aren’t the most popular but when you see one done “right” it is a great-looking hot rod. Such is the case for this ’55 sporting an unusual but winning powertrain.