RK Motors Charlotte has become pretty notorious for its Pro Touring models, which are ultra-high-performance versions of classic muscle and sports cars. Not only are they extremely powerful, but RKM also has the restored to a condition that is better than the factory could have ever imagined. Just recently, RKM launched an all-new Pro Touring model in the form of the 1955 Ford Thunderbird Pro Touring.

After the Corvette->ke1280 was a smash hit, Ford->ke31 decided two years was a long enough wait to build its direct competitor to the Corvette, the Thunderbird. The T-bird and Corvette, however, went to completely different directions over the year. As expected, both vehicles became progressively larger through the `60s and `70s, but the T-bird->ke444 grew to proportions that no one expected by the time it hit the 1967 model year.

After 1997, Ford decided to axe this growing monster, but released it again in the 2002 model year with styling cues taken from its first generation model. The first generation was arguably the most beautiful for the T-bird and RKM’s model promises to not take away from its classical styling, but rather add to it with modern modifications.

Did RKM hold true to its promise not to completely hack up this first rendition of the T-bird, or did it make this beautiful car just a shell of its former self?

Click past the jump to read our full review and find out.

ford-thunderbird-pro-touring

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: ford-thunderbird-pro-touring
Pros
Cons

1955 Ford Thunderbird Pro Touring

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 1955 Ford Thunderbird Pro Touring
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 451
  • Torque: 417
  • Transmission: Five-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

RKM looked to Street Visions to custom build this T-bird. They began with an all-original, steel-bodied 1955 Thunderbird, not some cheap fiberglass replica like most pro touring T-birds are made from. The body was completely stripped of all defects and all of the body lines were carefully adjusted to assure a seamless finish. After making sure they had a perfectly clean and precise canvas to start painting, Street Visions laid a thick coat of DuPont Chroma Merlot Burgundy Metallic paint on the body. The paint came out just about as flawless and glass-like as possible.

While the front fascia resembles the standard T-bird, there was a significant amount of modification performed. One mod that may go unnoticed until nighttime is the fact that the old sealed-beam lights were eliminated and replaced with a halogen setup. Where the front turn signals were originally mounted there is now a pair of fog lights. In addition, the T-bird emblem was removed, exposing this bird’s sloped nose. The team also completely eliminated the large chrome bumper and replaced the traditional grille with a mesh one, giving the front end a smooth look.

The hood is 100 percent stock and features the standard hood scoop seen on any 1955 T-bird. Inside the scoop is the same mesh fabric used to make up the front grille. Another modification on the hood is a “Supercharged” emblem, which is a sign of what’s to come when we crack open the hood on this bird.

The `55 T-bird had vents on its front fenders from the factory, but the folks at Street Vision replaced the old factory chrome vents with the same mesh you see on the front grille and scoop. Just above the raised belt line a ghost flame starts from after the fender vent and runs all the way to almost the rear of the rear fender, which really gives this Thunderbird’s side profile a sharper look that the factory design. To add to its side profile, you also get am 17-inch TSW aluminum wheel.

The rear end of the `55 Pro Touring Thunderbird features chrome-trimmed LED taillights and a smoother trunk lid. The rear bumper was eliminated and replaced by a fully customized fascia. On each side of this fascia, Street Vision cutout holes for side-exit exhaust, making for a totally clean looking rear end.

There is not much more to say about the sleek exterior of this T-bird other than “Wow.” We aren’t too fond of them completely eliminating the factory bumpers, but the end result was not bad at all.

Interior

On the inside, Street Vision took the already sharp interior that the `55 T-bird had and just brought it up to the times. This all begins with a custom-built dashboard that does resemble the original. Right where the instrument cluster arch is on the `55 T-Bird is where Street Vision had an arch built to house the Dakota Digital LED gauge set. In front of the gauges is a Grant steering wheel with three chrome posts and a mahogany ring, matching the exterior almost perfectly.

The dashboard houses three chrome-trimmed vents that direct the cool air produced by the Vintage Air air-conditioning system. The center stack is very basic, but extremely modern, housing an AM/FM Kenwood radio with a CD/DVD player, LCD screen, SiriusXM radio, and MP3 playback capabilities. There is also a navigation system included with the stereo system and it boasts Bluetooth connectivity.

The center console boasts a chrome Hurst short shifter with a white knob, featuring a tan leather shift boot to match the entire interior. The entire center console is wrapped in tan leather, just like the seats. Speaking of the seats, these are not original. They were custom built for this T-bird, using all Toyota parts, but they are gorgeous nonetheless.

To add to its already modern feel, Street Vision even threw in a power window system to replace that ancient wind-up window system.

The interior, though not stock, is totally awesome. Street Vision took great care to custom fabricate this interior to make it look like it belongs in a `55 Thunderbird, but once it’s powered up you know it’s modern. Great job by these guys and gals.

Engine and Drivetrain

Under the factory hood there lays a beast that is anything but factory. This is a modular 4.6-liter V-8 engine that came from a Mustang Mach 1. Slapped on top of this already awesome engine is an Eaton supercharger usually only reserved for the Mustang Cobra, featuring an intercooler to keep that forced air nice and cold.

In order to make this modern-day V-8 work on this classic rod, a fuel injection wiring harness was custom fabricated by Detail Zone and an SCT chip with a Pro Dyno tune was tossed in. Bolted onto the engine are a cold air intake and a set of Sanderson block hugger headers, which help with clearance in the crowded engine bay, bolted to a set of true dual exhaust pipes. This cranks this 4.6-liter V-8 to an astonishing 451 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels. That’s right; none of this at the flywheel bull, these guys measured what’s hitting the concrete.

Behind this powerful V-8 engine is a Tremec 3650 five-speed manual transmission, which was also harvested from a Mach 1 Mustang. Street Vision shortened up the donor Mach 1’s driveshaft, rebalanced it, and connected it between the Tremec five-speed and the 8.8-inch rear axle. An extra shirt set of 3.27 gears are housed in this 8.8-inch rear end, which drops its acceleration time, but greatly increases its drivability at highway speeds, or slightly higher.

Suspension and Braking

There are loads of modifications done on the suspension of this `55 T-bird too. On the underside, you will find the suspension from a Mustang II. Yeah, that’s right, despite us detesting the Mustang II (AKA the Mustang Pinto) it was a very nice handling car in its era. The front and rear suspension both feature a sway bar, the rear being a 1-inch bar and the front being a massive 1.5 inches. The T-bird’s subframe is a custom Fat Man setup, making the front end more rigid and a boxed “X” member connect the two rear frame rails, giving it greater strength. Wrapped around the aftermarket 17-inch wheels are a set of 245/40ZR17 BF Goodrich G-Force T/A Radials, which are good for plenty of stickiness.

The front brakes on this Pro Touring T-bird are 11.5-inch Brake Tech discs squeezed by heavy-duty calipers fed via braided brake lines. The rear brakes are 10-inch discs from a Mustang Cobra. The brake system’s heart is the donor Mach 1’s Hydraboost braking system.

We absolutely love the fact that Street Vision didn’t just load this T-bird up with power and some cool tech features, but also modded the frame and suspension to handle all of that extra muscle. We bet this beast handles like a modern-day sports car, despite the relatively outdated rear leaf spring suspension.

Pricing

Now onto the fun part, how much does it cost? First, let’s examine the actual worth of a `55 Thunderbird. Despite its beauty, it only has a worth of about $53,000 in mint condition, per NADA. However, this is not your typical mint condition T-bird, it’s fully customized and ready to kick ass. Though the $109,900 price tag attached to this custom bird may seem high, we think it is just right for this classic one-off model.

Competition

This is like the entry level market of RKM’s Pro Touring series of cars, so there really isn’t much competition. The Pro Touring Sting Ray `Vette comes close, but it is in a different class of vehicles. This puts this T-bird in its own little class all by itself.

Conclusion

We absolutely love this car. Yeah, we usually hate when custom car companies start modifying classics for the modern era, but when they are done right, we love `em. And this 1955 Thunderbird Pro Touring is done to absolute perfection!

If you can afford to fork out the $110K to buy it, we say to snag this one up and sit on it for a few years. In 10 to 20 years, you will likely double your money on this, as not only is it beautifully restored, but perfectly modified to modern standards without taking away from its original beauty.