Cars from the Ron Pratte Collection
Editor’s note: This is the 25th in a 30-day series featuring cars from the Ron Pratte Collection that will be sold this month at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction.
‘The rarest of ‘Birds,” this 1955 Ford Thunderbird VIN #0005 was used as the test vehicle when Sports Illustrated ran an article on October 4, 1954, titled “Testing the Thunderbird.”
Produced at the Michigan factory on September 9, 1954, Ford verified the status of this car in 1966 by designating it as the most valuable T-Bird in existence.
Capturing the attention of writers, collectors and car buffs throughout its existence, this car has been featured across magazines, television, museums and special events such as the 1984 Olympics. The Ford Motor Company took the car, usually in its private trailer, to various events such as their national conferences and car shows, including those at their headquarters in Dearborn.
This 1955 Ford Thunderbird VIN #0005 (Lot #2523) is scheduled to cross the auction block in Scottsdale on Saturday, January 17.
The Ron Pratte Collection will begin being auctioned at the 44th Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction with automobilia from Saturday, January 10 at 9 a.m. (MST) through Tuesday, January 13 at 1 p.m. Pratte’s vehicles first cross the block at 4 p.m. on Tuesday with lot numbers 2000 through 2109 and continue with lot numbers 2500 through 2530 Saturday, January 17.
