The 50th birthday party has begun for Ford Thunderbird. The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a stamp featuring the 1955 Thunderbird. The wraps came off the Thunderbird commemorative stamp at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The stamp is one of five saluting sporty cars of the 1950s.

It started at half a century ago at Detroit's first post-war auto show. Since then, the flight of the Thunderbird has included sporty two-seaters, convertibles and four-door models, as well as hardtops and sedans - more than 1.2 million in total. Over the years, the Thunderbird has sported the "square" look, the "projectile" look, the jet aircraft look and the luxury look. Yet, through the years and through many changes, Thunderbird's original uniqueness and individuality managed to etch itself permanently into the hearts and memories of the American motoring public. The current version continues to be successful in its mission: it has drawn more new customers to Ford and has higher customer satisfaction than any other Ford vehicle.

The other sporty cars of the 1950s being honored with a commemorative stamp are a 1954 Kaiser Darrin, a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1952 Nash Healey and a 1953 Studebaker Starlight.

The Thunderbird stamp was illustrated by Art Fitzpatrick. Art Fitzpatrick has had a long and colorful history working in automotive advertising over the course of almost three decades. The sporty cars of the 1950s stamps will go on sale next summer at post offices nationwide or online at www.usps.com.