Vehicle Description
1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
Ad men from the 1950's described the car using such terms as "A
Mink Coat for Father" or "Light of Hand" (referring to the ease of
handling and steering) and "6AM Thunderbird Time" featuring a
pristine Suburban Upper Middle Class House, a jacket and tie
husband leaving for work, passing the milkman on the way out as the
family Irish setter watches his master leave for work.
Quintessential middle-class success, but they had to work for
it.
A pristine restoration example in black with a hardtop and a
porthole window within it. Much attention to detail has been paid
during this restoration, and it creates an excellent example of a
Ford classic.
Exterior
Step in for a closer look to find all the details firmly in place
and ready for show. At the front, a stainless egg-crate grille
rides between clean headlights, a delicate header emblem and a
sculpted bumper that bends around peaked fenders. Between those
fenders, a classy hood scoop leads the eye to a wraparound
windshield that's reflected by optional dual chrome mirrors,
cleared by satin-finished wipers, and framed by thick chrome trim.
When the weather stops being agreeable, a black cloth convertible
top comes to the rescue while complimenting the body color for a
striking look. There is also a matching black hardtop with this
one, allowing you to enjoy this classic bird year round. Below,
sculpted door handles and stainless-trimmed fender skirts perfectly
complement chrome fender louvers, small Ford emblems and glowing
"Thunderbird" scripts that sit to the front of fender vents. The
'57 had arguably the most memorable rear view of all the
Thunderbirds with finned quarters capped by pointed taillights
while exhaust routes through rectangular bumper cutouts. Below the
trunk lock, a final Thunderbird emblem completes the exterior.
Interior
Dramatic styling was king in the 1950s and it certainly didn't stop
on the outside. Between the doors of this Ford, a pleated flame red
vinyl interior offers seating for two with plenty of period-correct
charm. Nicely aged door sill plates clamp the corners of clean red
carpet. In the center, a chrome shifter extends through the floor,
free of any type of console. Seating is provided by a pleated flame
red bench seat which shows a little wear, and a large crack in the
center of the driver's side of the bench. At either side, matching
door panels are dressed with an attractive spin pattern aluminum
pieces as well bright window cranks and door pulls. The dash in its
padded glory, comes at you with its bulbous shape, and is covered
in crack free vinyl. The factory gauges monitor fuel, revs, speed,
temperature, and time from within a spin patterned aluminum bezel
that looks great amidst the red paint and wraps to match the doors.
Chrome pull knobs control accessories like lights and wipers while
the Town and Country radio provides all the entertainment needed.
In front of the driver, a bright red steering wheel extends
forward, offering control over the front wheels. A lift of the
decklid we find solid pans beneath a correct floor mat and full
size spare.
Drivetrain
Tilt the lightweight hood forward to find one of Ford's overhead
valve 312CI V8s. Over 16,000 Thunderbird buyers opted for this
configuration and for good reason: With a single Holley carburetor,
the setup was factory rated at 245hp and 332lb-ft of torque - just
25Hhp less than their more expensive dual quad kin. This mill
starts out with a correct 1957-exclusive ECZ-6015-C block dressed
in a coat of Ford Red which could be more accurately called
"orange". Factory heads topped with original valve cover stickered
"Thunderbird Special V8" frame a factory intake, while a matte
aluminum painted air cleaner assembly tops the Holley. This nicely
restored yet original mill his backed by the 3-speed Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission.
Undercarriage
The original X frame structure is strong and true, with little to
no surface rust. Some patina of surfaces is noted on this now
62-year-old cruiser. A few new parts put on recently such as shocks
and some suspension parts show newer but are functioning in
conjunction with the originals just fine.
This beautiful cruiser with hardtop and soft top shows well for its
age. A few faults certainly do not detract from its awesome 1957
design, a favorite among T-Bird collectors. If you are into having
a 1 car parade down Main Street when you go to pick up the dry
cleaning, then this very nice restoration deserves a close look.
Runs well, shifts smoothly, and can be used year-round, turning
heads full time.
VIN Decode
D7FH32349
D-312CUI V8
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
32349-Sequential Unit Number
Data Tag
BDY 40-Thunderbird
CLR AA-Black w/ Black Top
TRIM XH-Pleated Flame Red Vinyl
DATE 28F-June 28
TRANS 3-Ford O Matic
AXLE 1-3.10
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.