Vehicle Description
1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
The first-generation of Ford's Thunderbird were produced for the
1955 through 1957 model years and the two-seater convertible was
the first two-seat car from Ford since 1938. Thunderbird was
created as competition to Chevrolet's Corvette model, which was
created in response to the rising popularity of European sports
cars in the U.S. In the end they went their separate ways each
gaining fame in their own ways.
For consignment this ultimate suburban boulevard cruiser and get
away from the kids adult middle class toy. This one comes with a
hardtop with a porthole and all that 1957 styling that has now had
this car come into its own. Larger fins and taillights, a new front
grille, and a sporty 312ci V8. A classy, well restored two-seater
meant for mom and dad that could give them some excitement without
all that scary horsepower.
Exterior
A chromed egg crate grille combines with a wide front bumper that
has a dip down to reveal the smile of the egg crate that sports
dual mini chromed "Dagmars" which swoop upward and curve around the
front quarters. A visored single round headlight flanks the scooped
hood which is long and luscious and bathed in Flame Red. On the
front quarter panels a beautiful gleaming Thunderbird badge written
in your grandmother's handwriting and a series of vertical chromed
ribs which emulate venting. Just below and before the doors is an
actual vent that can be operated open and closed to add some
airflow to the passengers. Snazzy doors with shiny chrome handles
and covered keyhole locks have the beginnings of a fin just above
the door handle, which continues and grows as it streaks rearward
to the back quarter panel. These panels are fixed with fender
skirts that utilize a chrome trimming on their lowers and frame a
wide white in each side of the rear of the car. On back are the
round jet engine styled taillights and thruster bezels within them
which are topped by an angled outward fin on top. Below is a large
rear bumper with protruding rectangles that house the hidden
exhaust. No dings or rust on this bumper even signs of the exhaust
are not there, it is that well preserved and shined. The body
panels are all excellent, with no rust, near perfect gaps, save for
the passenger's side door, and all bathed in Flame Red. A lot of
orange peel and fading of the paint is noted in several areas. A
white hardtop complete with a porthole window on the B pillar is
attached. Noted, this car does not have the convertible top
installed. As per factory codes, it would have been in white
canvas. All trimmings and window surrounds are beautifully chromed
nice and mirror-like. Turbine styled wheel covers with a central
spun rounded spike, cover thin whitewall tires all around.
Interior
Inside a band of aluminum trim jets from the rear top of the door
panel where it thins to meet a strip which will run the length of
the dash in the very center. Above there is a ribbed padded deep
red dash top, and below a rounded metal bullnose which is painted
Flame Red like the exterior. A single arch is in front of the
original round red painted and chromed steering wheel and column,
and this area houses circular gauges. Continuing across in the mid
machined aluminum strip we see a few knobs, a new vintage looking
radio, and temp/fan controls. Down below is a nice deep red carpet
showing nicely, and all well preserved. Floating in this sea of red
are 2 white vinyl low back buckets from an early Mustang neatly
tucked into the 2 passenger compartment. Seats are in in good
condition. A center red plastic and machined swirl panel console,
courtesy of a Ford Galaxie is sitting over the hump. It houses the
chromed gearshift and a red flat area in back to rest your right
arm if you are the driver. The doors utilize shiny smooth red vinyl
and cranks for the windows. Inserted within these doors is more
machined aluminum swirl pattern for some highlighting. A shout out
to the trunk which has the checkered vinyl liner and original spare
tire with the factory coding printed on it.
Drivetrain
A forward flip of the scooped hood, and we are met with a restored
but showing patina engine bay and a V8. This 312ci engine has a red
painted block, with shiny chrome valve covers, and a shiny round
plate style air cleaner cover on top. Under this cleaner is a
4-barrel carburetor, and on back is a Ford-O-Matic automatic
3-speed transmission. A Ford 9-inch 3.10 gear rear axle is on.
Undercarriage
Looking underneath and it is an environment of black undercoating
with some road dirt on top. An X frame is solid as are the rockers
and body hangers. The rearmost part of the frame seems to have some
invasive rust and may need further investigation as to the exact
extent of said rust, but it is a small area that is being affected.
Independent coil springs in front and leaf springs for the back and
drum brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
After a squeeze behind the oversized original wheel, she fired
right up, and idled smoothly, definitely passing the silver dollar
test on the air cleaner cover. Off I went, with good acceleration,
sporty handling, smooth braking, and a low rpm cruise speed. With
the hardtop, the exterior noise was very minimal. All functions
were in working order. Noted there is an uninstalled original
clock, the bench seat, and a tonneau cover.
If you are in the market for a classy boulevard cruiser, a mink
coat for father as the ads of the day portrayed, then leave behind
the kids, and go for a cruise, or just create a one car parade on
your main street, with Flame Red and chromed sculpted rust free
steel. Overall excellent condition, and it feels like you are right
back in the Ford showroom, all giddy with excitement, getting ready
to write the check!
VIN DECODE
D7FH274817
D-312ci V8 4bbl 245hp
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
274817-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR VE-Flame Red, Colonial White
TRIM XH-Flame Red
DATE 25D-April 25th Build
TRANS 3-3 Speed Ford-O-Matic
AXLE 1-3.10 Gears Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.
