The final year of the "Baby Bird" came about in 1957, and with it
the most refined attributes. Styling of late-1950's cars had
reached a peak and nearly all manufacturers were sporting fins, an
art deco design, and, of course, enough chrome to sink a ship! 1957
would mark the final year of the famous 2-seater roadster for the
next 45 years! They are highly prized in collections around the
world for their eye catching looks!
Details About Our 1957 Thunderbird For Sale:
This beautiful 1957 Ford Thunderbird is finished in code-correct
FE- Starmist Blue with Colonial White & Starmist Blue pleated vinyl
interior. Powered by the reliable 312ci 4bbl V8 and Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission, it offers an eager 245 total horsepower!
This classic Thunderbird is optioned with Master-Guide power
steering, telescopic steering column, Swift-Sure power brakes,
power windows, upgraded AM/FM/Cassette radio in stock location,
heater/defrost, aftermarket air conditioning, See-Clear windshield
washer, matching Starmist Blue porthole hardtop (originally
Colonial White), an aftermarket accessory white vinyl soft top, and
back-up lights. Additional options continue with complete with
fender skirts, 14x5" Kelsey Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels with
Coker Classic radial whitewall tires, and polished engine dress-up
kit. We are proud to offer for sale a Thunderbird that is as
wonderful to admire as it is to drive!
This classic received a very impressive restoration with the former
owners of 27 years. They purchased this rust-free T-Bird from Texas
Thunderbird expert Amos Minter after he found it New Mexico in
April 1994. They proceeded to have him complete a full mechanical
overhaul of both the drivetrain and driveline. After cleaning and
degreasing the block, machining work included .030 over bore, new
pistons, wrist pin bushings and piston rings, freeze plugs, new
camshaft, turned crank .010-.010, cam & rod bearings, main
bearings, full valve job, all new gaskets, rear main seal, new fuel
pump, oil pump & drive, spin-on oil filter adapter, rebuilt water
pump, new hoses, timing gear set, rebuilt generator & starter, all
new engine wire looms, belts, spark plugs & wires, upgraded
electronic ignition, all fluids, and far too many other small parts
to list here. The automatic transmission would be completely
rebuilt in the process.
The entire front and rear suspensions were removed, cleaned,
detailed & reassembled with new control arm bushings, shocks,
springs, ball joints, stabilizer rod bushings, along with all new
brake components and new stainless steel fuel tank installed. This
service was completed to ensure this lovely Thunderbird would
provide years of faithful service to its new female owner as a gift
from her husband. The cost in 1994 to complete this major overhaul
totaled over $8,500, equal to about $15,000 in today's dollars.
It would be enjoyed in their northern Illinois area for the next 27
years with annual maintenance taken care of during the short
driving season. The aging exterior paint finish was addressed in
February 2001 to bring it back to show worthy presentation again.
The entire car would be completely stripped to bare metal, allowing
all body surfaces to be smoothed straight, primered multiple times
& block sanded to perfection before being painted in base coat,
clearcoat fashion.The finished results were completed 10 months
later in early 2002.
Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it received new front &
rear brake cylinders, with a bleed and adjustment to the braking
system, repacked wheel bearings, lubed chassis, new intake
manifolds gaskets, complete air conditioning service with new R134a
service ports and charged up for summer use, new air filter, new
fuel filter, fresh engine oil/filter, cleaning of the carb, new
spark plugs, and new power window switches.
It is wonderfully detailed throughout the engine bay all the way to
the trunk with proper matting and presentation of the spare tire,
jack, and tools. The interior seat upholstery was replaced at some
point in the past while the exterior chrome and work are all in
good, original condition making this a wonderful investment to show
proudly and enjoy for weekend cruising! It will come with an
owner's manual, mechanical restoration receipts, and
photo-documented paint receipt included with the sale. They show a
terrific, rust-free body in the images to begin with. Overall, this
beautiful classic Thunderbird continues to show quite well
considering the age of the restoration. To learn more about our
available 1957 Thunderbird contact Jon Faust at (314)993-1330 or by
emailing
[email protected].