Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely beautifully
restored and therefore show ready example of this 1957 Ford
Thunderbird 312/270HP V8 Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors factory 'E'code
Convertible with a rare and very striking date correct 'Inca Gold'
color repaint and it's original 'Black amp; White Vinyl' color
interior and trim and with factory hard top and loaded with
desirable factory specifications and options including;Ford-o-matic
automatic transmission ($257),Power brakes Power steering Engine
dress kit,Magic air heater and defrosterOriginal Town amp; Country
radio ($100)Electric clock ($15),4-Way power seat ($65)Full wheel
covers,White sidewall tires ($30),Rear fender skirts,Dual
horns,Dual exhausts,Removable Fiberglass Hardtop,Safety beltsand
it's original 312/270HP 2x4 BBL 'E' Code V8 engine!Of the 21,380
Thunderbirds built for the 1957 model year, only 1,499 were the
fabulous E-Code Thunderbirds. The E-Code examples were equipped
with a 312/270 HP V-8 engine fed by two 4-barrel carburetors.
Though inspired and initially positioned directly against the
Corvette, Ford billed the Thunderbird as a personal luxury vehicle,
with a greater emphasis on comfort and convenience rather than only
sportiness. Designations aside the Thunderbird sold exceptionally
well in its first year (1955) actually outselling the Corvette
23-1! With its enormous success Ford made few changes for 1956
except for the notable movement of the spare wheel to the
Continental style rear bumper position in order to make more room
in the trunk. Also an optional porthole in the removable roof was
offered. The spare was moved back to the trunk in 1957 due to the
heavier weight at the rear causing some steering issues. The 1956
312 Y block V8 made 215 HP when mated to a 3 speed manual
transmission or 225HP when mated to the Ford-O-Matic 2 speed
automatic transmission.The Thunderbird was revised for 1957 with a
reshaped front bumper, a larger grille and tailfins and larger tail
lamps. The 312 c.i. V8 became the Thunderbird's standard engine and
now produced 245HP. Two other even more powerful versions of the
312 c.i. were also added to the production line, although in very
limited numbers. That included the 'E' code model with two four
barrel Holley carburetors delivering some 270HP and the 'F' code
model with with a Paxton supercharger delivering 300HP. Even though
Ford had record breaking sales again in 1957 the companies
executives felt they could do even better with a 4 seater version
and under Robert McNamara initiated a substantial and larger
redesign of the car for 1958. This particular car was acquired by
its previous owner, a renown collector and it joined his renown
collection in 2009 having now had only three owners since new, and
has since received any further restoration work required of it
whilst in the collection with no expense spared as documented by
its thick file of service records and was the recipient of a "Best
in Class" award at the 2009 Florida Southwest Region AACA meet. It
has very desirable upgraded options of power steering and power
brake kits installed along with new brakes lines to master
cylinder, replace dual master cylinder, new rear wheel cylinders,
replaced water pump, replace all fuel lines, replace ignition
wiring at coil and resistor, replaced all intake gaskets, etc. The
car has been expertly refurbished as required and when necessary to
an exacting standard and with wonderful attention to detail. Recent
work also includes a front end rebuild, fuel system overhaul and a
newly installed exhaust system.As previously stated as a testimony
to its highly impressive cosmetic and mechanical condition this 'E'
series Thunderbird was awarded "Best in Class" at the 2009 Florida
Southwest Region AACA meet and the car has been stored in a climate
controlled facility since the meet and is in virtually exactly the
same condition throughout. The car will be sold with its thick file
of service records documenting the work which was completed with
absolutely no expense spared at the renown marque specialists
'Prestige Thunderbird' of Santa Fe Springs, CA and others. The
floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are
completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any
accidents - obviously a garaged and cherished car both before and
since the restoration work.The car has an extraordinarily striking
appearance in its 'Inca Gold' color matched to a quite stunning
'Black amp; White' color vinyl interior with a bench seat,
automatic interior courtesy lighting, rayon loop carpeting,
half-circle steering wheel horn ring, winged 'Thunderbird' front
end emblem, stainless steel window surround moldings, dual horns,
dual exhaust, rear fender skirts, 4 way power seat, a full and
fitted tonneau cover, telescopic steering column, Dayton chrome
wire wheels and iconic removable porthole fiberglass hardtop! The
car's original 'E' Code 312 V8 engine with rebuilt and original
dual 4 barrel Holley carbs is extremely strong and powerful and
sounds absolutely magnificent. The transmission shifts smoothly
though the gears and the power steering and power brakes make the
car an absolute pleasure to drive. Four new whitewall radial tires
have just been installed on brand new chrome wire wheels with
matching center caps. All the chrome was removed and
re-chromed.This car drives absolutely magnificently - must be
driven to be believed - does not miss a beat and purrs like a
kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles,
shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give
any modern day car a run for it's money with a recent full service
and tune up including adjusting the carbs and the ignition timing
etc make for piece of mind turn key driving today! Please note that
the car also boasts its original spare wheel and jack in the trunk
along with original trunk spec lining!This is a rare opportunity to
own an absolutely beautifully restored and superb and truly
striking original Dearborn, MI built (as is true of all
Thunderbirds!) car. It is also a great daily driving example of an
original 1957 Thunderbird with it's original highly desirable 'E'
code 312 c.i. dual 4 Barrel Holley carbs V8 engine and loaded with
highly desirable options including Power steering, Power brakes,
its original Port Hole hard top, original 'Town amp; Country'
radio, heater and defroster and electric clock!A near perfect
example with work completed by some of the most respected
Thunderbird restorers in the country and fresh from a renown
collectors estate and loaded with desirable options including power
brakes, power steering, 4 way power seat, automatic transmission
with overdrive and not least of all it's original 'E' code engine
and now ready for any T-Bird enthusiast or collector of a very
striking turn-key ready example of the T-Bird's finest year and one
if its rarest models for any classic American car collector!
