Vehicle Description
Gorgeous color combination! Factory E-code with correct Torch Red
exterior with Flame Red interior!! Both hard and soft tops! Super
solid example with original sales documentation and factory
invoice! Fantastic paint, chrome, and interior! A true investment
quality Thunderbird!
Designed and built to directly compete against Chevrolet's new
Corvette, Ford billed their Thunderbird model as a "Personal Luxury
Car" rather than a simple sports car, putting greater emphasis on
the comfort and convenience features. The luxury styled Thunderbird
was revised for 1957 with a reshaped front bumper, a larger grille,
larger tailfins, and larger tail lamps. The 312cid V8 became the
Thunderbird's standard engine, now producing 245hp, with two
optional high-performance engines added. One would be the E-code
312ci 2x4 barrel making 270 horsepower, and the F-code 312ci with
Paxton-built McCulloch centrifugal supercharger making closer to
300 horsepower. Both are rare to find today, with reportedly only
1,499 E-Birds and just 196 F-Birds ever produced!
This Stunning 1957 Ford Thunderbird E-code is finished in its
factory colors of RR- Torch Red over a XH- Flame Red pleated vinyl
interior. It comes equipped with both white vinyl soft top
(originally black) and original Ford porthole hardtop. Factory
options include Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, power drum
brakes, engine dress-up kit, windshield washer, heater & defroster,
Firestone Deluxe Champion 7.50x14 wide whitewall tires, full
Sunburst wheel covers, and Town & Country signal-seeking radio.
This is very late production example that was factory invoiced on
November 22nd, 1957, and body tagged November 23rd and stamped PAID
on the factory delivery invoice on November 29th, 1957. It sold new
through Robert Lee Ford, Inc. based in Cleveland, OH to its first
owner, a young university professor in the Cleveland area, on March
12th, 1958. Based on the production unit number of this
Thunderbird, this is the 342nd vehicle from the end of production
for the 1957 model year. It comes extremely well documented with
factory delivery receipt showing the build specs, options, and
dealer invoice price of $3,334.04.
It would stay with the original owner for the next 58 years! It
would move early in life to Ambridge, Pennsylvania to be enjoyed
sparingly when the weather allowed, then parked in 1988 after his
usage became less and less annually. Due to health reasons, he
would finally sell it to its only other owner in September 2016
with approximately 75,000 miles on the odometer. Pictures of the
car being loaded up that day are included and show a preserved,
rust free car that survived beautifully tucked away in a dry
garage!
This proud new owner would commence a no-expense-spared frame up
restoration to Classic Thunderbird Club International show
standards. This included both cosmetics and mechanical freshening
on all systems, and a proclaimed $18,000 professional respray of
the exterior paint finish. It is of the highest quality, and simply
stunning to look at! To better appreciate the gentle care this car
received with the first owner, note that the paint visible inside
the engine compartment remains factory original, as does the
visible paint located under the rear trunk mat and the red oxide
primer visible behind and underneath the passenger cabin! An
extremely impressive, rust free example!
The cabin features all new upholstery, floor carpeting, door
panels, new convertible soft top, etc. The rear trunk compartment
is spotless and complete with tire changing equipment.
Mechanically, you will find new fuel delivery system from a new gas
tank forward, all new suspension system with fresh bushings
throughout, all new exhaust, new tires, new brakes, and on and
on!
The entire drivetrain was serviced as needed in the same no expense
fashion, then detailed extensively for a show worthy presentation.
Factory style inspection stickers were added for a show worthy
presentation, as were new Ford Motorcraft drive belts, FOMOCO
branded radiator hoses & clamps, and concours detail stickers on
larger components. The original Holley ECJ9510 AB carburetors were
rebuilt and tuned nicely, along with new plugs, wire, cap & rotor,
fluids, etc. It continues to run and drive wonderfully today! It
has been driven approximately 200 miles since completion in 2019.
The odometer today reads 75,297 miles.
Solid examples with survivor qualities like this one are nearly
impossible to find today! It has never been rusty nor been in any
accidents. Add in the rare and highly sought-after factory E-code
engine, wonderful color combination, early ownership documentation,
quality of restoration, options, and overall stunning condition,
you have a true investment quality collector car! We would be happy
to assist in worldwide transportation of the car if needed. Please
do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have on
this fantastic E-Bird!