All The Bling Of A 1957 Thunderbird, All The Luxuries Of A Modern T-Bird!
Do you want something NOBODY else has? You've found it!
Virtually every time I drive this one-of-a-kind T-Bird I get thumbs up and stares (especially the ladies!). When it is parked people always ask about it in admiration. They have never seen anything like it!
It's a pristine 2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe convertible which has been professionally modified by an automotive engineer to look like the classic 1957 T-Bird! It has always lived in a garage and never been smoked in. Just under 31,000 original miles!
From the front, where the hood scoop sits over a show-stopping grille and modified front bumper, to the back, with its Continental tire kit and perfectly positioned exhaust tips underneath, there's just so much to like on display here. Ford knew what they were doing when they rolled out the 2-seater Thunderbird convertible, capturing the look and feel of the original while updating in every way. This one wears the rare and gorgeous Merlot Metallic paint, an elegant color that compliments the long, sleek design and makes this Thunderbird look far more expensive than it is. The dark paint accentuates the swooping profile and works better than many of the other colors offered, and because this a 2004-only color, you won't be seeing these Merlot beauties at your local cruise-in. With just 30,932 original miles, this one has lived an easy life, like most Thunderbirds, as a collectable. As such, it's never seen snow, never been wrecked, and if it's even been in the rain it was only in an emergency, because this has obviously not been a daily driver.
Build quality is very good (Ford obviously knew their halo car had better be excellent in every way) and the various parts fit together as they should, highlighted by doors that close with a reassuringly heavy feeling. Unlike so many 2-seat convertibles, this 'Bird feels substantial, almost like the hand-built cars of old -- just like it looks! The tan leather interior is a dramatic contrast to the dark red bodywork, elegant and sporty in every way. With such low mileage, there are almost no signs of use save for a few wrinkles on the leather, and even those might have been there when the hides were still on the cow. Black carpets are largely unmarked, protected by black carpeted floor mats outlined with tan piping.
Just about everything was standard on the 11th generation Thunderbirds, including automatic climate control, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control and much more. Powering this beauty is the stock 3.9 Liter V8 engine that cranks out 250 horsepower and hits 0-60 in seven seconds through a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The convertible top is in excellent shape and the rear glass is clear (and heated). The removable hardtop has the classic porthole windows. The headlights were restored on May 26, 2021. All service records for the 10 years I have owned it are available. It has just been serviced by the shop I have used for years. Includes boot cover, whitewall spare tire and several other accessories. The hood scoop bezel is aftermarket and the tan convertible top has a very light water stain.
The features and upgrades that you get with this amazing vehicle, unlike 1957, include climate control, anti-lock braking, rack-and-pinion steering, independent front and rear suspension, an excellent safety rating, power windows, locks, mirrors, seats and convertible top, heated glass rear window, cruise control, premium audio with 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM/satellite radio, windscreen behind the seats (cuts down noise when the top is down), removable hardtop with porthole windows, spare tire, heated seats, lumbar support, power brakes, power steering, telescoping wheel, keyless entry, seat belts, passenger airbag, leather interior, whitewall radial tires, and 25-inch chrome wheels with the T-Bird logo. The new NAPA Legend Premium battery was installed May, 2020. The big, clear gauges have a retro feel but aren't duplicates of old gauges, but rather a modern take on a classic look, right down to the turquoise-colored pointers. The tan power convertible top is the one you'll use most often, but it also includes a Merlot Metallic color-matched porthole hardtop so you can use it year-round.
Ford's 3.9 liter DOHC V8 engine is smooth, torquey, and utterly capable in the 2-seat T-Bird. Properly maintained from brand-new, with the 5-speed automatic transmission behind it, fuel economy is decent (21 mpg highway, 15 city). Like the original Thunderbirds, the suspension is supple without being soggy, and the all-independent setup rarely puts a tire wrong. Big power disc brakes give it a level of confidence earlier Thunderbirds would have appreciated, and the factory dual exhaust has just the right eight-cylinder burble. This one wears a set of Thunderbird wheels with whitewall tires and Thunderbird logo, the perfect complement to the Merlot Metallic paint, making this a very flashy, one-of-a-kind T-Bird indeed.
The 50's T-Birds are an important part of automotive history. Every year the first-generation T-birds were a bit different, and the 1957 Ford Thunderbird is arguably the best of them all. With this unique car you get the best of both worlds -- all the prestige and bling of the 1957 classic with all the luxuries and safety of the 2004 model.
With the recent spike in popularity and meteoric rise in values of Thunderbirds, this ultra-clean, low-mileage T-Bird is a first-class ticket to nostalgic motoring that cannot be rivaled at ANY price. Treat yourself to owning the most unique car on the road!
