Vehicle Description
1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
The 1957 Thunderbird was marketed as a personal car, putting more
emphasis on the car's comfort and convenience packages than
performance. Although it outperformed the Corvette right off the
line, the conveniences were heavily marketed. A new 12-volt
electrical system would be used to power all the conveniences, and
proved to be the new standard for the future. Smaller fins, a new
grille, sleeker body and a hood scoop added to the appeal of what
some consider the nicest year for the iconic Thunderbird, said to
be named from the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage,
California.
This consignment "Baby Bird" as this year is known as comes to us
as a self described driver quality car. Not a museum piece, but fit
enough to be driven on a regular basis by the current consigner.
With a hardtop, any weather will do for a drive, and some 1957
fun.
Exterior
Black satin finish paint for the body with a Colonial White hardtop
and may be arguably the best color for this classic bird. It
presents in good condition. A chromed hood scoop sits in a long
front bonnet and is fronted by nice bumpers complete with mini
Dagmars and an egg crate chromed grille, and brite work which is
original for the handles and locks but newer side view mirrors are
now on, and one can actually look rearward through them and see
something! Body matching vents adorn the front quarter panels, and
are fully operational, bringing fresh air into the car. As we move
rearward, small fins take form beginning behind the doors, and make
their way back to the "owl eye" taillamps. For this year Ford had
the exhaust outlets go through the rear bumper. The hardtop
presents itself in Colonial White and has the iconic porthole
window in the B pillar. New radial tires wrap American Racing
Torque Thrust 14-inch wheels in front, and 15 inches for the back.
These are finished in a satin gray 5 spoke setup. Comes with a
brand new convertible soft top and a powder coated frame.
Interior
A very nice set of white horizontal tufted seats, with black
bolsters are shoehorned into the cabin stretching from door to
door. Door panels show black vinyl in rectangular design and
swooping black vinyl armrests topped with machined swirl aluminum
to match the swoop of the armrest. This same aluminum trim band
makes its way across the dash, goes up into the semicircular
instrument cluster and is surrounded by black padded vinyl on top
and black metal on the bottom. Below the dash center is a trio of
aftermarket gauges in a shiny chromed small panel. A 3 spoke
steering wheel fronts the dash and has a black padded ring on the
outside. The town and country radio repro has AM/FM/CD capabilities
but appears like the original factory radio once did. In the hump
is a snazzy T style shift lever possibly from a Mustang. Above is a
beautifully done shiny black vinyl headliner.
Drivetrain
A 350ci V8 is now under the hood. The consigner states that it was
rebuilt in May of 2018. It has a 4-barrel Edelbrock carb and
Edelbrock intake and a 700R4 4-speed automatic on the back. This
throws power rearward to a Ford 9-inch 3.10 gear rear axle.
Undercarriage
A look underneath reveals nicely done frame and floor pans with
just a dusting of surface rust on the X frame. Everything looks
straight and true. Good pipes and mufflers for the dual exhaust and
bumper in back shows no ill effects of the exhaust going through
it. Overall, very nice underneath.
Drive-Ability
After reading through an extensive instruction sheet provided by
the consigner I felt I did not even need to drive this car, but in
the end I decided to do so. I found it to start quickly, and drive
like it is new with nice acceleration, and good handling. Functions
were working well.
A bit of changes from the original creating a unique 57 Bird will
set it apart from the others that flock together. The black satin
paint, AR Torque Thrust wheels, and some shaving of badging give it
a one of a kind-esque look, but still much like the showroom
original. A Mink coat for father if you will.
D7FH315019
D-312ci V8 4bbl 245hp
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
315019-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR HE-Gunmetal Gray & Colonial White
TRIM XH-Flame Red
DATE 18F-June 18th
TRANS 3-Ford-O-Matic
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.10 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.
