Vehicle Description
If it looks like a 'Bird, sounds like a 'Bird, and is even badged
as a 'Bird, it must be a real Thunderbird, right? Not necessarily,
back in the '70s and '80s several companies popped up and built
replicas so people could afford the next-best-thing. Nicely built
"Baby Bird" facsimiles like this 1957 Ford Thunderbird Replica from
Prestige Classics Manufacturing represented one of the better
tributes that money could buy, with a tough, durable fiberglass
body, comfy interior, and an upgraded 302 V8/3-speed automatic
drivetrain. Same timeless good looks but with more power, better
handling, and the reliability of a more modern drivetrain, all for
a fraction of the price of real T-Bird. Sign me up!
Built in 1975, this is a very convincing replica. The fiberglass
bodywork nails the Thunderbird look with the wide grille,
functional hood scoop, and small fins on the rear fenders; heck,
it's even got cowl vents! Some folks might think the lack of fender
skirts gives it away, but the truth is that skirts were optional on
the original 'Birds, although 95% of buyers opted to have them.
Finish quality on the body is quite good and it fits together
fairly nicely, and the bright red finish certainly looks right on a
2-seat 'Bird. The paint is definitely showing some age and some
prep issues, some of which could be remedied with a professional
wet sand and buff, but at speed nobody's going to notice and with
the mechanical upgrades underneath, you'll be having too much fun
driving the thing to worry about it. The bumpers are silver,
instead of chrome, which give the car away the most, but the front
grille, brightwork accents, and spoke wheels all play the part the
right way.
At first glance, the interior looks a bit traditional, but then you
notice those are 1st-generation Ford Mustang buckets wrapped in
good looking red seat covers. The dash is a reasonable facsimile of
the original, with all the gauges grouped ahead of the driver in a
neat machine-turned panel, and the steering wheel and floor shifter
for the automatic transmission are slightly different than what
you'd get in 1957, but it all just works. A trio of auxiliary
gauges under the dash monitor the powerful small block, and there's
a modern AM/FM/CD stereo, which is a thoughtful update on a car
that dates back three decades. And although it looks like this
replica was originally built with A/C (judging by the controls in
the dash), the components have been removed, though that may not be
that big of a deal in an open-air cruiser like this. There's some
evidence of light use, but that also means this one is totally
sorted out and ready to enjoy without the usual foibles of an
assembled car. Red door panels are neatly stitched, as are the red
carpets on the floors, and the trunk is simple and houses a
full-size spare.
The engine is a reliable Ford 5.0 liter V8 (aka the 302 V8)
borrowed from a 1975 Ford Granada. The small block comes topped
with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and an aluminum intake, so it's
easy to maintain and retains the flavor of 1957, and there's plenty
of power on top for this lightweight Faux Bird. Of course, you also
get things like a set of long-tube headers, Ford Racing valve
covers, and a powerful alternator instead of a generator, so the
engine bay is way more performance based than anything from 1957.
Front disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering are included, so
this Thunderbird rides, handles, stops, and steers better than any
stock Baby Bird, and the custom chassis supports the body on
heavy-duty shocks and springs. The soundtrack is much improved as
well, with those block-hugging headers feeding into a Flowmaster
dual exhaust system with turn-downs just beyond the rear axle (the
exhaust openings in the rear bumper are just for show). Wired
wheels are the perfect 'chef's kiss' on this build, and they come
wrapped in 205/75/14 Coker Classic wide whitewall radials with
plenty of grip.
A Thunderbird with all the upgrades you've been wishing for, all at
a discounted price. It's easy to see why this T-Bird replica was so
popular with its previous owners and why you'll enjoy it tomorrow.
Call today!
