Vehicle Description
If you're going back to the '50s, THIS is how you do it. A Raven
Black 1957 Ford Thunderbird, restored as a dialed-in driver that's
ready to go today. Add a desirable Colonial White porthole hardtop,
a comfy black interior, a smooth-running 292 Y-block, and a couple
of choice options. You have one of the most iconic symbols of the
period that's also a lot of fun to drive. Baby Birds have been
increasing in value lately, and icons never go out of style, so why
not get in on the fun?
Check the door tag, and you'll discover that this '57 was always
Code AE Raven Black with a Colonial White hardtop. The restorers
wisely elected not to mess with a good thing, instead respraying
one of the more iconic colors from the era. Many Baby Birds are
indeed Light Blue, White, or some pastel shade popularized during
the mid-century, but in our opinion, these little sports cars take
on whole new life when covered in stark, dynamic colors like Flame
Red or Raven Black. If you're going to drive a '50s icon, it should
be an attention-grabbing color that stands out from the crowd, and
we can't argue with how great the two-tone White-over-Black looks
on the finned '57. Resprayed several years back, it's every bit of
a driver today, so if you're looking to pick it apart or win
national trophies, she'll need another squirt first. Nevertheless,
even with these aesthetic imperfections, I think it would be hard
to resist the siren call of the open road if this lovely T-Bird
lived in my garage. The best part of this hobby is the driving -
not the competitive judging, social media-ready photography, and
boasting when comparing restoration price tags - and having a
'ready to hit the road' Baby Bird like this is the best way to
achieve that end. And if you did want to take it up a notch or two,
some light paint touch-up work and a cut-and-buff would easily
restore the glory of the past when this Thunderbird was first
restored. Or drive as it sits because, in my book, this Baby Bird
still looks like a million bucks when cruising down Main Street.
The black color is uniform, it's no lifting up anywhere, and there
are no major dents or deep scratches. The bodywork is very good -
straight with good panel alignment and decent gaps - and we haven't
found any signs of rust or abuse anywhere, proof that it's always
been well-cared for. Being a '50s car, there's a good bit of
chrome, and it still shines nicely, particularly the big front
bumper and catfish-style mesh grille, the trim around the glass,
and the big rear bumper with its incorporated exhaust cutouts.
The black interior is simple yet refined and matches the bodywork,
adding to the drama of the exterior and making the 2-seat cabin of
this Baby Bird a profoundly comfortable place to enjoy a weekend
drive. The seats, door panels, and carpets were likely restored
when the car was refinished years back, so they, too, show signs of
use and wear, but it's all relatively minor stuff, and overall the
cabin is still very stylish. The dash shows correct pleats on the
pad and is full of original gauges in good shape, all nestled into
a bright engine-turned panel that shows off a light patina. The
interior's lone upgrade is a new wood-rimmed steering wheel with a
billet, banjo-style center. However, it's very much welcomed atop a
tilt column and feels great in the hands of the driver when
combined with the original automatic shifter on the floor. The
Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission makes this '57 'Bird
a lot of fun to drive for just about anyone. Much simpler than the
manuals so many of these cars came with, and with options like a
power seat, a working heater, and power steering, it's easy to sit
back and enjoy the ride. Even the original Town and Country AM/FM
stereo is still in place, although it will need a restoration or
upgrade if you want tunes. The whipping wind through what's left of
my hair is enough music to my ears. The trunk is finished with a
correct plaid mat set and full-sized spare, which was moved back
inside the trunk to alleviate understeer problems with the
continental kit on the '56s. And when you bought your new
Thunderbird in 1957, you could have either a hardtop or soft
folding top at no charge, but this car's owner wanted the best of
both worlds - selecting a porthole hardtop along with a vinyl
folding top, although the latter will need to be restored.
The 292 cubic inch V8 is topped by a 4-barrel carburetor, making
this Thunderbird an impressive performer on the open road. The
engine bay is nicely presented in original specs, showing off one
of the best-looking engines with Thunderbird Special finned valve
covers stamped with period-correct logos that are works of art by
themselves. Underneath the bright chrome air cleaner, the red
engine looks clean and shows only minor signs of use - expected of
a car that's been driven and enjoyed since it was restored.
Underneath, it's very solid and shows off a life lived easily
through the years, and the dual exhaust system sounds terrific!
Original Ford Thunderbird hubcaps adorn the wheels and are an ideal
choice on any Baby Bird, carrying 205/75/14 Hankook whitewall
radials at all four corners.
Pink Cadillacs are cliche, but a Raven Black Baby Bird is a vintage
treat. Few were built, and fewer exist today, so take this one home
and continue the American tradition. Call today!
