For Sale at Auction: 1957 Ford Thunderbird in Scottsdale, Arizona

In February 1953, the Thunderbird was first debuted to the world - a two-door Italian-inspired coupe built for traveling in both speed and comfort. The Thunderbird featured a new design language for Ford with slim tailfins, a low cowl and a prominent hood scoop out front. The 150-mph speedometer alluded to the sporting nature of the car, and the removable fiberglass hardtop added practicality over a standard cloth convertible top. Immediately the Thunderbird was immediately a huge success, outselling its rival the Corvette by 23 to 1. In 1957, Ford wanted to freshen its design and, in an effort to gain some ground on the all-new 1957 Corvette, developed a line of new engine options. The tailfins grew and the trunk got longer, the grille became wider and the interior gauge cluster received a major overhaul. These design modifications were a unanimous success and Ford had once again broken its sales record, with over 21,000 Thunderbirds built in 1957 alone. This 1957 Thunderbird is an example of the model that has been restored and lightly modified for maximum driving enjoyment. Finished in a shade of Aqua Blue with a matching pleated vinyl Aqua Blue interior, this Thunderbird was recently treated to a 2-year frame-off restoration and finished to a high standard. The car retains its stock Thunderbird valve covers and a chrome air cleaner; the whole engine bay looks original until you begin to dig deeper. Under the hood lies a 312ci Y-block V8 engine with an upgraded camshaft and throttle-body fuel injection. In addition, an electric fuel pump and updated Griffin radiator were added. Under the car, a rack & pinion steering system has been added, along with oversized sway bars for improved handling. The car now has front disc brakes and wire wheels fitted with radial tires. On the inside, the interior has been restored to stock appearance but features a tilt steering column, modern air conditioning and an original-looking radio with Bluetooth connectivity. Cruise control has also been added. Two sets of keys, books and the owner's manual are included in the sale.