Vehicle Description
1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
The 1955-57 two-seat Ford Thunderbird is among the most recognized
iconic American cars. It's been put in television shows, movies and
print advertisements, not to mention being pictured on a U.S.
postage stamp. The mass media often has mistakenly called any
sporty looking car, such as the Ford Mustang, a "sports car". It's
given the 1955-57 Thunderbird the same description, although Ford
stressed from the get-go that its new baby was a "personal car".
Ford knew that the sports cars market was very limited and that
calling the Thunderbird a "personal car" would give it much broader
appeal.
For consignment, a personal car, as dubbed by Ford, 2-seater adult
getaway vehicle. This would be the last year for a good while for
this two seat configuration, and is widely thought to be the best
year of the first generation T bird. This car has been owned by a
mere 3 owners, 2 of which are in the same family. Purchased in 1958
by our consignor's grandfather and when eventually sold,
repurchased by our consignor. It then underwent an every nut and
bolt restoration completed in 2001 and is now a 1999 AACA National
First winner. 1957 saw Ford add some extra options including power
which this one has a 292ci which now comes with a 2-barrel electric
choke carburetor with the original carb included along with a host
of restoration photos and historical documents. And best of all
this bird can fly topless.
Exterior
When you pen a thin bodied, long hood with a chrome trimmed edge
scoop in its middle, and throw in canted tail fins, make it a 2
seater car, add on some jet age styling for the taillights, a
convertible top in blue canvas, add on fender skirts, a wraparound
windshield, and some chromed trimmings, you have one helluva car
and it happens to be THIS car! All straight steel bathed in
Colonial White paint showing like it was just sprayed last year and
remains perfect with absolutely no rust anywhere!! Mirror like
chrome bumpers, an egg crate grille, and for the rear bumper, wide
oval built in exhaust ports, this car screams steel sex. A blue
canvas convertible top is underneath a Dresden Blue edged padded
tonneau when it's in the down position, and presents as very clean
and tear free with a clear rear window in plastic. This car rolls
on 14-inch turbine style bullet center capped and chromed wheels
and their coverings. All corners are wrapped in 7.50-14's in wide
white wall trim for your viewing pleasure. Mmmmm, mmmmmm good!
Interior
Swing the door and be met with two tone Dresden and Starmist Blue
vinyl panels that have no idea what a straight line is as to their
design. The blues mix with machined swirl pattern aluminum inserts
for the actuator. A long padded armrest in smooth dark blue vinyl
stretches across the mid door, and below is a shiny window crank.
For the dash a big curved overhanging cowl in padded blue vinyl for
the topper hovers above more machined aluminum and a litany of
round gauges and chrome bezel black knobs and pulls. Even more
machined aluminum is installed for the radio delete panel and as we
gaze across this big padded curved top dash we can note temp, fan
controls, and a nearly hidden glove box, but the deeply inset
keyhole gives it away. A metal lower dash also in painted Dresden
Blue and some blue vinyl covered kick side panels accentuated by
deep pile teal blue carpet can be seen covering the floors. An
original steering wheel, clean as a whistle, and you will be left
awestruck, when you slip into the overstuffed two tone Starmist
blue tuck and roll insert and smooth Dresden Blue bolstered curved
full bench seat vinyl bench seat that envelops the passengers when
inside.
Drivetrain
A flip of the front hinged hood and more bling with some sting with
a 292ci "Y" block. Painted a beautiful red, shoehorned into a
totally restored engine bay, and some heads now strapped on and
topped with cast and ribbed polished winged valve covers. On top is
a 3-barrel carb and on back a 3-speed manual. The rear axle takes
the brunt of this power with a 9-inch size, and 3.56 gears. Just
wonderful underneath this scooped hood. Noted is a chromed
"spaceship" styled air cleaner covering floating over the 2bbls.
Part of the dress up kit on this bling power plant.
Ver-uuuuhmmmm!
Undercarriage
Showing nicely and near flawlessly restored, rust free X framing
and floor pans, reworked suspension which is independent coil
springs for the front, and leaf springs on the back. Miles of black
paint takesover the undercarriage and alllooks like new and in good
condition. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and a solid exhaust
system is now on. Bird is the word...T Bird that is!
Drive-Ability
She fired right up with a low rumble, and it was off to the test
track with a snap back of my neck. Those 2 barrels kicked right in
and I was quickly transported to performance heaven. Great handler,
smooth shifter, quick bias free stopping with those drums, and all
was functioning awesomely. We did note that the top can be folded
down, but the paint coating on the top frame does not allow it to
fully fold and tuck behind the seat.
1957 never looked so good with this beautifully restored and
meticulously cared for Bird. Very few criticisms for this car where
a nice job has been performed everywhere, even underneath.
(Remember I said every nut and bolt was off). If you are in the
market for a classic bird, or just want to get your wife on board
to help clean out the other side of your garage, you need to see
this spectacle of Ford design in its last year of the two seater
until Y2K. Ripe for the picking, and you can soar in style through
the neighborhood, in this "Mink Coat for Father"
C7FH326574
C-292ci 2bbl V8 212hp
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
326574-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR E-Colonial White
TRIM XL-Dresden & Starmist Blue Pleated Vinyl
DATE 03G-July 3rd
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 2-Ford 9" 3.56 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
