Truly one of a kind, you will not find another one like it. 1957 Ford Thunderbird (D code), 312 Y-Block V8, Paxton SN-60 supercharger, Fordomatic, power steering, power windows. 144k miles on the car. Car runs strong and smooth. A Southern California car its entire life until I brought it to Texas in 2021.
I am the third owner, my grandfather was the second owner since he bought the car in 1968. The original owner really wanted a F-code Tbird but couldn’t get one, so he bought this T-Bird from Santa Monica Ford and drove it down the street to the Paxton shop in Santa Monica and had a supercharger installed. The original supercharger was replaced in the early 1960s with the SN 60 model that the car has now. The car also has a dealer installed continental kit.
The car started out as Colonial White and red interior. Around 1980, my grandfather had the car painted a pure white with Imron paint and had the interior done in Peacock Blue/White which is a 1956-only color. Also in 1980, he installed a remanufactured 312 when the car hit 100k miles. At that time, he had the car dialed in on the dyno with a Carter 625 carb that was specially modified for the Supercharger and more efficient bonnet.
The car was originally a power brake car, but the booster went out decades ago and it also didn’t fit well with the supercharger. The entire brake system was overhauled circa 2010 and a dual chamber master cylinder was installed at that time. The manual drum brakes are firm and get the job done well.
The transmission was rebuilt around 2010 and the tires were also refreshed at that time. Note with the wire wheels, the wheels run on tubes.
Also around 2010 we took the cylinder heads off the engine and got the valves checked by a machine shop. Was told at that time that the heads were in good condition. Regasketed the top end of the motor at that time. No significant lip on any of the bores. Cylinders at that time averaged 165 psi on the compression test.
Mufflers were put on by Midas in 1972. Supposedly they have a lifetime warranty…
Around 2014, I replaced the o-ring seal around the gas tank filler neck. I also had the third member re-sealed. Around 2018, I installed a new heater core.
In 2020, I put in a new aluminum radiator, high output water pump, Chris Ames water pump spacer and high flow thermostat. I also installed a Stewart Warner mechanical water temp gauge which is very accurate when checked against an infrared gun. The original gauge is not hooked up anymore as it was highly unreliable. I also installed new headlights at this time.
In 2021, I had to install an aftermarket horn as I could not get the original ones to work. Around 2022, I replaced the condensor, coil and rotor. Spark plug wires were replaced around 2012.
In 2023 and 2024, I replaced the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filters and supercharger ducting. I also installed a conversion kit to make the Y Block compatible with spin on oil filters. In 2025, I had the carburetor rebuilt and I replaced the battery.
Pretty much everything works on this car as it should (e.g. headlights, blinkers, power windows, later model cassette/radio, wipers.)
The bad: the paint shows it age, there are chips and touch ups that don’t match exactly. There is some cancer around lower part by driver door. Doors when closed don’t exactly align with body. Needs a new windshield, two chips. Car is a real nice “10 footer”.
This car has been in the family for 57 years and it’s sadly time to let it go. I don’t have the time to drive it regularly and I need to downsize and get rid of some cars. $32,500 OBO, cash only, in person only. Clean title in hand.
