For Sale: 1957 Ford Thunderbird in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

"This graceful new '57 version of the classic Thunderbird is full of exciting new surprises, even for veteran Thunderbird fans. Thunderbird performance, the famous standard for fine car power, has soared to still more brilliant heights. In fact, the sizzling GO it delivers at a touch of your toe is something extra special. Gentlemen agree that the Thunderbird is America's distinguished personal car. The only question in Thunderbird owning families is whether it's his or hers." From the 1957 sales brochure.

For consignment, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 108 mile, but the true miles are unknown. Thunderbirds were pretty quick in their day but this one's been fitted with a 347ci stroker V8 and now runs with 415 horses under the hood making any idea of slow, rolling thunder lightning quick!

Exterior
If you're going to have a bad to the bone Thunderbird, why not have it black, named for the smartest bird in the bird world, Raven Black, here complemented by the Colonial White accessory hard top which picks up on the Coker white walls very nicely. There's a white canvas top too, but it's discolored and slightly ragged and the window has yellowed with haze and age. Meanwhile, the classic lines of the Thunderbird persist with the forward leaning headlights bookending the eggcrate grille, a power bulge hood scoop on top, forward canted trim on the fender, modest fins over the round tail lights, and for '57, the jet like exhaust ports through the rear fender. 15-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels make quite a statement here and hint at what's lurking underneath while fender skirts keep things aerodynamic and add some trim to the body. Imperfections include chips, bubbling, touched up areas, some scratches, and cracking paint, waviness in the bodywork, and chips in the hardtop.

Interior
A turned aluminum insert dresses this and most Thunderbird door panels, here surrounded by back vinyl and showing a good bit of patina including some bubbling in the soft door tops. There's some surface rust on the sill and some compression on the black bench that flows straight across the cabin. A banjo style wood rimmed steering wheel fronts the newer spun aluminum gauge bezel with white face dials. An original AM radio is still in place beside the vent levers and black loop carpet covers the floor and shows some wear in place while a Lokar type shifter rises from the transmission tunnel.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is an impressive looking 347ci stroker V8 with electronic fuel injection, Blueprint heads, and the capability of 415 horsepower. It's mated to an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Ford 9" in back with 3.25 gears and TracLoc. Polished headers make an appearance in the bay and head south to front the dual exhaust system.

Undercarriage
From underneath, we note a combination of conditions from typical driver quality to some very new components that glisten with clean metals. The dual exhaust travels through Flow FX by FlowMaster mufflers on their way to that epic rear exit. Power brakes include new lines and fittings and discs all around. The front end has been rebuilt and suspension includes coil springs, the rear has new leaf springs and new shocks. We note some surface rust on the door bottoms while it's on the lift.

Drive-Ability
It may feel like every other Thunderbird until you turn the key and let the stroker sing its song through headers and FlowMasters! We put the car in Drive and send it into flight around the test loop where power is evident, the cabin is cozy but comfortable, and the car tracks, turns, and brakes in good form. We note the speedometer, odometer, horn and radio are not working, but all other functions score 100. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

If you just want one to drive and enjoy and you don't mind a tattered feather here or there, this fire breathing bird is the one to have! Aspirations of concours level competition are long gone, and this soars alone in a world filled with flocks of baby birds. This injected Thunderbird is greased lightning, and contrails of black rubber lines can't be too far off!

D7FH173577

D-312ci 4bbl 245hp V8
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
173577-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR AE-Raven Black & Colonial White
TRIM AE-Pleated Raven Black Vinyl
DATE 21M220075P-December 21st

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

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