Vehicle Overview
This 1957 Ford Thunderbird E-Code has been restored to factory specifications with an emphasis on authenticity, preserving the features and components that distinguish one of the rarest and most desirable first-generation Thunderbirds. A 100% numbers-matching example, this Thunderbird spent more than 40 years in a single ownership before undergoing a meticulous concours-quality nut-and-bolt restoration by a recognized Ford marque expert. Originally sold new in Arizona, the car retains its 100% rust-free body and frame and has seen very little road use since the completion of its restoration.
Finished in its factory Flame Red (Code VE) over the correct interior, this Thunderbird retains its original E-Code dual four-barrel induction system, paired with the highly desirable factory four-speed manual transmission. Produced for only one model year, the E-Code option transformed the Thunderbird into Ford's highest-performance personal luxury car, making surviving numbers-matching examples among the most sought-after first-generation Thunderbirds today.
The restoration reflects an uncompromising commitment to factory correctness. The numbers-matching drivetrain has been carefully preserved, while the engine compartment, chassis, undercarriage, and body exhibit the level of detail expected from a concours restoration. Factory equipment includes wire wheels, the convertible soft top, and the unusual combination of heater delete and radio delete, features that further distinguish this Thunderbird from more commonly equipped examples.
Beautifully restored, highly authentic, and exceptionally well preserved, this Thunderbird represents the type of automobile Bray's actively seeks for its inventory—cars selected for their originality, documented provenance, rust-free preservation, and exceptional restoration quality. It is an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of Ford's most significant performance automobiles of the 1950s.
Technical Specifications
Vehicle Identification
1957 Ford Thunderbird E-Code
Factory E-Code High-Performance Model
Over 40 Years of Single Ownership
Originally Sold New in Arizona
Body & Exterior
Factory Flame Red Exterior (Paint Code VE)
Body Code 40
100% Rust-Free Original Body
100% Rust-Free Original Frame
Concours Nut-and-Bolt Restoration
Factory Convertible Soft Top
Factory Wire Wheels
Interior
Factory Interior (Trim Code XH)
Factory Heater Delete
Factory Radio Delete
Engine
100% Numbers-Matching Factory E-Code V8
Factory Dual Four-Barrel Carburetors
Concours Restored to Factory Specifications
Transmission
Factory Four-Speed Manual Transmission
Rear Axle
Factory Rear Axle Code 4668 B
Documentation & Provenance
100% Numbers-Matching Drivetrain
Over 40 Years of Single Ownership
Originally Sold New in Arizona
Restored by a Ford Marque Expert
Extensive Nut-and-Bolt Concours Restoration
Very Limited Mileage Since Restoration
Condition
Concours Restored
Highly Authentic Throughout
Outstanding Cosmetic and Mechanical Presentation
Ready for Judging, Touring, or Collection Display
Model History
The 1957 Thunderbird represented the final and most refined year of Ford's original two-seat Thunderbird before the introduction of the four-seat "Squarebird" in 1958. It was also the only year buyers could order the E-Code engine, making it one of the most desirable first-generation Thunderbirds ever produced.
The E-Code package equipped the Thunderbird with a 312 cubic-inch V8 featuring dual four-barrel carburetors, increasing output to 270 horsepower and creating Ford's highest-performance Thunderbird available in 1957. Combined with the optional four-speed manual transmission, the E-Code offered performance that rivaled many contemporary sports cars while maintaining the refinement that defined the Thunderbird.
Today, genuine numbers-matching E-Code Thunderbirds remain among the most collectible American automobiles of the 1950s. Examples retaining their original drivetrain, rust-free body and frame, documented long-term ownership, and concours-quality restorations are seldom offered for sale. Combining all of those attributes, this Thunderbird represents an outstanding example of one of Ford's most historically significant performance automobiles.
