FOR SALE – 1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD THE LEGENDARY “CORVETTE KILLER” – DOCUMENTED DAYTONA RACING HISTORY! 134.228 MPH AT DAYTONA BEACH IN 1959! Gold Country Classic Cars is proud to offer one of the most fascinating 1957 Ford Thunderbirds we’ve encountered. This is no ordinary Baby Bird — it’s a genuine piece of American hot-rodding history with an incredible story and an extraordinary collection of period documentation to back it up! Originally owned and raced by Florida hot rodder and stock car racer Mel Marshall Sr., this Thunderbird was transformed into a serious performance machine during the golden age of American racing. Seeking to outrun the fuel-injected Corvettes of the era, Marshall installed a mighty 430 cubic-inch Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln (MEL) Super Marauder V8, an engine originally rated at an impressive 400 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. With additional performance modifications, the Thunderbird earned its nickname, the “Corvette Killer.” THE DAYTONA BEACH RECORD On February 23, 1959, Mel Marshall drove this very Thunderbird through the famous measured mile at Daytona Beach, Florida, achieving an astonishing 134.228 MPH! Even more remarkable, the car comes with its original Daytona Beach Century Club certificate identifying Marshall, the 1957 Thunderbird, and the recorded speed, as checked by NASCAR officials. A CONNECTION TO NASCAR ROYALTY Marshall was part of Florida’s early stock-car racing scene and had personal connections with NASCAR legends Bobby and Donnie Allison, as well as renowned engine builder Waddell Wilson. The Thunderbird remained in the Marshall family for decades, eventually passing to Mel Marshall Jr., who preserved its fascinating history. The car subsequently received an engine rebuild and four-wheel disc brake upgrades. AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION Accompanying this Thunderbird is an extensive collection of period memorabilia, including: Original February 23, 1959 Daytona Beach 134.228 MPH speed certificate 1959 NASCAR Daytona Beach competitor permit and rule book Original NASCAR newsletters and racing memorabilia Vintage engine and performance modification records Original 1958 Thunderbird purchase receipts Historical photographs and newspaper features Handwritten family accounts documenting the car’s remarkable past MORE THAN A CLASSIC CAR — A PIECE OF AMERICAN RACING HISTORY! While most 1957 Thunderbirds are remembered as stylish two-seat cruisers, this one was built to run with the fastest cars of its era. With its thundering big-block MEL V8, remarkable family history, and surviving Daytona racing documentation, this Thunderbird represents an exceptional opportunity for the serious collector or vintage racing enthusiast. You can buy a beautiful 1957 Thunderbird almost any day. Finding one with this kind of history is another story entirely!
Vehicle is on consignment at Gold Country Classic Cars.
Gold Country Classic Cars is a family owned & operated classic and collector car dealership located in Grass Valley, CA. We buy, sell, trade and consign and we love connecting buyers with their perfect car! We offer worldwide shipping using reputable transportation at a competitive rate. We also offer financing. Call for more info today at (530) 955-0404 or visit us at www.goldcountryclassiccars.com
