1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

The first-generation of Ford's Thunderbird were produced for the 1955 through 1957 model years and the two-seater convertible was the first two-seat car from Ford since 1938. Thunderbird was created as competition to Chevrolet's Corvette model, which was created in response to the rising popularity of European sports cars in the U.S. In the end they went their separate ways each gaining fame in their own ways.

For consignment this ultimate suburban boulevard cruiser and get away from the kids adult middle class toy. This one comes with a hardtop with a porthole and all that 1957 styling that has now had this car come into its own. Larger fins and taillights, a new front grille, and a sporty 312ci V8. A classy, well restored two-seater meant for mom and dad that could give them some excitement without all that scary horsepower.

Exterior
A chromed egg crate grille combines with a wide front bumper that has a dip down to reveal the smile of the egg crate that sports dual mini chromed “Dagmars” which swoop upward and curve around the front quarters. A visored single round headlight flanks the scooped hood which is long and luscious and bathed in Flame Red. On the front quarter panels a beautiful gleaming Thunderbird badge written in your grandmother's handwriting and a series of vertical chromed ribs which emulate venting. Just below and before the doors is an actual vent that can be operated open and closed to add some airflow to the passengers. Snazzy doors with shiny chrome handles and covered keyhole locks have the beginnings of a fin just above the door handle, which continues and grows as it streaks rearward to the back quarter panel. These panels are fixed with fender skirts that utilize a chrome trimming on their lowers and frame a wide white in each side of the rear of the car. On back are the round jet engine styled taillights and thruster bezels within them which are topped by an angled outward fin on top. Below is a large rear bumper with protruding rectangles that house the hidden exhaust. No dings or rust on this bumper even signs of the exhaust are not there, it is that well preserved and shined. The body panels are all excellent, with no rust, near perfect gaps, save for the passenger's side door, and all bathed in Flame Red. A lot of orange peel and fading of the paint is noted in several areas. A white hardtop complete with a porthole window on the B pillar is attached. Noted, this car does not have the convertible top installed. As per factory codes, it would have been in white canvas. All trimmings and window surrounds are beautifully chromed nice and mirror-like. Turbine styled wheel covers with a central spun rounded spike, cover thin whitewall tires all around.

Interior
Inside a band of aluminum trim jets from the rear top of the door panel where it thins to meet a strip which will run the length of the dash in the very center. Above there is a ribbed padded deep red dash top, and below a rounded metal bullnose which is painted Flame Red like the exterior. A single arch is in front of the original round red painted and chromed steering wheel and column, and this area houses circular gauges. Continuing across in the mid machined aluminum strip we see a few knobs, a new vintage looking radio, and temp/fan controls. Down below is a nice deep red carpet showing nicely, and all well preserved. Floating in this sea of red are 2 white vinyl low back buckets from an early Mustang neatly tucked into the 2 passenger compartment. Seats are in in good condition. A center red plastic and machined swirl panel console, courtesy of a Ford Galaxie is sitting over the hump. It houses the chromed gearshift and a red flat area in back to rest your right arm if you are the driver. The doors utilize shiny smooth red vinyl and cranks for the windows. Inserted within these doors is more machined aluminum swirl pattern for some highlighting. A shout out to the trunk which has the checkered vinyl liner and original spare tire with the factory coding printed on it.

Drivetrain
A forward flip of the scooped hood, and we are met with a restored but showing patina engine bay and a V8. This 312ci engine has a red painted block, with shiny chrome valve covers, and a shiny round plate style air cleaner cover on top. Under this cleaner is a 4-barrel carburetor, and on back is a Ford-O-Matic automatic 3-speed transmission. A Ford 9-inch 3.10 gear rear axle is on.

Undercarriage
Looking underneath and it is an environment of black undercoating with some road dirt on top. An X frame is solid as are the rockers and body hangers. The rearmost part of the frame seems to have some invasive rust and may need further investigation as to the exact extent of said rust, but it is a small area that is being affected. Independent coil springs in front and leaf springs for the back and drum brakes are all around.

Drive-Ability
After a squeeze behind the oversized original wheel, she fired right up, and idled smoothly, definitely passing the silver dollar test on the air cleaner cover. Off I went, with good acceleration, sporty handling, smooth braking, and a low rpm cruise speed. With the hardtop, the exterior noise was very minimal. All functions were in working order. Noted there is an uninstalled original clock, the bench seat, and a tonneau cover.

If you are in the market for a classy boulevard cruiser, a mink coat for father as the ads of the day portrayed, then leave behind the kids, and go for a cruise, or just create a one car parade on your main street, with Flame Red and chromed sculpted rust free steel. Overall excellent condition, and it feels like you are right back in the Ford showroom, all giddy with excitement, getting ready to write the check!
VIN DECODE
D7FH274817
D-312ci V8 4bbl 245hp
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
274817-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR VE-Flame Red, Colonial White
TRIM XH-Flame Red
DATE 25D-April 25th Build
TRANS 3-3 Speed Ford-O-Matic
AXLE 1-3.10 Gears Conventional

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.