1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

The 1955-57 two-seat Ford Thunderbird is among the most recognized iconic American cars. It's been put in television shows, movies and print advertisements, not to mention being pictured on a U.S. postage stamp. The mass media often has mistakenly called any sporty looking car, such as the Ford Mustang, a "sports car". It's given the 1955-57 Thunderbird the same description, although Ford stressed from the get-go that its new baby was a "personal car". Ford knew that the sports cars market was very limited and that calling the Thunderbird a "personal car" would give it much broader appeal.

For consignment, a personal car, as dubbed by Ford, 2-seater adult getaway vehicle. This would be the last year for a good while for this two seat configuration, and is widely thought to be the best year of the first generation T bird. 1957 saw Ford add some extra options including power which this one has a 312ci which now comes with a 4-barrel carburetor, 3-speed Ford-O-Matic and retains its larger “G” heads in raw 312 cubes. And best of all this bird can go topless.

Exterior
When you pen a thin bodied, long hood with a chrome trimmed edge scoop in its middle, and throw in canted tail fins, make it a 2 seater car, add on some jet age styling for the taillights, a convertible top in black canvas, add on fender skirts, a wraparound windshield, and some chromed trimmings, you have this car. All straight steel bathed in Colonial White paint showing like it was just sprayed last year. Mirror like chrome bumpers, egg crate grille, and for the rear in bumper exhaust ports, this car screams steel sex. A black canvas convertible top is underneath a red tonneau when it's in the down position, and presents as very clean and tear free with a clear rear window in plastic. Before I move on, we need to give a shout out to the shiny Kelsey Hayes polished wire wheels. These are wrapped in 205/75R14's in wide white wall trim for your viewing pleasure. Mmmmm, mmmmmm good!

Interior
Swing the door and be met with red vinyl panels that have no idea what a straight line is as to their design. The red mixes with machined swirl pattern aluminum inserts for the actuator. A long padded armrest in smooth red vinyl stretches across the mid door, and below are power window toggles. For the dash a big curved overhanging cowl in padded red vinyl for the topper, and more machined aluminum and a litany of round gauges and chrome bezel black knobs and pulls. A town and country AM radio is neatly installed and as we gaze across this big padded curved top dash we can note temp, fan controls, and a nearly hidden glove box, but the deeply inset keyhole gives it away. A metal lower dash also in painted red and some red vinyl covered kick side panels accentuated by deep pile red carpet can be seen covering the floors. An original steering wheel, clean as a whistle, and you will be left awestruck, when you slip into the overstuffed red vinyl bench seat that envelops the passengers when inside.

Drivetrain
A flip of the front hinged hood and more bling with some sting with a 292ci “Y” block now factory bored to 312 cubes. Painted a beautiful red, shoehorned into a totally restored engine bay, and some “G” code bigger heads now strapped on and topped with cast and ribbed polished winged valve covers. On top is a 4-barrel carb and on back a 3-speed automatic Ford-O-Matic tranny. The rear axle takes the brunt of this power with a 9-inch size, and 3.10 gears. Just wonderful underneath this scooped hood. Noted is a chromed “spaceship” styled air cleaner covering floating over the 4bbls. Part of the dress up kit on this bling power plant. Ver-uuuuhmmmm!

Undercarriage
Showing nicely and original, rust free X framing and floor pans, reworked suspension which is independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs on the back, and they look used but in good condition. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and a solid exhaust system is now on. Bird is the word…T Bird that is!

Drive-Ability
She fired right up with a low rumble, and it was off to the test track with a snap back of my neck. Those 4 barrels kicked right in and I was quickly transported to performance heaven. Great handler, smooth shifter, quick bias free stopping with those drums, and all was functioning awesomely. Due to the seat being a bit overstuffed a taller individual will likely have difficulty getting into this car.

1957 never looked so good with this beautifully restored and cared for Bird. Very few criticisms for this car where a nice job has been performed everywhere, even underneath. If you are in the market for a classic bird, or just want to get your wife on board to help clean out the other side of your garage, you need to see this spectacle of Ford design in its last year of the two seater until Y2K. Ripe for the picking, and you can soar in style through the neighborhood, in this “Mink Coat for Father”

VIN DECODE
D7FH254839
D-312ci V8 4bbl 245hp
7-1957
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
254839-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40-Thunderbird
COLOR EE-Colonial White
TRIM XH-Raven Black, Colonial White
PRODUCTION CODE 25C712210P-March 25th Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.