1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

2-seat Thunderbirds have been one of the pillars of the collector car hobby since, well, they were new. The rule is that special cars will always be special, and this 1957 Thunderbird shows you why. It's the ideal combination of appealing looks and great-driving hardware, a show and go car that never wanted to ride on a trailer and instead just likes to cruise.

Refinished about four years ago in its original Starmist Blue, this is a great-looking '57 'Bird. It's a somewhat unusual color, perfect for the pastel '50s but a refreshing change from red, white, or black. The workmanship in the repaint is nice overall, with a few signs of use because, as I said, this car was a fair-weather driver for many years, which is exactly how it should be. On the other hand, it does not appear to have ever been wrecked or a rust bucket, so major surgery was probably not necessary to get it into shape. As a result, the doors feel solid, the fender skirts fit well, and the hood sits flush. The peaked fins are attractive and the trim around the jet-exhaust taillights looks bright and crisp. In fact, all the brightwork looks great, with some of it being restored and some of it being excellent original stuff. It's not a show winner, but it really looks great going down the road.

Likewise, the interior is a mixture of restored components and originality, blending into a comfortable, casual driver's environment that's ideal for Sunday morning drives. The two-tone blue is a great choice and looks right in the light blue 'Bird and the seat covers, carpets, and door panels are all quite presentable overall. The gauges are original and with the exception of the tachometer, they're all fully functional, and the big steering wheel is covered with a blue leather wrap to make it easier to grab. Seat belts have been added for safety and Thunderbird logo floor mats keep everything looking tidy. There's a brand new blue canvas convertible top that fits better than the original and a correct white porthole hardtop which is the combination specified on the door tag. The trunk is outfitted with a new mat and a matching full-sized spare with jack assembly.

The 312 cubic inch V8 is a reliable partner in the Thunderbird, offering smooth, unobtrusive performance when you're cruising, but plenty of grunt to move with vigor when needed. The problematic "teapot" carburetor is gone, replaced by a 4-barrel Holley, which is a very smart upgrade, but the rest of the engine bay is largely stock. It wears the usual dress-up kit, Ford Red engine enamel, and correct cork gasket for the hood scoop. Power steering is a welcome addition on any old car and makes this Thunderbird easy to drive around town and all the belts and hoses are new. A recent tune up puts it in great operating condition, so it starts easily and purrs along with a crisp burble from the recent dual exhaust system. A 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission clicks through the gears and the 3.00 gears out back make it a fine long-distance tourer. The underside is probably original, but there are no red flags or major issues waiting for you and it sits on correct bias-ply wide whites for a period look.

A nice driver-grade early 'Bird with an unusual color combination and a lot of charm. If you're looking for an easy way to enjoy old cars, it's still hard to beat a Thunderbird. Call today!