1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

If you're going back to the '50s, THIS is how you do it. A very pretty Starmist Blue Thunderbird, nicely restored and ready to go. Add in a fantastic black and white interior, a D-code 312, and a rather unusual manual transmission and you have one of the most iconic symbols of the period that's also a lot of fun to drive.

Check the door tag again and you'll discover that this one was original Raven Black, but that's pretty ordinary as far as Thunderbirds go. If you're going to drive a '50s icon, it should be a pastel color and we can't argue with how great the Starmist Blue looks on the befinned '57. The car seems to glow from within, and you'll note that even in our photos, the color seems to reach out to its surroundings, giving everything a lovely blue tint. Restored several years ago, the car does show some very, very minor signs of use, but I think it would be hard to resist the siren call of the open road were this lovely T-Bird living in my garage. The finish is a highly accurate reproduction of the original color, expertly rendered in modern paints so it'll last virtually forever with just a bit of care, and while there's some age on it, there's nothing that will stop you from attracting a crowd everywhere you go. Light blue shows off the car's good body gaps, particularly on the hood and trunk which can be tricky to fit properly, and all the chrome is in good order, another important factor on a '50s car.

Black and white is the right choice with the Starmist Blue bodywork, leaving the drama to the exterior and making the interior a comfortable place to enjoy a weekend drive. The seats, door panels, and carpets were restored when the car was refinished a few years ago, and while there are comfort marks on the seat, it's still a very stylish interior. The dash shows correct pleats on the pad, and is full of original gauges in good shape, all nestled into a bright engine-turned panel. It also features an updated AM/FM/cassette radio and a 3-speed manual transmission, which makes this 'Bird a lot of fun to drive. The trunk is beautifully finished with a correct mat set and full-sized spare, which was moved back inside the trunk to alleviate understeer problems with the continental kit on the '56s. And when you bought your new Thunderbird in 1957, you could have either a hardtop or folding soft top at no charge, so this car's original owner selected a Colonial White porthole hardtop that's still in good original condition.

The D-code 312 cubic inch V8 is topped by a 4-barrel carburetor and makes a robust 245 horsepower, enough to make the Thunderbird an impressive performer out on the open road. The engine bay is nicely detailed, showing off one of the best-looking engines ever. Finned valve covers with Thunderbird logos are works of art by themselves, and the bright red engine looks clean and shows only minor signs of use beyond the inevitable scale on the cast iron exhaust manifolds. Underneath, it's a little crusty and shows signs of use, but nothing that should alarm a guy who wants to drive his new Thunderbird, and the recent dual exhaust system sounds great! Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels are an ideal choice on any Thunderbird and carry 215/70/14 wide whitewall radials.

Pink Cadillacs are cliché, but a Starlight Blue Thunderbird is truly a treat. Few were built and fewer exist today, so take this one home. Call today!