1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

Two-seat Thunderbirds like this 1957 model hold a unique spot in enthusiasts' hearts. One, they're perhaps the ultimate expression of 1950s style and two, they are some of the most stable automotive investments you can make. Name another car you can buy today, enjoy for 10 years, and sell for pretty much what you have in it, or even turn a profit. Not many cars can make that claim, but Thunderbirds are rock solid that way.

This striking black-on-red 'Bird is one of those great cars that is always ready for a show or a cruise. Code AA Raven Black is its original color and you know it'll never go out of style, so that's another point in this car's favor. The '57s have their share of fans, and as the most modern and distinctive of the early 'Birds, it delivers on the promises its looks make. It was restored in 1993 and driven quite a bit since then, but the smooth, shiny paint is holding up well (although certainly not perfect) and looks far fresher than you'd expect. You can credit first-rate workmanship and attention to detail for that feat, and everything still lines up right and fits tight. All the chrome was refinished during the restoration and it has held up quite well, with no notable blemishes even around the exhaust ports in back, and that deck lid mounted antenna is an interesting feature that usually means the dealer installed the radio back in the day, helping this one stand out even more. As far as driver-grade Thunderbirds go, this one is presents very well.

Bright red upholstery with dark red carpets emphasizes the flashy look, and with careful ownership this one looks years younger than you'd expect. The bench seat is still supportive and comfortable, the carpets are good, and gorgeous door panels don't show so much as an indentation from the driver's elbow on the armrest. A matching steering wheel has been neatly wrapped in red leather, offering a classy look that blends right in. The gauges are probably original but they show well with clear lenses and bright pointers, although the odometer isn't functioning, so we don't know the exact mileage. Upgrades include the under-dash A/C unit which is both effective and period-correct, an AM/FM/cassette stereo radio with digital tuning in the original dash slot, and a modern alternator to power it all. A black canvas convertible top stows behind the seats, just in case, and looks great with a crystal clear rear window, and you also get a matching porthole hardtop that's a trademark T-Bird look. The spare tire moved back into the trunk for 1957, so this one carries a matching spare wheel and tire assembly as well as a reproduction plaid trunk mat.

The rebuilt 312 cubic inch V8 was rebuilt by Bob's T-Birds in Florida and looks great wearing the dress-up kit that virtually every Thunderbird eventually receives. Finned valve covers, a chrome air cleaner, and bright red engine paint really pop against the shiny black bodywork, and you can tell that this one was built to drive. Power steering is a nice find on any early 'Bird and the A/C system fits so neatly in the engine bay that it could almost pass for OEM. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission is unobtrusive and the right choice in an early 'Bird and with 3.00 gears out back, it's a superlative highway cruiser. Gorgeous chrome wire wheels really sparkle against the black paint and wear proper BFGoodrich Silvertown 7.50-14 bias ply wide whites for a perfect period look.

If you've never owned a Thunderbird, you're in for a treat, and for those of you who already know how great they are, this one is ready to drive and enjoy without worries. Call today!