1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

The classic look of the 2-seater Thunderbird reached its peak in 1957, both literally and figuratively. With peaked tailfins, it looked right in the late 1950s, and in terms of today's collectors, the '57 definitely holds a special appeal.

This Colonial White '57 is a two-top roadster with a high-quality restoration, and yes, it's every bit as heartbreakingly gorgeous as the pictures suggest. Using correct code E Colonial White, it was returned to original specifications in just about every measurable way, and, quite honestly, it's a lot nicer now than it was in 1957. It's obvious everywhere you look that a lot of effort went into the restoration, and even though white is pretty good at hiding flaws, we can't find any that are worth noting. The sheetmetal is so straight you can use those long quarter panels as mirrors, the gaps are even enough for the ball-bearing test you saw on that commercial, and the final finish can be buffed to a shine that puts other white cars to shame. The chrome on this car is show-quality throughout, from the grille to the rear bumper with integral exhaust ports, not to mention Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, a cool period accessory.

Matching the exterior, the correct code XH Flame Red interior is simply gorgeous. It stands as a triumph of 1950s design, neither excessively flamboyant nor too plain, it is exactly right for the Thunderbird's upscale mission. Every single component that you can touch has been restored or replaced, from the seat covers that feature correct patterns and embossed Thunderbird logo, to the door panels that are glittering works of art with their machine-turned panels. The red is a nice contrast to the red and white setups found in many cars, and according to the door tag, that's exactly how this one came from the factory. The original Town & Country AM radio is still in the dash, although like many old cars, it's not currently functional, but the good news is that all the original gauges appear to work like they should and look great. The steering wheel has been restored, the carpets are in good order, and the padded dash shows no signs of age or UV damage. In 1957, Ford also moved the spare tire inside the trunk, where there's a painted steel wheel, a brand new wide whitewall spare, full jack assembly, and a correct mat. This is also a two-top car, including a white convertible top stowed behind the seats and a matching Colonial White porthole hardtop that's just as nice as the rest of the car.

No questions about what's under the hood, it's advertised on the brightly decorated valve covers. The optional D-code 312 cubic inch Thunderbird Special V8 was rated at a very stout 245 horsepower which makes for impressive performance. The engine runs beautifully and looks fantastic with Ford Red on the block, correct air cleaner, and nicely refinished exhaust manifolds. Power steering is always welcome in a vintage T-Bird, allowing it to be driven anywhere, anytime without a second thought. A 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission drives highway-friendly gears in the 9-inch rear, so it cruises effortlessly, which is really what the Thunderbird was designed to do. And you can't overlook those gorgeous Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels, an expensive option then and now, and they wear 205/75/14 wide whitewall radials that look right and ride great.

A beautiful Thunderbird that represents the last of the classic early 2-seaters; classic colors, beautifully finished, and ready to go. Call today!