1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

If you're going back to the '50s, THIS is how you do it. A very pretty Flame Red Thunderbird, nicely restored and ready to go. Add in a fantastic red and white interior, a D-code 312, and a couple of choice options 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 always code V Flame Red, and the restorers wisely elected to keep it that way. If you're going to drive a '50s icon, it should be an attention-grabbing color and we can't argue with how great the Flame Red 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 red tint. Resprayed approximately 1 year ago, the car does show some very, very minor imperfections, 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 it's not some perfect trailer-queen, there's nothing that will stop you from attracting a crowd everywhere you go. Red really 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.

Red and white is the right choice with the Flame Red 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 likely restored when the car was refinished, and with only very minor imperfections, 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/AUX radio and a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic 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 in great condition as well.

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. Thunderbird Special valve covers with period correct 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 very solid and shows off a life lived easy through the years, and the recent fuel tank is shiny and dual exhaust system sounds great! Powder coated wheels adorned with correct Ford hubcaps are an ideal choice on any Baby Bird and carry 205/75/14 American Classics wide whitewall radials at all four corners.

Pink Cadillacs are cliché, but a Flame Red Baby Bird is truly a vintage treat. Few were built and fewer exist today, so take this one home and continue the American tradition. Call today!