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 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 J Willow Green, and the restorers wisely elected to upgrade the shade to one of the more iconic colors from the era. 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 finned '57. The car appears 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 a few year back, the car does show some 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 Flame Red shade from the '57 palate, 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 interior is the right choice with the Flame Red bodywork, adding to the drama of the exterior and making the 2-seat cabin of this Baby Bird a profoundly 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 original AM radio and a floor-shifter that manages the 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission, making this '57 'Bird a lot of fun to drive. And although options were often quite sparse for most of these Baby Birds, this one comes equipped with a heater and power windows. The trunk is beautifully finished with a correct plaid 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, but this car's owner wanted the best of both world's - selecting a matching porthole hardtop along with a tan vinyl folding top that are both in very good shape.

The 312 cubic inch V8 is topped by a 4-barrel carburetor, makes the Thunderbird an impressive performer out on the open road. The engine bay is nicely detailed to original specs, showing off one of the best-looking engines ever. Thunderbird Special valve covers with period correct logos are works of art by themselves, and underneath the bright chrome air cleaner the red engine looks clean and shows only minor signs of use – expected of a car that's been driven and enjoyed since it was restored. Underneath, it's very solid and shows off a life lived easy through the years, and the dual exhaust system sounds great! Kelsey Hayes spoke wheels 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!