1957 Ford Thunderbird Replica

Description

If it looks like a 'Bird, sounds like a 'Bird, and is even badged as a 'Bird, it must be a real Thunderbird, right? Not necessarily, back in the '70s and '80s several companies popped up and built replicas so people could afford the next-best-thing. Nicely built "Baby Bird" facsimiles like this 1957 Ford Thunderbird Replica from Prestige Classics Manufacturing represented one of the better tributes that money could buy, with a tough, durable fiberglass body, comfy interior, and an upgraded 302 V8/3-speed automatic drivetrain. Same timeless good looks but with more power, better handling, and the reliability of a more modern drivetrain, all for a fraction of the price of real T-Bird. Sign me up!

Built in 1975, this is a very convincing replica. The fiberglass bodywork nails the Thunderbird look with the wide grille, functional hood scoop, and small fins on the rear fenders; heck, it's even got cowl vents! Some folks might think the lack of fender skirts gives it away, but the truth is that skirts were optional on the original 'Birds, although 95% of buyers opted to have them. Finish quality on the body is quite good and it fits together fairly nicely, and the bright red finish certainly looks right on a 2-seat 'Bird. The paint is definitely showing some age and some prep issues, some of which could be remedied with a professional wet sand and buff, but at speed nobody's going to notice and with the mechanical upgrades underneath, you'll be having too much fun driving the thing to worry about it. The bumpers are silver, instead of chrome, which give the car away the most, but the front grille, brightwork accents, and spoke wheels all play the part the right way.

At first glance, the interior looks a bit traditional, but then you notice those are 1st-generation Ford Mustang buckets wrapped in good looking red seat covers. The dash is a reasonable facsimile of the original, with all the gauges grouped ahead of the driver in a neat machine-turned panel, and the steering wheel and floor shifter for the automatic transmission are slightly different than what you'd get in 1957, but it all just works. A trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash monitor the powerful small block, and there's a modern AM/FM/CD stereo, which is a thoughtful update on a car that dates back three decades. And although it looks like this replica was originally built with A/C (judging by the controls in the dash), the components have been removed, though that may not be that big of a deal in an open-air cruiser like this. There's some evidence of light use, but that also means this one is totally sorted out and ready to enjoy without the usual foibles of an assembled car. Red door panels are neatly stitched, as are the red carpets on the floors, and the trunk is simple and houses a full-size spare.

The engine is a reliable Ford 5.0 liter V8 (aka the 302 V8) borrowed from a 1975 Ford Granada. The small block comes topped with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and an aluminum intake, so it's easy to maintain and retains the flavor of 1957, and there's plenty of power on top for this lightweight Faux Bird. Of course, you also get things like a set of long-tube headers, Ford Racing valve covers, and a powerful alternator instead of a generator, so the engine bay is way more performance based than anything from 1957. Front disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering are included, so this Thunderbird rides, handles, stops, and steers better than any stock Baby Bird, and the custom chassis supports the body on heavy-duty shocks and springs. The soundtrack is much improved as well, with those block-hugging headers feeding into a Flowmaster dual exhaust system with turn-downs just beyond the rear axle (the exhaust openings in the rear bumper are just for show). Wired wheels are the perfect 'chef's kiss' on this build, and they come wrapped in 205/75/14 Coker Classic wide whitewall radials with plenty of grip.

A Thunderbird with all the upgrades you've been wishing for, all at a discounted price. It's easy to see why this T-Bird replica was so popular with its previous owners and why you'll enjoy it tomorrow. Call today!