The 1955-57 two-seat Ford Thunderbird is among the most recognized iconic American cars. It's been put in television shows, movies and print advertisements, not to mention being pictured on a U.S. postage stamp. The mass media often has mistakenly called any sporty looking car, such as the Ford Mustang, a "sports car". It's given the 1955-57 Thunderbird the same description, although Ford stressed from the get-go that its new baby was a "personal car". Ford knew that the sports cars market was very limited and that calling the Thunderbird a "personal car" would give it much broader appeal.
For consignment, a personal car, as dubbed by Ford, 2-seater adult getaway vehicle. This would be the last year for a good while for this two seat configuration, and is widely thought to be the best year of the first generation T bird. This car has been owned by a mere 3 owners, 2 of which are in the same family. Purchased in 1958 by our consignor's grandfather and when eventually sold, repurchased by our consignor. It then underwent an every nut and bolt restoration completed in 2001 and is now a 1999 AACA National First winner. 1957 saw Ford add some extra options including power which this one has a 292ci which now comes with a 2-barrel electric choke carburetor with the original carb included along with a host of restoration photos and historical documents. And best of all this bird can fly topless.
Exterior When you pen a thin bodied, long hood with a chrome trimmed edge scoop in its middle, and throw in canted tail fins, make it a 2 seater car, add on some jet age styling for the taillights, a convertible top in blue canvas, add on fender skirts, a wraparound windshield, and some chromed trimmings, you have one helluva car and it happens to be THIS car! All straight steel bathed in Colonial White paint showing like it was just sprayed last year and remains perfect with absolutely no rust anywhere!! Mirror like chrome bumpers, an egg crate grille, and for the rear bumper, wide oval built in exhaust ports, this car screams steel sex. A blue canvas convertible top is underneath a Dresden Blue edged padded tonneau when it's in the down position, and presents as very clean and tear free with a clear rear window in plastic. This car rolls on 14-inch turbine style bullet center capped and chromed wheels and their coverings. All corners are wrapped in 7.50-14's in wide white wall trim for your viewing pleasure. Mmmmm, mmmmmm good!
Interior Swing the door and be met with two tone Dresden and Starmist Blue vinyl panels that have no idea what a straight line is as to their design. The blues mix with machined swirl pattern aluminum inserts for the actuator. A long padded armrest in smooth dark blue vinyl stretches across the mid door, and below is a shiny window crank. For the dash a big curved overhanging cowl in padded blue vinyl for the topper hovers above more machined aluminum and a litany of round gauges and chrome bezel black knobs and pulls. Even more machined aluminum is installed for the radio delete panel and as we gaze across this big padded curved top dash we can note temp, fan controls, and a nearly hidden glove box, but the deeply inset keyhole gives it away. A metal lower dash also in painted Dresden Blue and some blue vinyl covered kick side panels accentuated by deep pile teal blue carpet can be seen covering the floors. An original steering wheel, clean as a whistle, and you will be left awestruck, when you slip into the overstuffed two tone Starmist blue tuck and roll insert and smooth Dresden Blue bolstered curved full bench seat vinyl bench seat that envelops the passengers when inside.
Drivetrain A flip of the front hinged hood and more bling with some sting with a 292ci "Y" block. Painted a beautiful red, shoehorned into a totally restored engine bay, and some heads now strapped on and topped with cast and ribbed polished winged valve covers. On top is a 3-barrel carb and on back a 3-speed manual. The rear axle takes the brunt of this power with a 9-inch size, and 3.56 gears. Just wonderful underneath this scooped hood. Noted is a chromed "spaceship" styled air cleaner covering floating over the 2bbls. Part of the dress up kit on this bling power plant. Ver-uuuuhmmmm!
Undercarriage Showing nicely and near flawlessly restored, rust free X framing and floor pans, reworked suspension which is independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs on the back. Miles of black paint takes over the undercarriage and all looks like new and in good condition. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and a solid exhaust system is now on. Bird is the word...T Bird that is!
Drive-Ability She fired right up with a low rumble, and it was off to the test track with a snap back of my neck. Those 2 barrels kicked right in and I was quickly transported to performance heaven. Great handler, smooth shifter, quick bias free stopping with those drums, and all was functioning awesomely. We did note that the top can be folded down, but the paint coating on the top frame does not allow it to fully fold and tuck behind the seat.
1957 never looked so good with this beautifully restored and meticulously cared for Bird. Very few criticisms for this car where a nice job has been performed everywhere, even underneath. (Remember I said every nut and bolt was off). If you are in the market for a classic bird, or just want to get your wife on board to help clean out the other side of your garage, you need to see this spectacle of Ford design in its last year of the two seater until Y2K. Ripe for the picking, and you can soar in style through the neighborhood, in this "Mink Coat for Father"
C7FH326574
C-292ci 2bbl V8 212hp 7-1957 F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant H-Thunderbird 326574-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 40-Thunderbird COLOR E-Colonial White TRIM XL-Dresden & Starmist Blue Pleated Vinyl DATE 03G-July 3rd TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual AXLE 2-Ford 9" 3.56 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
