AUTOMATIC TRANS, POWER STEERING, HARD TOP

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD. RARE ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY CAR.

FACTORY 312 CI MOTOR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. POWER STEERING. FACTORY PORTHOLE TOP. FACTORY HEATER. TOWN AND COUNTRY RADIO. AFTERMARKET AIR CONDITIONING

VIN # D7FH1924430

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird is an example of one of the best years of the Thunderbird model run and represents an era of Ford cars that will never be seen again…

The condition of this car is very solid and well preserved.   The car shows 71. 37 miles on the odometer. which looks to be original.   I believe I am the fourth or fifth owner from new.

This D Code Thunderbird was built on January 15. 1957 with the Gunmetal metallic paint code and a Gunmetal metallic paint code hard top.   It was the 123rd car delivered to New Orleans.   

This is the perfect car to drive just the way it is or treat to a full restoration in the future.     

Notable options include automatic transmission. heater. Town and Country Radio. and power steering.   Please note that all of the options listed. with the exception of the air conditioning. are original to the car. as are all of the mechanical parts including the engine. transmission. rear end. etc.

 

BODY:

This Thunderbird is an original Gunmetal Gray metallic car per the data tag.   Although there is an older repaint on the car. the paint is acceptable for a driver quality car.   The body is very straight and solid. the result of being well taken care of throughout its life.   I am including photos of the trunk floor in the photo section and I can also send additional photos of the undercarriage and cockpit floor upon request.  

The glass and seals are in very good condition and there are no leaks evident.    

 

INTERIOR:

The interior is trimmed in the correct red grained material.   The seating areas are in very nice condition. as are the door panels and dashboard.   The carpet is also the correct pattern and material and is in excellent condition.

All of the accessories. including the heater and Town and Country radio (factory installed). are in working order.   All of the gauges work with the exception of the clock.

The correct power steering horn ring is part of the steering wheel assembly and an important piece of the originality of the interior not normally present.       

All of the windows roll up and down and work perfectly.   The trunk is in very nice condition along with the trunk mat. with no rips. tears. or missing pieces.   The trunk floor. as you can see from the photos. is in very nice condition.  

 

UNDERCARRIAGE:

The underside of the car is in line with an original and well-cared for car.   Again. it is very solid and well preserved. This is a very original car that has never been apart or off the frame.  

 

ENGINE and ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

The powerplant in this Thunderbird is the original “D” Code 312 cubic inch motor equipped with the power steering option. which makes the car a real pleasure to drive.   All aspects of the motor are in perfect working order.

All components are in operational condition and every detail of the engine compartment is “FoMoCo Correct”.  

TIRES AND WHEELS:

The tires are in very nice condition and do not show any noticeable wear. but they are older.   While they look good and are the correct style and type. and do not show any dry rot. replacement should be considered at some point in the near future if the car is going to be driven any long distance.  

The wheels covers are the original Ford Thunderbird wheel covers and are in very nice original condition.  

OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSIONS:

This Thunderbird runs and drives as should.   The 312 CI V8 powerplant runs and accelerates smoothly and very quickly and the automatic transmission (which was rebuilt at some point in the past) shifts as it should.  

The car drives around town and on the open road with no squeaks. creaks. or rattles.   It has had all of the necessary service recently performed including:

-oil-change

-complete tune-up including spark plugs. spark plug wires. rotor. and distributor cap

-installation of new battery  

-carburetor re-build

-new wheel cylinders installed 

-master cylinder re-built

-new radiator hoses 

-power flush of engine block

-power flush of cooling system  

 

The car needs absolutely nothing to drive. show. and enjoy.   All of the mechanical aspects of the car work as they should.  

I have a complete list of all work performed on the car that brought it up to the current mechanical condition and am happy to email the list upon request.  

 

PLEASE NOTE:

This 1957 Ford still retains all of its original or O. E. M.   components!  This means the engine. transmission. rear end. etc. are original or correct to the car. All of the numbers. markings. etc. . are correct.  THIS THUNDERBIRD HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY!  It is a very original and special car that. as evidenced by the low mileage and condition. has been driven very sparingly and properly cared for during the last 57 years…

If you are serious about purchasing this vehicle. I encourage you to come. take a look. and drive it.   I can also provide you with additional photos of any specific part you have questions about.

You or your mechanic are also welcome to put the car on a lift and perform any drivetrain inspection you wish. including a compression check.

TERMS:  $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE.   BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON. BANK TO BANK TRANSFER. OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE.   SORRY. NO C. O. D. AND NO PAYPAL.  

The description of this Thunderbird is written to the best of my knowledge.   However. I am by no means an expert on vintage Thunderbird cars.   Please don't hesitate to ask for more photos and. if possible. come and look in person before the auction ends.   ALL SALES ARE FINAL!  If you have any questions. please contact me before the auction ends.

If you have any questions. please contact me.   If you live close to Chicago. I encourage you to come and inspect the vehicle in person!

In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders. eBay's new listing format does NOT display any bidder information.   Nevertheless. I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence.   Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating.

This vehicle is being sold as is. where is with no warranty. expressed. written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory.   The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description. authenticity. genuineness. or defects herein. and makes no warranty in connection therewith.   No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness. imperfection. defect or damage.   Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type.   It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely.   The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale.   Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.

Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item.   If you require an inspection. I am happy to make myself available and have the car available but please have it done prior to bidding.   I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the vehicle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid.   After the sale. inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid.   If there are any questions regarding the above terms. please e-mail prior to bidding.

Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for.   If you bid on this part and win. you are expected to pay for the vehicle and pick it up in a timely manner!

I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements.   I can also arrange shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge.   If you are an international buyer. I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping. so I do not mind keeping the vehicle for a longer period of time until pick up.   Please contact me before the sale ends. if possible. to discuss the specifics.

Thanks for your interest! 

For more on the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. please read on past the photos.

Evoking the mythological creature of the indigenous peoples of North America. the Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette. it was not marketed as a sports car.   Rather. Ford created a new market segment. the Personal Car. to position it.

In 1958. the Thunderbird gained a second row of seats. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977. again in 1980. and once again in 1983. Sales were good until the 1990s. when large 2-door coupes became unpopular; production ceased at the end of 1997.

In 2002 production of the Thunderbird started again. a revived 2-seat model was launched. which was available through the end of the 2005 model year. From its introduction in 1955 to its most recent departure in 2005. Ford has produced over 4. 4 million Thunderbirds.

A smaller two-seater sports roadster was created at the behest of Henry For II in 1953 called the Vega.   The completed one-off generated interest at the time. but had meager power. European looks. and a correspondingly high cost. so it never proceeded to production. The Thunderbird was similar in concept. but would be more American in style. more luxurious. and less sport-oriented.

The men and their teams generally credited with the creation of the original Thunderbird are: Lewis D. Crusoe. a retired GM executive lured out of retirement by Henry Ford II; George Walker. chief stylist and a Ford vice-president; Frank Hershey. chief stylist for the Ford Division; Bill Boyer. designer for the Body Development Studio who became manager of the Thunderbird Studio in spring of 1955. and Bill Burnett. chief engineer. Ford Designer William P. Boyer was lead stylist on the original 1955 two-seater Thunderbird and also had a hand in designing the future series of Thunderbirds including the 30th Anniversary Edition.

Hershey's participation in the creation of the Thunderbird was more administrative than artistic. Crusoe and Walker met in France in October 1951. Walking in the Grand Palais in Paris. Crusoe pointed at a sports car and asked Walker. 'Why can't we have something like that?' Some versions of the story claim that Walker replied by telling Crusoe. "oh. we're working on it". although if anything existed at the time beyond casual dream-car sketches by members of the design staff. records of it have never come to light.

Walker promptly telephoned Ford's HQ in Dearborn and told designer Frank Hershey about the conversation with Crusoe. Hershey took the idea and began working on the vehicle. The concept was for a two-passenger open car. with a target weight of 2525 lb (1145 kg). an Interceptor V8 engine based on the forthcoming overhead-valve Ford V8 slated for 1954 model year introduction. and a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). Crusoe saw a painted clay model on May 18. 1953. which corresponded closely to the final car; he gave the car the go-ahead in September after comparing it with current European trends. After Henry Ford II returned from the Los Angeles Auto Show (Autorama) in 1953 he approved the final design concept to compete with the then new Corvette.

The name was not among the hundreds proposed. including rejected options such as Apache (the original name of the P-51 Mustang). Falcon (owned by Chrysler at the time). Eagle. Tropicale. Hawaiian. and Thunderbolt.   Rather. it was suggested by a  designer and. in the hurry-up mood of the project. accepted.

First generation (1955–1957):

1957 Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird began life in February 1953 in direct response to Chevrolet's  new sports car. the Corvette. which was publicly unveiled in prototype form just a month before. Under rapid development. the Thunderbird went from idea to prototype in about a year. being unveiled to the public at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20. 1954.

Like the Corvette. the Thunderbird had a two-seat coupe/convertible layout. Production of the Thunderbird began later on in 1954 on September 9 with the car beginning sales as a 1955 model on October 22. 1954. Though sharing some design characteristics with other Fords of the time. such as single. circular headlamps and tail lamps and modest tailfins. the Thunderbird was sleeker and more athletic in shape. and had features like a faux hood scoop and a 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer hinting a higher performance nature that other Fords didn't possess.

Mechanically though. the Thunderbird could trace its roots to other mainstream Fords. The Thunderbird's 102. 0 inches (2. 91 mm) wheelbase frame was mostly a shortened version of that used in other Fords while the car's standard 292 cu in (4. 8 L) Y-block V8 came from Ford's Mercury division.

Though inspired by. and positioned directly against. the Corvette. Ford billed the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car. putting a greater emphasis on the car's comfort and convenience features rather than its inherent sportiness. Designations aside. the Thunderbird sold exceptionally well in its first year. In fact. the Thunderbird outsold the Corvette by more than 23-to-one for 1955 with 16. 55 Thunderbirds sold against 700 Corvettes.

With the Thunderbird considered a success. few changes were made to the car for 1956. The most notable change was moving the spare tire to a continental-style rear bumper in order to make more storage room in the trunk. However. the addition of the weight at the rear caused steering issues. and was changed back in 1957.  

Among the few other changes were new paint colors. the addition of circular porthole windows in the fiberglass roof to improve rearward visibility. and a 312 cu in (5. 1 L) Y-block V8 making 215 horsepower (160 kW) when mated to a 3-speed manual transmission or 225 horsepower (168 kW) when mated to a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission.

The Thunderbird was revised for 1957 with a reshaped front bumper. a larger grille and tailfins. and larger tail lamps. The 312 cu in (5. 1 L) V8 became the Thunderbird's standard engine. and now produced 245 horsepower (183 kW). Other. even more powerful versions of the 312 cu in (5. 1 L) V8 were available including one with two four-barrel Holley carburetors and another with a Paxton supercharger delivering 300 horsepower (220 kW). Though Ford was pleased to see sales of the Thunderbird rise to a record-breaking 21. 80 units for 1957. company executives felt the car could do even better. leading to a substantial redesign of the car for 1958.

References:

-Tast. Alan H. and David Newhardt.

THUNDERBIRD FIFTY YEARS. Motorbooks. October 15. 2004.

-Witzenburg. Gary. "The Name Game". Motor Trend. 4/84. p. 82.

-Witzenburg. p. 86.

-Edmunds Inc. "Ford Thunderbird History. " 2009.  

-Gower. Colin. GREATEST AMERICAN CARS. January 1. 2004. Colin Gower Enterprises. Ltd.

1957 Ford Thunderbird Specifications: 

 

Model Number

Body/Style Number

Body Type & Seating

Factory Price

Shipping Weight

Total Production

Thunderbird

C7/D7/E7

40

2 dr Convertible - 2P

$3. 08

3. 34 lbs

21. 80

Chassis Data

Model

Wheelbase

Overall Length

Overall Height

Front Tread

Rear Tread

Tires

Thunderbird

102 in

181. 4 in

51. 6 in

56 in

56 in

7. 50 x 14 four-ply tubeless

 

Vin Number Decoding - 1957 Ford Thunderbird

Location: Installed on the dash panel in the engine compartment.

 

First Symbol - Engine

 

D= V8 OHV 312 cu. in.

F = V8 OHV 312 cu. in. Supercharged

 

Second Symbol - Model Year

7 = 1957

6 = 1956

 

Third - Assembly Plant

A = Atlanta. GA.

M = Memphis. TN.

C = Chester. PA.

N = Norfolk. VA.

D = Dallas. TX.

P = Twin Cities. WI.

E = Mahwah. NJ.

R = San Jose. CA.

F = Dearborn. MI.

S = Pilot Plant

G = Chicago. IL.

T = Metuchen. NJ.

H = Lorain. OH.

U = Louisville. KY.

J = Los Angeles. CA.

W = Wayne. MI.

K = Kansas City. MO.

Y = Wixom. MI.

L = Long Beach. CA.

Z = St. Louis. MO.

 

Fourth Symbol - Body Style

H = Thunderbird

 

Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence

Starting at 100001

 

Body Type Code

40 = Thunderbird

 

Body Color Code

A = Raven Black

N = Gunmetal Gray / Seaspray Green

E = Colonial White

Q = Thundrbird Bronze

F = Starmist Blue

R = Torch Red

G = Sun Gold

V = Flame Red

H = Gunmetal Gray

X = Dusk Rose

J = Willow Green

Y = Inca Gold

L = Azure Blue

Z = Coral Sand

 

Trim Code

XA = Raven Black & Colonial White Vinyl

XK = Colonial White Vinyl

XH = Flame Red Vinyl

XL = Dresden (med. Blue) & Starmist (lt. Blue) vinyl

XJ = Bronze (Copper) Vinyl

XM = Cumberland (med. green) & Willow (lt. green) vinyl

 

Date Code (example - 17 K - 17 = day of month; K = month

A or N = January

G or U = July

B or P = February

H or V = August

C or Q = March

J or W = September

D or R = April

K or X = October

E or S = May

L or Y = November

F or T = June

M or Z = December

 

Transmission Codes

Code

Transmission Type

1

3-Speed Manual Shift

2

Overdrive

3

Fordomatic 2-speed

 

Rear Axle Code

Code

Ratio

0

4. 11

1

3. 10

2

3. 56

3

3. 70

4

3. 89

5

2. 91

6

2. 69

Courtesy of OldRide. com

Also published at eBay.com

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