1957 Thunderbird, Rare Willow Green/Colonial White, Loaded with Options Ca. Car

Thanks for your interest in our 57 Thunderbird. After 50 years and four 57s its time that we pass our last one along to the next caretaker.

  According to the original "build sheet" or factory invoice included; this Thunderbird was delivered to Gerclick Motors of Omaha. NE in March 1957.   The documentation with the car says the car spent its life to the mid eighties in the inland town of Upland. CA.   The significance of CA. based cars; besides the case of disassembly. is the pronounced lack of RUST in the sheet metal. chassis. and mechanicals.   Note the smoothness in the chassis surfaces etc. shown in the pictures.   I further state that I have seen NO evidence on any panel replacement or even accident damage.   Please look at ALL 20+ pictures. no surprises here.

  It underwent a full "body off" restoration in 1982/83 and was sold to a PA. gentlemen who consigned it to the Gast Museum.   It was featured prominently on a rotating turntable at the entrance.   We had sold our Black//White F code 57 and were searching for a replacement that was: Willow Green. rust free and an older restoration.   We purchased the car in 1997. 16 years ago.

  Like many restorations this one had its share of issues along the way.   The body and chassis had been painted by one shop and the hardtop by another after some disagreement.   The aluminum valve covers; for example. had been ruined by rounding off all the edges!  I restored the current set.   Similarly the hard top hold down latches had been disassembled and beautifully re-chromed. BUT reassembled with lefts/rights. fronts/sides. handles and latches mixed up.   The RH exhaust manifold had the wrong casting number.   I replaced it with a correct one.   There were a number of such minor things; wrong bolt here. incorrect clamps there. imperfect air cleaner lid. nbsp;decals instead of correct yellow stamps. poor quality reproduction emblems etc.   All have been replaced with NOS (new old stock) parts.   The dashboard had a new cover but the remainder was unrestored.   I restored it totally; including purchases from 3 vendors of the engine turned dash/door panels to get one complete set with the engine turnings in the same direction (CW).   OK. so I have been called obsessive.   The panel turnings will reflect the light differently across the dash if mismatched.   I spent 6 months and several thousand dollars making this restoration as complete and authentic as I could then.

  There were few 57 Thunderbirds built using the Willow Green color.   Of those few most were either Willow Green body and hard top or Willow Green body and White hard top.   Least in production I believe was this combination of a White body and Green hardtop.   Maybe a hundred or less?  I don't ever recall seeing another one. Almost all had the two tone green interior here.

  Invoice includes green hard top.   Fordomatic transmission. Power brakes and steering. whitewall tires. full wheel covers and also RARE optional "built in" tonneau cover.   ALL the glass is FoMoCO logo and tinted except for the windshields which are correct tinted PPG.   I added the power windows and the 4 way power seat options; along with a white soft top.   NOS seat belts were added for safety.   Engine is the most popular 245 HP. 312 CID or D code version.

  True miles are unknown.   The speedometer showed 52000.   I rebuilt it with the dash and reset the odometer to zero.   I don't doubt the miles; and I would say it probably hasn't been driven 1500 miles since 1983!!  I have continued to maintain and upgrade.   A new radiator. steering box rebuilt. power steering cylinder notably.   In an attempt to use the car more; I recently re-did the entire exhaust and brake systems. along with Coker Tires and fresh battery.   It didn't work.   We STILL don't get the car out. its time to sell.   It starts. runs. drives like a top and always has.   There are no concerns here for roadworthiness or safety.

  What is not working?  The original Town and Country Radio is clean as a whistle with mint chrome knobs and dial.   It doesn't WORK and never has.   We never use it anyway; preferring our spoken/unspoken memories of 50 years in these cars.   Babies. graduations. weddings. club events et al.

  After 30 years; the paint has a few small cracks or beginnings of same (not big blisters or broken out bits) at a few panel joints.   These welded joints were filled and smoothed with lead at the factory; its not uncommon to see the effects of the lead moving or still reacting under the paint many years later.   They don't show in the pictures.   Don't mean to make an issue of this.   They could easily be spotted by a competent painter.   And white is arguably the easiest color to blend.   Nobody notices but I am a perfectionist.

  I have a persistent vertigo condition.   I can't get underneath a car anymore. even to change the oil.   Is to say that clearly the underside needs cleaning and detailing.   And I don't have a lift access.

  The reserve is consistent with the market and recent expenditures.   Accordingly there is NO grossly inflated Buy It Now price in this auction.   A non refundable payment of $2000. is due with 48 hours of the auction close. PayPal can be used for the $2000. BUT cannot be used for the remainder.

  I reserve the right to sell the car privately at any time.   I live a little over an hour from both Carlisle and Hershey. PA.   Can be inspected virtually any time.   PLEASE NO dealers. consignors or auctioneers.   Rather not waste your time or mine.   (570) 988-0048.

  If you would prefer having the Hard Top and Tonneau only (as per the invoice). I would be willing to remove and keep the SOFT Top.

  To be clear: A winning bidder has the option of NOT taking the SOFT Top and his TOTAL amount due then would be his winning bid minus $2500.

Also published at eBay.com

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