1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

For those of you who have been calling about our other Thunderbirds, only to tell us that what you really want is a manual transmission, this Raven Black '57 is here to answer your call. Super straight and with three pedals on the floor, it's the Thunderbird for driving enthusiasts.

Code AA means Raven Black and that's how this '57 Thunderbird was delivered. Of course, it's been restored and with modern paint technology, the shine is every bit as good as it was on the showroom floor. The restoration is a few years old now, so it has some signs of use and age, but Thunderbirds are funny that way-they only seem to get better with time. Sight down those long quarters, though, and you'll see that the work was very well done and everything fits together very nicely. There are also good gaps, the fender skirts are flush, and the peaked tailfins are crisp and sharp, all of which is highlighted by the glossy black paint. Lots of chrome is a hallmark of 1950s style no matter what kind of car you own, and the brightwork on this T-Bird was buffed, polished, and shined so it blazes against the black paint, from the simple eggcrate grille to the rear bumpers with their integrated exhaust outlets.

Black and white is the theme inside, too, with the Thunderbird's typically gorgeous upholstery. From the artfully designed door panels with a machined-turned panel that wraps into the dash to the power bench seat, this is one great-looking place to spend some time. The gauges show nicely detailed faces with stainless inserts and bright pointers, all framed by more engine-turned stainless. Ford's famous Town & Country AM radio lives in the dash and there's a well-integrated aftermarket A/C unit underneath that almost looks like it was born there. And most importantly, there's a white cue ball knob atop the 3-speed manual shifter. The top is black canvas that folds easily and stows behind the seat, and in 1957 the spare moved back into the trunk, where it's surrounded by a reproduction plaid mat and a full jack assembly.

Ford's 312 cubic inch "Thunderbird Special" V8 carries a 4-barrel Holley carburetor under that chrome air cleaner and a burbling dual exhaust system behind those unique exhaust manifolds. Painted Thunderbird Red with the optional finned valve covers, it's still one of the best-looking engines of the period. The aftermarket A/C system fits neatly and uses R134a refrigerant and a modern compressor so it's easy to service and reliable. The chassis isn't detailed for show and has been undercoated to control noise and heat, and with highway-friendly gears in back, this is still one of the world's great road trip machines. And while the 205/75/14 Hankook whitewall radials look decent and ride well, think of how amazing this 'Bird might look with a set of wide whites wrapped around those shiny wheel covers.

So if you've been hoping to put an early 'Bird in your garage, but were holding out for a shift-it-yourself version, this pretty black '57 should be just what you've been waiting for. Call today!