1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

This may look like a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, and is indeed titled as a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, but the fact is, it's a very cleverly built Coleman kit that neatly updates all the Thunderbird's vintage parts without losing the vintage look. Cool, right?

Built in 1985, it's 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 nicely, and the bright red finish certainly looks right on a 2-seat 'Bird. The paint is showing some age and some prep issues, most 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. Nice chrome details are so accurate they're probably interchangeable with original Thunderbird pieces, although the rear bumper no longer uses built-in exhaust ports, which at least saves you the hassle of polishing the soot off the chrome every weekend.

At first glance, the interior looks traditional, but then you notice those are high-back buckets wrapped in Thunderbird-style red and white seat covers. A tilt steering column actually makes it a lot easier to climb in and out and it's topped by a handsome Grant GT wood-rimmed steering wheel. 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 A/C system is far better integrated than it was in 1957. There's also a modern AM/FM/CD stereo, which is a thoughtful update on a car that dates back three decades. There's some evidence of use, most notably a hole in the driver's seat, but that also means this one is totally sorted out and ready to enjoy without the usual foibles of an assembled car. It includes both a folding convertible top and a removable porthole hardtop, again making it a very convincing doppelganger. The trunk is fully upholstered in matching red carpets and it's surprisingly roomy for easy road trips.

The engine is a reliable Ford 5.0 liter V8 borrowed from a 1985 Mustang GT. That was the last year for carburetors, so it's easy to maintain and retains the flavor of 1957. Of course, you also get things like a reliable A/C system, serpentine belt accessory drive, and a powerful alternator instead of a generator. Power disc brakes and power rack-and-pinion steering are included, so this Thunderbird rides, handles, stops, and steers better than anything built in the '50s. A custom chassis supports the body and includes a great-sounding dual exhaust system that has a mellow V8 sound that's appropriate to the Thunderbird's luxury/performance image. Heck, there's even a catalytic converter to make it legal just about anywhere you'd care to go. The rear suspension is also from a Mustang, using a familiar 4-link setup and it sits on 205/75/15 Coker wide whitewall radials with a wire wheel cover in the middle.

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!