1957 Ford Thunderbird, Original Gunmetal Gray Color Code Car on 2040-cars

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 71,737 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 123^rd 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.

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: 

Chassis Data

Courtesy of OldRide.com