1957 Ford Thunderbird Two Top E-code Black Frame-off Nut & Bolt 3-speed Od Rare on 2040-cars

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Hardtop

“E – code”

1 of 977 Built
312 cu in 270 hp
2 - 4-Barrel Holley Carburetors 

Raven Black 

Black/White Interior

24470 miles

SHOW QUALITY
Complete Frame-Off  “Nut & Bolt” Restoration
Over $80K Spent
Engine Rebuilt by Ronnie Groff - San Antonio 2011

Rare Original T-85 3-Speed w/Overdrive Trans
(less than 4% were stick shift in 1957)

Chrome Wire Wheels

Master-Guide Power Steering
Swift-Sure Power Brakes 

Telescopic Steering Wheel
Full Instrumentation
Factory Tachometer

Electric Clock

Lifeguard Padded Sun Visors

Port-Hole “Delete” Hardtop

Fully Disappearing Factory Soft-Top

Rear Fender Skirts

Wide Whitewall Tires 

Highly Detailed Engine Compartment

Powder Coated Frame & Undercarriage Parts

Firestone  Champion Wide Whitewall Tires 

(7.5 x 14” correct and like brand new)

Decode:

E7FH244645

E - E-Code 312 V8
7 - 1957

F - Dearborn
H - Thunderbird

244645 - Consecutive Unit Number

40  AA  XA  13C360110P

40  - Thunderbird 

AA -  Raven Black

XA - Black/White  Black Canvas Top

13C - 13 March 1957

36   -  Louisville 

When the Thunderbird was introduced it created a new market segment to become known as the “personal luxury car.” The sporty two-seat convertible took the marketplace by storm by combining the flair of a sports car with the comfort and elegance of a boulevard cruiser.  The car was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January of 1954 to compete with Chevrolet’s Corvette and has been a collector car from it’s inception.  Many auto enthusiasts consider the 1955-1957 Thunderbirds to be some of the best looking cars ever produced. The Thunderbird achieved instant success outselling the Corvette 23-1 in it’s first year.

In 1957 design and performance improvements were made on the already very successful model that created the iconic 1957 T-Bird. The ’57 T-Bird enjoyed a newly restyled grille, stretched rear sheet metal introducing the wings of the new Bird, a fresh bumper design, larger taillights and improved seating.  Performance improvements included larger openings for improved cooling, revised springs rate, larger brakes, stiffer cross-members, a 12-volt battery system and new 14” wheels.  These improvements made the car more desirable than the competition and created a more stable and capable driving experience.

One big improvement for the 1957 model was the introduction of a new engine selection.  A “E” model with dual four-barrel carburetors boasting 270 horsepower. This matching numbers 1957 Ford Thunderbird, finished in Raven Black, came from the factory equipped with the rare and coveted “E”-code options.  It has the 312 cubic inch overhead valve V8 Engine with Dual Holley Four-Barrel Carburetors producing 270 horsepower.  There is a three-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive (available on only 4% of the T-Birds produced) and four-wheel drum brakes.  These rare birds created more horsepower than contemporary Chevrolet’s fuel injected 283. Only 977 were produced to qualify to run in NASCAR Speed Weeks events at Daytona Beach where it won its class by beating a Corvette.  

This E-Code is in beautiful condition and offers no excuses.  Truly an exceptional investment grade vehicle with great upside potential.  According to recent sales, August 2014 Hagerty price guide values these rare “E”-codes at $86,400 for a number two car with number 1 cars estimated at $133,000.  

This T-Bird represents the highest quality standards in restoration; a two year no expense sparred restoration in 2010 with around 250 miles since restoration.  This T-Bird is of the same quality of an Amos Minter type of restoration. The body is near perfection and appears to be all original sheet metal, never hit body.  The panels are laser straight with near perfect shut lines (see close-up pictures).  The paint is smooth and mirror like in finish.  All Chrome and trim has been renewed to show quality.  

The Interior is completely new, with seats have been completely rebuilt, all new dash and door panels, carpet, etc.  The seats have a wonderful firm feel to them.  The texture of the materials is the highest quality available.  We don’t know where the materials were purchased but are not the cheap china made junk, this is HIGHEST QUALITY materials throughout the interior.  

This rare, numbers matching E-bird has had a fresh engine rebuild in 2011 by the renowned engine builder Ronnie Groff in San Antonio, Texas. 

The engine and undercarriage are completely detailed to a very high standard.  The frame was powder coated as well many of the suspension parts.  Everything under the hood and undercarriage is new and in show condition.  

Driving this little gem is pure pleasure.  The rare 3-Speed Overdrive Manual Transmission is smooth as silk and adds to the fun factor of driving this powerful 270 horse E-Code Engine. It tracks straight down the road and brakes with authority thanks to the “Swift Sure” Power Brakes.  The engine runs flawlessly and has a very strong pull.  The car is equipped with a brand new set of Firestone Champion Wide Whitewall Tires in the correct style from the factory.  

The Yellow/Black License Plates are correct style plates for 1957 CA cars and are for display purposes only and do not come with the car.  

This Raven Black Beauty is the perfect compliment to any high-dollar collection.  This would be a wonderful car to show or drive cross-country.  This E-Code 3-Speed  car is rare in the Thunderbird world.  If you are local to Southern California you should take the time to come take a look.  This is simply as good as it gets.  

The car is available at Blue Chip Motorcars in San Juan Capistrano.  Questions can be directed to Frank at 949-310-6262.   

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

The car is for sale locally and we reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time before the end of the auction.  We do not have a Buy It Now Price listed.

The car will be made available for inspection by serious bidders throughout the auction. Please e-mail us if you would like to see the car. If you prefer, we can arrange to have a qualified, independent, professional mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection for you (at your expense).

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AS A FORM OF PAYMENT. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH THE INITIAL DEPOSIT AS WELL AS THE FINAL PAYMENT.

Winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of auction end, and make arrangements for payment at that time. A $500.00 deposit is due within 48 hours of end of auction. The deposit can be made by cash (please do not mail cash!), bank check, cashier's check, or bank transfer (preferred). The remainder is due within 10 days of Auction end. The remaining balance must be made in the form of a bank transfer (preferred) Cashier's check, or bank check (all forms of payment subject to verification). PayPal will not be accepted as a form of payment for either the deposit or the final payment. If no contact is made within 24 hours we reserve the right to re-list the vehicle, sell it to the next high bidder, or sell it otherwise. Please arrange financing prior to bidding. Once the final balance has been paid, title transfer paperwork will be initiated.

Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service, we will gladly cooperate, you can locate shippers by doing a search for “auto shippers”.  We have relationships with both domestic and international shippers should you need some assistance. 

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. 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 purchase 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 repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.  Please Check My Feedback- I value my 100% positive rating, and will do my best to keep it.

The winning bidder should have the car insured from the time the final payment is made to us. Once final payment is made, we will exercise a generally accepted standard of care, but the buyer assumes all liability and risk once the final payment is made.

Before delivery of the vehicle, the winning bidder must provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license. Delivery is defined as the time at which physical possession of the car is transferred from us, the seller, to the buyer or the buyers’ agent or chosen transport company.

If you are not sure about something, Please ASK. Do not assume anything not listed is included. We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback. We reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale.