Barn Find Exhibit! 1957 Ford Thunderbird
When one thinks of first-generation (’55-’57) Ford Thunderbirds, an image reminiscent of a furtive Suzanne Somers piloting a white ’56 in the movie American Graffiti comes to mind or perhaps one of Amos Minter’s magnificent restorations placed under the lights at a high dollar auction is conjured. Here’s a bit of a different take on the iconic Thunderbird, a purposefully looking 1957 example with a story. This T-Bird is located in Bristol, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $8,500, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Ikey H. for this tip!
By 1957 the Ford Thunderbird, as it was known, was about to change by morphing from a two-seater, known as a “Baby Bird”, into a four-seater referred to as the “Square Bird.” And while the ’57 version was the last of the two-seaters it could be distinguished from the ’56 by its notably lengthened rear section which allowed for a bigger trunk and the elimination of the rear bumper-mounted “Continental” spare tire. The bigger trunk could easily accommodate a spare tire as well as other items typically kept in a trunk. Conceptually, this was a small change but pretty significant in that it would be a one year only alteration to a body style that would cease to exist the following model year. Beyond that, the revision gives the T-Bird a longer, more streamlined appearance additionally enhanced by the modified tail fin.
This ’57 T-Bird has spent the majority of its life in Southern California. The soundness of its body, other than some quarter panel rust-through, is a testament to SoCal living as is its faded “Flame Red” finish. Beyond that and some thin chrome, the body looks straight and damage-free. The second owner, who was in possession of this Ford for 46 years, and then in her family for another thirteen years, managed to run up only 59K miles in all of that time. This Thunderbird spent the last year in the Gilmore Car Museum’s (Hickory Corners, Michigan) “Barn Find” exhibit. The faded finish, dog-bowl hubcaps and blackwall tires give this T-Bird a ready-to-rumble vibe, one not usually associated with this vintage Thunderbird. Of note is the porthole equipped removable top, it’s a nice feature but there is no folding convertible lid so top-removed motoring fun will need to be planned around the weather outlook.
The interior of this Thunderbird is spectacular. It is listed as original and unrestored and I’d say remarkable for being white as there is no visible yellowing, splits, tears, cracks or wear. The seller does advise, however, that the foam padding is starting to deteriorate. Under the dash is a non-working dealer-installed A/C unit and there are a few other shortcomings too like a missing lighter and a non-working town & country radio. I’ll go with the seller’s unrestored claim but that carpet looks too good to be original.
For power, this T-Bird has a Ford 312 CI “Y-block” V8 which develops 245 gross HP. The seller doesn’t state how well this Ford runs but it would seem from the wording in the listing that it operates as expected. There is mention made of a carburetor rebuild, charging system repairs and a new fuel tank installed so there has been some mechanical attention applied. Things under the hood look pretty original, about what you would expect, though I’m not certain about the air cleaner lid.
The seller includes a statement that reads, “This is one of those rare original cars that needs everything, yet needs nothing….” I would have to say that is well said! This T-Bird can be driven and enjoyed as is or restored like one of those beautiful Minter examples. But I have to emphasize that I think it’s pretty cool as it rests. The initial image is what caught my attention and it says a lot without saying a thing. The seller adds that he has a lot of original documentation that goes along with this Thunderbird and the family story around this car is a nice addition too. This Ford Thunderbird has an attraction that is all its own and unlike many that become available; it has a unique look about it. If you were interested in this Thunderbird, what would you do with it, keep it as is, make it look a little more original with minimal changes or restore it?
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Comments
That’s a great looking ride, have only seen a few without the skirts and dog dish hubcaps. For me the 57 was the one. Was getting all excited but alas it’s an automatic. Been a favorite design of mine as a kid, got to have the three speed with OD to be mine. Not too many of those, but I will find one. But just fix a few things and drive it as it was intended.
The fact that it has an automatic doesn’t bother me – if you’ve ever driven one, it probably didn’t take long to realize that this is no sports car. This is an iconic design but, for some people, the cockpit may feel a bit cramped. Having said that, for the right person, this could be a lot of fun – keep “as is” and enjoy.
Restore? I don’t think so. It’s original only once.
Probably the first or second car I’d buy if I won the lottery. 1957 Thunderbirds are a car that you will never own. You are only the caretaker for a while (in this case a long while) until it passes on to the next caretaker. The styling is delicate, almost feminine, but I’ve always wanted one.
This one is definitely an honest survivor. Fix the rust. Change the fluids & tires. Drive with pleasure.
Air cleaner Lid is stock; need that shape for hood clearance.Sweet looking bird!
Cheers
GPC
Yep that air cleaner does look correct. There should be a cork looking type of seal on the front portion of the air cleaner base that mated up to the hood when closed to seal off the scoop.This T-Bird is nice , I dont know if I’d mess with anything other then what it needed to be safe and just drive it when ever & where ever I wanted to, but no snow and no salt.
Amos Minter – When I was a 16 year old kid in 1976 my grandfather subscribed to “Cars & Parts” magazine. It was great!! My grandfather would go through it like a stack of baseball cards….”Had one, had one, built one,…” (Cord L-29, Auburn Boat tail – he was an A/C dealer, built the 1915 Bitsa doodle-bug…..)
In 1976 Amos Minter T-Birds were the bomb – and at $3,500 or so you could have your pick.
BTW – Grandpop gave the Cord away during the depression, gave a NJ State trooper a 100 mph ride in the Auburn and was the talk of the town in the doodle-bug. He also raced a Stutz on a board track outside of Ft. Dix here in NJ just prior to WW1
I need to go check my garage for a Barn Find Go-Back machine.
I’m far less concerned about buying an auto tranny classic than I used to be. For most cars, an auto will cost you less and a conversion to a modern 5 speed manual will increase the value accordingly as long as you preserve the original tranny. Just need to do your homework on conversion complexity for the specific car ahead of time.
Yes, that air cleaner top looks like a lost hubcap, bu it is correct, I think. Fords were marching to a different drummer back then. The T& C radio is an easy fix for the right radio guy.
I think, and i could be wrong, that it has an interior kit. I don’t remember Birds with solid white interiors. Or it was a body off at some point and was painted a different color than original. Whatever. If I had the room……….
One of my favorite cars.
Have had several,all originals,with full white interiors
Nice original bird! I hope the next owner leaves it alone and drives it just the way it is.
I always liked the two-seat T-Birds, but my attitude toward them completely changed when I saw photos like these: https://myautoworld.com/ford/history/tbird/trace/trace.html.
There is something so right about these cars stripped of their chrome and running on steel wheels. It has ruined me for any candy-apple-chrome Thunderbird.
This car makes me change my opinion of the ongoing controversy , that is only original once. I have always said ,”It’s your car and your choice to do what you would like”. However, I would love to be the “Caretaker” of this, I wouldn’t modify or restore it.
This car makes me change my usual reponse to ,” Its only original once ” I have always felt, if you own it , it is your right to do what ever you want with it. It is a free country, its your car, no one can tell you any different and I won’t. But, if I could be the Caretaker of this car, I would not modify it or restore it and I wouldn’t really own it, because it should be enjoyed by any and all Automotive enthusiasts who appreciate the orginality and history of the car. I would make it look and function as well as it did in 1957, I would drive it and show it off and arrange for another Caretaker, when I couldn’t do it anymore.
It is certainly not the rarest car on the planet and no doubt there are many fantastic restorations and some mind blowing restomods. But, this might be the one to perseve, so people would have an idea of what they were like , when they were new.
Fix the rust polish it up and drive it.
I never knew the 57s had a larger trunk!
It’s nice. I’ve always like 55-57 T-Birds and would buy one if I had any more garage space.I like that it has an automatic transmission, but don’t like that it does’t have a convertible top. I would rather have the soft top if I only had one top.
The Thunderbird lost it’s cool when it acquired a back seat. There are some really nice later Thunderbirds but the 2 seater was the direction I wish it had followed.
My dad bought a ’57 T-Bird new in Southern California, when he was in college. Red with white interior, steelies, and no fender skirts. Sold it at the end of 1960, when I was born. Could it be? Actually, the owner bought this one in ’58, according to the e-bay, so no go. But a close copy.