Optioned Oh So Right: 1957 Ford Thunderbird
The 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbirds are an indelible part of American culture. From Suzanne Somers’ appearance in a Thunderbird in the movie “American Grafitti” to Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” video, white ones specifically drive around in our subconscious. If you are looking for a well-optioned example, then reader Pat L. has found the car for you. Look at this 1957 Ford Thunderbird for sale on Craigslist in Watsonville, California. Fresh out of long-term ownership, this E-code Thunderbird has a hard top, two four-barrel carburetors, and a three-speed with an overdrive. Is this minty “Bird worth the $69,500 asking price?
If you haven’t spent your life in a cave, then you probably already know the story of the first series of Thunderbirds. To recap, this car was built partly as a response to Chevrolet’s Corvette. What happened was that these cars ended up as sporty luxury cars instead of true sportscars. Sales were so much better than those of the Corvette that some goofy bean counter thought that the Thunderbird would sell even better if it had four seats.
That financially wise but aesthetically questionable decision did a lot to make the first series special. While I have lately grown fond of the second series Squarebirds, the earlier cars just had that perfect look. That is when they weren’t weighted down with a gaudy external spare tire carrier in the rear. That monstrosity that many Thunderbirds were burdened with is like painting a decrepit mobile home in the background of the Mona Lisa. It is an affront to the eyes and the sensibilities of anyone with even a modicum of culture. Thank goodness the spare was moved into the trunk in 1957.
So, how would I order one in 1957 being that I am picky about my Thunderbird options? The 1957 Thunderbird you see here would do just nicely. White wouldn’t be my first choice of colors as black has always been my go-to. However, I would want a strong engine and a manual transmission. This one has the E-code specific 312 cubic inch V-8 with optional twin four-barrel carburetors that produced 270 horsepower. It may have also had the special longer-duration camshaft and dual valve springs option available on that engine, but we don’t know for sure. The documentation for this car is not mentioned in the ad but is worth asking about.
The car does have the optional hard top that would be good for winter driving. We can also see that it has manual windows rather than optional power window lifts. It would be a benefit to the seller to tell us if it has any options beyond this, such as power steering or power brakes. These may not have been an option on a high-horsepower car with a manual transmission. Hopefully, we have a few readers who can tell us what would be proper on this car. In my mind, the fewer power options the better to save weight and not rob precious horsepower from the engine.
Unfortunately, the picture of the engine doesn’t reveal much beyond the fancy Thunderbird-specific valve covers. The rest of the pictures show a car that looks to be very well-kept. Is it restored or original? We don’t know, and I hope that the seller has more background information about the car. Thunderbird prices are on the wane even for well-optioned cars. This E-code is a special car, but you need special car documentation to command special car prices.
If you are looking for a great Thunderbird with the right options, this may be the one. It is worth a closer look. However, I’d want to see it in person. I’d also bring along a bonafide expert just to make sure.
What if you could order a new 1957 Ford Thunderbird today? What options would you order it with? Please peruse the list here, then let us know what your dream Thunderbird would come with in the comments.
Comments
Let’s be “square” here. Henry Ford Decreed that the 2-seat Thunderbird would only be a 2 year (it was extended to three) offering, second, the T-bird was not in response to the Corvette, but was a Ford generated idea – And the reason it was not touted as a sports car, but rather as a sporty” car. Ford was correct as it killed Corvette in sales and almost sent it to the scrap pile. (we’ll be talking about this in our Summer issue of over-drive-magazine.com. The 4-seat car was in design even as the two-seat car bowed not a bean counter deal at all – and it created the sport luxury car class.
This is one of those cars that 1) it’s a legitimate E-Bird, 2) has documention to prove that. 3) has all the original and correct parts and 4) is numbers matching, then you have quite a car there.
I’m not that up on 57 T-Birds, but the red and white interior looks strange to me. Might be legit, but doesn’t look right none the less. I admit, I would find it refreshing to have it sitting next to my 94.
My favorite T-Bird. Except for being white, instead of red, I remember Robert Urich flying down the Strip, and whipping into the Desert Inn, on the TV show “Vegas”, new gens wouldn’t know about that. Actually, the spare tire was in the trunk in 55, but buyers complained about the lack of trunk space, so the 56 got the continental treatment, the 57s were a little longer, with a bigger trunk, so back in the trunk the spare went. This one’s pretty rare with the E-Code option, whether or not, it’s original or restored, it’s a beautiful car. Price is plenty high, but hey, if a “seen on every street corner” Corvette can fetch those kind of bucks, why not a beautiful Bird.
Price may be a bit optimistic given the market for these. The most recent E-Bird to sell on BaT went for a no-reserve $40.5k in February. Three more E-code Birds offered since didn’t meet reserve, though none were manuals. One was bid to $62.5k, one to $36,250 and one to $45,750.
This is a cool car, especially with the manual overdrive, but doubt it’s $69.5k cool.
Thanks for the American Graffiti reference, defined our existence, it did, hers was a ’56, but there was that one gal,,Beach Boys knew her,, go ahead, sing along, it may be the best part of your day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brZfudD4vKA
About 20 K high.
…and not one picture of the underside.
…and not one picture of the underside.
Does this have the makings of a scam? Thumbs up if you think so.
I don’t see why you think this might be a scam. The general consensus is that this is overpriced, which is not the usual hallmark of a scam.
Really it it’s a E Bird it is sort or a deal.
She drove a 56 T bird
You could get one in pink! Friend’s mom let him drive it and he rear ended a car ogling girls. Much damage to front End. He didn’t drive it after that.
Imagine if you will a beautiful Spring day in May, very much like today. I think to myself what a great day for a country ride in the bird, so I head to the garage, open the big door for fresh air in the garage, then I fire up this beautiful 57 Thunderbird as she sits there warming up, I check all the lights for proper function, press the brake pedal to feel the brakes come to life. As I drive out of my driveway I look to see if any of my neighbors are watching so I can grin and wave on my way to a wonderful country drive. As I leave my neighborhood heading toward the country I push the accelerator to the floor and get a good response to the power of the V8 under the hood. Once outside the city I find a lowly populated road with hills and curves that bring the car to life. With my hair blowing in the wind as I’m going without the top on this warm sunny day I power through the gears gliding around the curves and over the hills occasionally waving to a country dweller as I proudly pass them by. I spot a country store and stop for refreshments and conversation with the locals. They all have great stories and memories of the days when the 57 was a new or nearly new car. Some venture out to get a close look at this beautiful bird as they tell their stories and point out certain things they remember. Some of the younger ones only look on in admiration and dream of the day they can do something like this as well.
It’s a fantasy of course, but imagine if you will the pleasure of such an experience. Is that dream worth $70,000.00? Let your conscience be your guide and check your wallet for advise.
God Bless America
Nice car. But how do you get rid of that “minty” odor?
Hire a de-minter.
Imagine if you will me pulling out my 55 yellow Bird out of my upstate NY town of Binghamton and driving it down17 future 86. Taking a ramp and really not caring for the handling. But remembering at 17 years old loving it!!! Getting it going as fast as I could on Stratmill rd!!!! FF pulling my 2002 Bird out and really enjoying the 02 as I do today now in the free state of Knoxville Tennessee!!!!! Ahhhhhh much much much much better!
Free state of Knoxville, Tennessee? Did they secede or something?
$44,000.00 and a “handshake”. Times are changing. Good luck.