Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
The final year of the “Baby Bird” came about in 1957, and with it the most refined attributes. Styling of late-1950's cars had reached a peak and nearly all manufacturers were sporting fins, an art deco design, and, of course, enough chrome to sink a ship! 1957 would mark the final year of the famous 2-seater roadster for the next 45 years! They are highly prized in collections around the world for their eye catching looks!
Details About Our 1957 Thunderbird For Sale:
This beautiful 1957 Ford Thunderbird is finished in code-correct FE- Starmist Blue with Colonial White & Starmist Blue pleated vinyl interior. Powered by the reliable 312ci 4bbl V8 and Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, it offers an eager 245 total horsepower! This classic Thunderbird is optioned with Master-Guide power steering, telescopic steering column, Swift-Sure power brakes, power windows, upgraded AM/FM/Cassette radio in stock location, heater/defrost, aftermarket air conditioning, See-Clear windshield washer, matching Starmist Blue porthole hardtop (originally Colonial White), an aftermarket accessory white vinyl soft top, and back-up lights. Additional options continue with complete with fender skirts, 14x5” Kelsey Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels with Coker Classic radial whitewall tires, and polished engine dress-up kit. We are proud to offer for sale a Thunderbird that is as wonderful to admire as it is to drive!
This classic received a very impressive restoration with the former owners of 27 years. They purchased this rust-free T-Bird from Texas Thunderbird expert Amos Minter after he found it New Mexico in April 1994. They proceeded to have him complete a full mechanical overhaul of both the drivetrain and driveline. After cleaning and degreasing the block, machining work included .030 over bore, new pistons, wrist pin bushings and piston rings, freeze plugs, new camshaft, turned crank .010-.010, cam & rod bearings, main bearings, full valve job, all new gaskets, rear main seal, new fuel pump, oil pump & drive, spin-on oil filter adapter, rebuilt water pump, new hoses, timing gear set, rebuilt generator & starter, all new engine wire looms, belts, spark plugs & wires, upgraded electronic ignition, all fluids, and far too many other small parts to list here. The automatic transmission would be completely rebuilt in the process.
The entire front and rear suspensions were removed, cleaned, detailed & reassembled with new control arm bushings, shocks, springs, ball joints, stabilizer rod bushings, along with all new brake components and new stainless steel fuel tank installed. This service was completed to ensure this lovely Thunderbird would provide years of faithful service to its new female owner as a gift from her husband. The cost in 1994 to complete this major overhaul totaled over $8,500, equal to about $15,000 in today's dollars.
It would be enjoyed in their northern Illinois area for the next 27 years with annual maintenance taken care of during the short driving season. The aging exterior paint finish was addressed in February 2001 to bring it back to show worthy presentation again. The entire car would be completely stripped to bare metal, allowing all body surfaces to be smoothed straight, primered multiple times & block sanded to perfection before being painted in base coat, clearcoat fashion.The finished results were completed 10 months later in early 2002.
Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it received new front & rear brake cylinders, with a bleed and adjustment to the braking system, repacked wheel bearings, lubed chassis, new intake manifolds gaskets, complete air conditioning service with new R134a service ports and charged up for summer use, new air filter, new fuel filter, fresh engine oil/filter, cleaning of the carb, new spark plugs, and new power window switches.
It is wonderfully detailed throughout the engine bay all the way to the trunk with proper matting and presentation of the spare tire, jack, and tools. The interior seat upholstery was replaced at some point in the past while the exterior chrome and work are all in good, original condition making this a wonderful investment to show proudly and enjoy for weekend cruising! It will come with an owner's manual, mechanical restoration receipts, and photo-documented paint receipt included with the sale. They show a terrific, rust-free body in the images to begin with. Overall, this beautiful classic Thunderbird continues to show quite well considering the age of the restoration. To learn more about our available 1957 Thunderbird contact Jon Faust at (314)993-1330 or by emailing info@stlouiscarmuseum.com.
1957 Ford
Thunderbird Convertible
Quick Specs
Highlights
- Under that same ownership for the past 27 years!
- Former New Mexico and Texas car through 1994!
- Presented in Starmist Blue over two-tone Colonial White/Starmist Blue interior!
- Loaded with options to include air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, two tops, chrome wire wheels, power windows, and more!
- Fully rebuilt mechanically! Great driver!!
Description
The final year of the “Baby Bird” came about in 1957, and with it the most refined attributes. Styling of late-1950's cars had reached a peak and nearly all manufacturers were sporting fins, an art deco design, and, of course, enough chrome to sink a ship! 1957 would mark the final year of the famous 2-seater roadster for the next 45 years! They are highly prized in collections around the world for their eye catching looks!
Details About Our 1957 Thunderbird For Sale:
This beautiful 1957 Ford Thunderbird is finished in code-correct FE- Starmist Blue with Colonial White & Starmist Blue pleated vinyl interior. Powered by the reliable 312ci 4bbl V8 and Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, it offers an eager 245 total horsepower! This classic Thunderbird is optioned with Master-Guide power steering, telescopic steering column, Swift-Sure power brakes, power windows, upgraded AM/FM/Cassette radio in stock location, heater/defrost, aftermarket air conditioning, See-Clear windshield washer, matching Starmist Blue porthole hardtop (originally Colonial White), an aftermarket accessory white vinyl soft top, and back-up lights. Additional options continue with complete with fender skirts, 14x5” Kelsey Hayes chrome wire spoke wheels with Coker Classic radial whitewall tires, and polished engine dress-up kit. We are proud to offer for sale a Thunderbird that is as wonderful to admire as it is to drive!
This classic received a very impressive restoration with the former owners of 27 years. They purchased this rust-free T-Bird from Texas Thunderbird expert Amos Minter after he found it New Mexico in April 1994. They proceeded to have him complete a full mechanical overhaul of both the drivetrain and driveline. After cleaning and degreasing the block, machining work included .030 over bore, new pistons, wrist pin bushings and piston rings, freeze plugs, new camshaft, turned crank .010-.010, cam & rod bearings, main bearings, full valve job, all new gaskets, rear main seal, new fuel pump, oil pump & drive, spin-on oil filter adapter, rebuilt water pump, new hoses, timing gear set, rebuilt generator & starter, all new engine wire looms, belts, spark plugs & wires, upgraded electronic ignition, all fluids, and far too many other small parts to list here. The automatic transmission would be completely rebuilt in the process.
The entire front and rear suspensions were removed, cleaned, detailed & reassembled with new control arm bushings, shocks, springs, ball joints, stabilizer rod bushings, along with all new brake components and new stainless steel fuel tank installed. This service was completed to ensure this lovely Thunderbird would provide years of faithful service to its new female owner as a gift from her husband. The cost in 1994 to complete this major overhaul totaled over $8,500, equal to about $15,000 in today's dollars.
It would be enjoyed in their northern Illinois area for the next 27 years with annual maintenance taken care of during the short driving season. The aging exterior paint finish was addressed in February 2001 to bring it back to show worthy presentation again. The entire car would be completely stripped to bare metal, allowing all body surfaces to be smoothed straight, primered multiple times & block sanded to perfection before being painted in base coat, clearcoat fashion.The finished results were completed 10 months later in early 2002.
Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it received new front & rear brake cylinders, with a bleed and adjustment to the braking system, repacked wheel bearings, lubed chassis, new intake manifolds gaskets, complete air conditioning service with new R134a service ports and charged up for summer use, new air filter, new fuel filter, fresh engine oil/filter, cleaning of the carb, new spark plugs, and new power window switches.
It is wonderfully detailed throughout the engine bay all the way to the trunk with proper matting and presentation of the spare tire, jack, and tools. The interior seat upholstery was replaced at some point in the past while the exterior chrome and work are all in good, original condition making this a wonderful investment to show proudly and enjoy for weekend cruising! It will come with an owner's manual, mechanical restoration receipts, and photo-documented paint receipt included with the sale. They show a terrific, rust-free body in the images to begin with. Overall, this beautiful classic Thunderbird continues to show quite well considering the age of the restoration. To learn more about our available 1957 Thunderbird contact Jon Faust at (314)993-1330 or by emailing info@stlouiscarmuseum.com.
1957 Ford
Thunderbird Convertible
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