This 1957 Ford Thunderbird was acquired by the seller in 1983 and refurbished in 1999. Work involved repainting the white exterior, refreshing the red interior, servicing the 312ci V8, and overhauling the three-speed Fordomatic automatic transmission, brakes, suspension, and power steering. Additional equipment includes a replacement white soft top, chrome bumpers, fender skirts, lap belts, and parking lights. This Thunderbird is now offered with a shop manual, records from the 1999 refurbishment, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The car was factory-finished in Colonial White and refinished in 1999. Additional work included body repairs, re-chroming the bumpers, and replacing the white soft top, the weatherstripping, and the exterior trim. Exterior details include a Thunderbird hood emblem, fender vents, fender skirts, a hood scoop, bumper-mounted auxiliary parking lights, a fixed antenna, and slanted tail fins. Close-up exterior photos are shown in the gallery.
The 14″ steel wheels wear turbine covers and are mounted with Firestone whitewall tires. The drum brakes, suspension, and power steering system were rebuilt in 1999.
The bench seat was re-padded and reupholstered in red vinyl during the refurbishment, and interior work also involved dyeing the dashboard, re-chroming the steering column, installing aluminum-finish trim, and replacing various components throughout the cabin as detailed on an invoice shown in the gallery. Appointments include a heater, a floor-mounted shifter, lap belts, and a locking glovebox. The aftermarket radio does not work.
The three-spoke steering wheel frames a centrally mounted 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 78k miles, approximately 6k of which were added under current ownership.
The D-code 312ci Y-block V8 is topped with a four-barrel carburetor and was factory rated at 245 horsepower. An engine-out service was completed in 1999 and involved replacing the oil pump, gaskets, water pump, tune-up, components, and fan belts. Additional work included replacing the fuel tank and associated components and rebuilding the carburetor.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission, which was overhauled in 1999.
Decoding the data plate reveals the following production information:
- Body Style: 40 – Thunderbird
- Exterior Paint: EE – Colonial White
- Interior Trim: XH – Pleated Flame Vinyl
- Build Date: 09E – May 9, 1956 build date
- Trans: 3 – Fordomatic transmission
- Axle: 1 – 3.10:1 rear axle ratio