First-generation Ford Thunderbirds (1955-57) were 2-seat personal luxury cars. They sold well enough but would do even better when the 1958 redesign brought seating for four. A rare 1957 T-Bird is the E-Code edition which came with a 312 cubic inch V8 having twin 4-barrel carburetors. This edition started as an E-Code car, but the original set-up has been discarded in favor of a single carb (and manifold). We’re told it runs, but needs work, and can be found in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Ford is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $26,000 has yet to be cast. A possible bargain waiting to be had?
The original Thunderbird was intended to help generate dealer showroom traffic, and the car succeeded at more than 53,000 units in three years. Changes to the styling of the car in its third year (’57) were evolutionary and created a product that today may be the most desirable of first-run autos. Those T-Birds enjoyed a longer than usual production cycle as the 1958 models were not available until the end of the calendar year 1957 (instead of in the Fall). The T-Bird wasn’t perceived as a performance car, but if you wanted style plus some extra speed, the E-Code 312 brought an extra carburetor to the mix. Estimates are that fewer than 1,500 of them were built this way.
We’re told that this Thunderbird is a “barn find” (sometimes overused term) that was in storage for many years. It’s said to be mostly original (except for the MIA E-Code hardware) and there is some rust to be eradicated in the sheet metal and chassis. Despite this, the seller says the Ford runs and drives, though we don’t know how well. The car comes with a removable hardtop, but the mechanism for the convertible top has flown the coop.
This seems like a well-equipped T-Bird that has a functional interior, but it needs restoring, too. This looks like a good candidate for a project and – ideally – you’d go back to the 270 hp, twin Holley set-up, as long as finding the necessary parts doesn’t prove to be elusive. In Ford circles, this was known as the “Thunderbird Super V8”.
BF: “The car comes with a removable hardtop, but the mechanism for the convertible top has flown the coop.”
More likely it never had a convertible top to begin with. The hardtop was standard equipment and no soft top was included. To get the soft top, you could order it in place of the hardtop at no extra cost. If you wanted both tops, you had to pay extra for the soft top. This car is overpriced for what it is judging from recent online auction results.
Bidding has ended on this item. With no bids posted.
Hopefully people are getting a grip on reality. A non running not original car that basically needs a complete restoration. If you can get 5k out of it be happy. But these people that are starting 15 to 25 thousand in the hole. Then you’re looking at another 50 to 70 thousand in restoration…. Just WOW.. very few of these cars are ever going to be worth 80 to 100 grand.
These cars were collectibles off the show room floor .a lot of them survived. There are helpful collectors that can steer you away from bad deals if you want.
As the owner of a ’57, I’d say this car is way overpriced. I gave $38k for mine which included all chrome redone, all interior redone, body redone and a repaint, new rubber, almost new tires, and AC by Vintage Air.
You can generally purchase a ‘57 in extremely nice condition in this owners asking price, this car should start about 10k less. Another owner oblivious of the car’s current value range, didn’t do the research or simply not really interested in selling unless someone in willing to grossly overpay
I don’t think I ever saw a 57 TBird that wasn’t unrestored, or at least repainted. I kind of like the little bit of rust that’s showing. I agree about going back to the original engine build though.
It looks like this Bird has been repainted. The picture of the engine bay shows the firewall to be Willow Green. Cars were sprayed one color on the assembly line before the engine was installed.
The firewall definitely looks Willow Green but I’m guessing it might just be the angle- the data plate
shows an F paint code which is the Starmist Blue that it is wearing…Also I wonder if the Yblock was completely replaced or if the 2×4 teapot Holleys and manifold were taken off…they could be something of a fire hazard the way the bowl sits… either way it’s kind of sad— very rare-I’ve got an E-code in my 57 Custom 300 2dr…It’s a super strong engine- it was really a beast in the Thunderbird. Good article Russ!
That carburetor looks more like a Carter WCFB.
It has always seemed to me ,even going back for years the prices on the baby birds have never made sense. They go from around 20 K to way over a 100 k , for a running driving car. They are cool cars and if you want one, there is a good chance you will find one for your budget.
Chingawa! Those eight barreled pots would really suck the gas. But then, with gas at .49/gallon, who cares?
We just sold a complete, dual 4 set, had the trash can filter dual 4 air cleaner, complete,
$4500. plus 200 shipping with insurance.
Be sure and figure that into your restoration costs !
Have an F for sale.
BF: “The car comes with a removable hardtop, but the mechanism for the convertible top has flown the coop.”
My comment yesterday seems to have vanished, so will try again.
More likely this car never had a convertible top to begin with, not that it “flew the coop.” The hardtop was standard — no soft top included. You could order a car with the soft top instead of the hard top at no extra cost but if you wanted both tops you had to pay extra for the soft top.
As I noted yesterday, this car is overpriced for what it is.
There are nice ones for sale for way less than you would have in this turd when you are done
Ever since I was a kid the 57 Thunderbird has been one of my top 3 favorites of all-time. However, with Thunderbirds each generation brings something new to like which makes each generation stand on its own. The 58 4 seaters were a completely different car from the previous years. I like them all. On 1974 the Thunderbird reached its largest size, it shares the chassis and interior basics with its cousin, the Lincoln Continental Mark IV. The 74 through 76 were very luxurious Personal Luxury Cars, which the original Thunderbirds created back in the 50s. In any event, there’s no doubt you will pay big money for most Thunderbird generations. But I have to agree with the other posters, this one is way over priced for its current condition. It will cost as much as its current asking price to return it to the condition it deserves to be in. We would all love to have a 57 Thunderbird, but for the asking price and the restoration costs, I don’t see this one fulfilling the Thunderbird dream.