It’s easy to see why the ’57 Ford Thunderbird has been a popular collectible for nearly six decades. In the third and final year of the two-seater Thunderbird, the ’57 model offered an attractive styling update. The Ford Styling Department gave the ’57 a reshaped front bumper, a larger grille, tasteful tail fins, and an extended rear deck that solved the spare-tire/trunk-space issue that plagued the ’55s. (The spare tire is now stored vertically thanks to a new wheel well.) Paint color options also expanded from 10 to 15, including the first true light blue option like we see here. I believe this is called Starmist Blue, which is one good-looking color on this classic. The seller, who says the car is part of an estate sale, doesn’t share many details, history, or photos, but it looks impressive. It is currently nesting in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is for sale here on craigslist for $35,000. Another shout-out to super-spotter Curvette for sending us this beautiful bird.
Based on the posted photographs, this looks like a solid, pampered, nice restored Thunderbird. The light blue paint with its contrasting Colonial White removable hardtop presents well and I’m not seeing any rust or accident damage. The seller says the ‘Bird has the optional soft top, but there are no photos supplied. The chrome bumpers and other shiny stuff look very good as does the glass and trim. The period-correct whitewalls and the Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels give it a classy look. The elephant in the room, as they say in Cliche Land, is that extended rear bumper/Continental Kit. I’m sure there will be opinions expressed in the Comments below, but for me, that would be the first thing I’d remove. It’s not my cup of tea as the Brits say.
The number of interior color options were also increased for the ’57, including this beautiful all-white cabin. Sure, it would take extra effort to keep it clean, but what an impressive statement this makes. The white interiors I’ve seen over the years have a white steering wheel, instrument panel, and padded dash. The light blue steering wheel and lower instrument panel trim were probably added during the car’s restoration. The black carpet looks good, and although it’s hard to see, this ’57 has a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Although numbers aren’t available, most ’57 T-Birds were ordered with a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Some T-Bird aficionados estimate the number of three-speed-with-overdrive ’57s to be in the single digits.
In addition to the restyling, and the expanded paint and interior options, the other big news was the increased engine options available in ’57. The Code D 312-cubic-inch Thunderbird Special V8 was the T-Bird’s standard engine, but customers wanting more oomph could chose a Code E 270-horsepower or a Code F 300-horsepower V8. The seller says the car’s 312 “runs and drives very good” and the ad lists 5,000 miles on the odometer. The seller also describes this ’57 Thunderbird as “like new.” That claim remains to be seen, but it does look like a very clean, beautifully restored Baby ‘Bird.
It sure looks great till you see the rear view and the Continental kit.
I know some love this addition and feels it makes it look classy.
I personally live the lines without it.
A closer view should confirm it, but this seems a fair price for a very clean Baby Bird.
Ford finally gives their customers a trunk for the spare and some nome hangs the ugliest kit ever made on it.
I wonder how it handles with that monstrosity hanging off the rear? The ’56 looked good with the Continental Kit, but this one ruins the car’s looks. I’m sure there will be many who like it. I won’t be one of them.
Is that rear deck used for sunning or as a swim step/platform?
That rear bumper extension can seat two people. Tell Mr. McNamara that his four-passenger Thunderbird arrived a year early on this one.
Its just in case you want to have a Bar-B-Que out on the deck.
I was thinking a table for lunch on the road so you don’t get the interior dirty.
With that classic color for this year T- Bird, and even with the oversized continental kit, I don’t think it’s going to take long to sale for $35k. Looks really good!
Wow, a real beauty inside and out. Great price.
Positively gorgeous.
I have a 1956 ‘Bird (Fiesta Red) with a red/white interior (it had a factory white soft top but I changed it to black to match my wife’s red/black Mustang GT). In my earlier years I wasn’t a fan of continental “kits”. However, in my later years I have grown fond of them IF the vehicles were originally designed to have them (same goes for fender skirts). The ‘56s were designed to have the spare mounted on the rear bumper in order to save trunk space only to have the designers discover that it adversely affected steering and handling. I have heavy duty shocks on mine and, at the expense of a smooth ride, the handling is better (not perfect but better). Of course it is not my daily driver so, to me, it’s still a pleasure to drive. Now, the featured car here – I can only imagine the ride and handling. I agree with Mr. Denny, I would return the rear to a factory state. Otherwise, a beautiful car at a most reasonable ask. I hope that it finds a loving new home with a new owner who will enjoy his/her Baby Bird as much as my wife and I enjoy ours.
the continental kit makes the car a cousin of a clenet or one of those tacky wanna-be cars like the modern bugatti. UGLY.
id take it off like the writer stated. but I am 6’2″ so it’s all for naught as I would not be able to even fit in the car. they were not made for tall people.
I’m the same height as you and never noticed interior room to be a problem in mine. You do have to crouch over a bit to see out the side windows though, and the turbulence behind that short 45* windshield is like standing in the center of a tornado when the top is off/down at highway speed. Not very pleasant.
Like everybody else, get rid of the continental kit!!!!! Otherwise this is a great looking Bird.. Too bad it is on the wrong coast otherwise I would be tempted to park it in my garage..
I love 1957 birds but this one can do without the Continental Kit.
That transmission sets this beauty apart. I would love so much to drive it. A two-speed Ford-O-Matic seems an insult to what would be an exciting performance.
Kit ruined it. Pay extra to take it OFF !
Thats where the CIA agents stand….
Beautiful except for that spare tire.
I like the Continental Kit best on the 1955, if it is factory correct. I grew up with my family having a 1951 Kaiser Virginian with a factory Continental Kit in Mmroon and it was such a in cool car; all of we kids loved riding on the back as Dad put it in the garage.