The original 2-seater 1955-57 Thunderbird has been a collectible for decades. Heck, the first owner’s club was formed in 1962, just five years after the last ’57 Thunderbird left the factory in order to make room for the all new four-seater ’58. Interest in these iconic cars got a boost back in 1973 with the release of George Lucas’s American Graffiti, a nostalgic coming-of-age movie that captured the teenager California cruising culture of the early 1960’s. One of the most memorable vignettes is the “mysterious blonde” who drove around in a white 1956 Thunderbird. Although she doesn’t speak, actress Suzanne Somers mouths “I love you” to the character Curt, played by Richard Dreyfuss, at a stoplight, that sends the straight-laced Curt into a hormonal tizzy (“I just saw a vision! I just saw a goddess! She spoke to me right through the window! I think she said ‘I love you!”). This small role ended up launching the career of Suzanne Somers and still gets mentioned more than 50 years later whenever people see a white two-seater Thunderbird with porthole windows.
I bring up the American Graffiti movie reference because that’s how the seller describes this particular car (American Graffiti Thunderbird) although they admit in the ad that the internet tells them the white Thunderbird featured in this movie was a 1956 model, not a ’57. This ‘Baby Bird is part of an estate sale and the seller is honest in sharing that they “do not know anything about cars or if it will start.” Notes from the decedent indicates that the engine is a 312 V8, it has a 3-speed with overdrive transmission, it’s a hardtop only, and there is some rust (although there are no specifics).
Based on the supplied photos, this ’57 Thunderbird has seen the inside of a garage for decades. The seller states that the ‘Bird was purchased in 1991 with 92,792 miles on the odometer. Now, 34 years later, the odometer reads 93,001. With only 272 miles added in 34 years, this Thunderbird has definitely been slumbering and snoozing inside a cozy garage. It’s dusty and could use a good cleaning inside and out, but it appears to be all there and in good condition. The Colonial White paint looks presentable and I’m not seeing the “some rust” the seller mentions, but there are also no photos of the ‘Bird’s undercarriage or trunk area. The panels appear straight and I’m not spotting any accident damage. The white removable hardtop with the iconic porthole windows looks good, but this ‘Bird wasn’t ordered with the soft top option stashed behind the front bench seat.
Interior color options were expanded from five to six for the 1957 model year and solid colors were available for the first time. This ‘Bird has the classic contrasting Code XA black and white vinyl interior. Photo details are limited, but it appears to be in good shape. The ribbed vinyl seats aren’t showing wear and the padded dash, door panels, steering wheel, and the new-for-’57 instrument cluster look very good. The passenger window has been lowered which may explain the layer of dust in the interior.
Under the T-Bird’s front-hinged hood is the D Series 312-cubic-inch V8. When new, this 4-barrel carb, 245-horsepower engine had 0-60 mph times in the 10-second range and a top speed of about 115 mph. This one came from the factory with a 3-speed/overdrive manual transmission and mileage is list at 93,001, which is probably original. I imagine this ‘Bird will need engine and other mechanical attention before it is safe and roadworthy again. Hopefully, it’s the usual stuff from sitting to long and nothing major. This solid-looking ’57 T-Bird is currently in Kennewick, Washington, and is for sale here on craigslist for a reasonable $18,000. Another shout out to Curvette for spotting this Baby ‘Bird and bringing it to our attention. How would you like to be the lucky next caretaker?
Looks and sounds like a great deal, someone will jump on this.
I’d check your math.
Duh….thanks, Will. Now you know why I’m not an accountant. I’ve revised the mileage total…
Once again, I;d buy it in a heartbeat, but at age 75 I don’t want to be single.
“Under the T-Bird’s front-hinged hood is the standard V8 for ’57: the D Series 312-cubic-inch V8.”
The D-code 312 was not the standard ’57 T-Bird V8 — the C-code 292 was. That engine was offered only with the 3-speed manual without overdrive. To get the overdrive 3-speed like in this car or the automatic you had to order a 312, which cost an additional $123 in D-code, single 4-barrel form (dual 4-barrel and supercharged versions also available).
This looks like a low-optioned ‘Bird: Crank windows, no power brakes or power steering. Also looks like a possible steal at the price.
Vance, thank you for letting me know about the standard engine for ’57. D’Oh! My error. It has been corrected in the article.
No problem. The D code 312 is certainly the most often seen engine in these, so it’s not a stretch to think of it as standard equipment.
I adored that movie, I,,,was without question, Curt. I drove a 1958 Volvo, a high school loser, never made it with the ladies, and what happened to Curt, only happens in the movies, sorry, I never had a gal like Suzanne Somers wink at me in a T-bird. I think Lucas took a composite of 100 guys and came up with “Curt”. It’s simply amazing what a transformation the car underwent in ’58, hardly the same car. THAT’S how the car industry was back then, new meant new, not a “new” info screen,,,sheesh. Wonderful car. I read, Lucas used this car because he always wanted a ’57 T-Bird, but no actual record he ever owned one.
looks good. buyers for these are slowly aging out and the values are all over as well
Not sure if someone did not bother to fully close the doors and the hood, but there seems to be a fitment problem that raises some questions, primarily if they do not close properly, what’s up with that? I see a good share of ’57s and I do not see that problem with them. If it has been in the barn for as long as we see in the numbers, I hope no one tries to start it with whatever liquid there is left in the fuel tank. could be a super buy if all the fitment issues are none existing and it is just a matter of properly closing everything.
It doesn’t appear to have a factory hardtop but an aftermarket one. Note the color mismatch as well.