The first-generation Ford Thunderbirds (aka T-Birds) have often been compared to the early Chevy Corvettes, but that’s not a fair comparison. Sure, they were both 2-seaters, but while the ‘Vette was considered a sports car, the T-Bird was an early personal luxury vehicle. And the 1955-57 Thunderbirds sold better than the 1953-55 Corvettes. This ’57 T-Bird was last driven about 30 years ago and recently rescued from a barn. It looks like a solid candidate for a restoration, although the title was lost years ago. Located in Grants Pass, Oregon, the seller is looking to get $14,950 here on craigslist. Thanks for the tip, Matt H.!

Ford’s Thunderbird would be the company’s first 2-seat automobile since 1938. It was developed after Ford execs saw the Corvette at the 1953 Motorama display at the New York Auto Show. That car was created in response to the growing popularity of European sports cars in the U.S. But Ford opted to make it “a personal car of distinction” as the advertising would say, so creature comforts and a V8 engine would become the order of the day. Before the suits decided that the T-Bird should have a back seat, more than 53,000 Thunderbirds were built between 1955-57, with the ‘57s seeing the most success at 21,000 copies. The production run had been extended due to the late arrival of the new ’58s.

As the story goes, this was a running car when its elderly lady owner decided to quit driving in the 1990s. The car found itself stashed away after that in a barn on a large historic property by the Rogue River. Her heirs decided it was finally time for it to go and the seller hauled it away. Unfortunately, the only photos provided show it on a trailer as it would be cool to see what it looked like all tucked away in storage. The car originated in California and comes complete with California black plates and a removable hardtop.

The car’s paint combination looks to be Colonial White over Starmist Blue and is dirty and faded for its time in the lock-up. There is some surface rust along the bottoms of the rear quarter panels, but nothing problematic is revealed in the other pics. These cars were available only with V8 engines, so either a 292 or one of several 312 cubic inch motors were available. We don’t know which applies to this car, so perhaps an astute T-Bird fan will be able to enlighten us. An automatic transmission shifter appears in the floorboard of the interior which looks in good condition considering the age of the car.

As mentioned earlier, there is no title, but these cars can be worth north of $60,000 when restored (according to Hagerty). One in Fair condition is said to be a $16,000 auto, so it looks as though the seller has priced the car appropriately for today’s laws of supply and demand. As a side note, the 1957 Thunderbird was the last 2-seater car that Ford sold until the Ford EXP sport compact car in 1982.