People often lump the first generation of the Ford Thunderbird and the 1953-55 Chevy Corvette into the same category, i.e., they’re sports cars. But that’s not really correct. While the T-Bird was a 2-seater like the ‘Vette, it was considered a personal luxury car. And it sold much better than the Corvette and gained a back seat with the 1958 redesign. This 1957 edition comes with limited information, but one of the photos suggests this was “Grandpa’s” car that is now up for sale.
Compared to 4,460 Corvettes built during its first three years, the Ford Thunderbird sold 53,166 copies in the same span of time. While that was considered a healthy number, Ford felt the car could do better with a back seat (capable of transporting four folks instead of 2), so the auto was expanded in 1958. And the “brain trust” was correct as more than 198,000 T-Birds left the factory from 1958 through 1960.
Styling was adjusted for the 1957 model year, and the cars took on a longer, sleeker look that appeals to buyers even 57 years later. These cars always came with a V8 engine as standard, and the choices in 1957 were 292 and 312 cubic inches with the latter even offering a supercharger. We don’t know which version is in the seller’s car and the lone photo of the engine compartment doesn’t help much. An automatic transmission is there to take care of the shifting of gears.
Details are few, including the mileage. The light blue paint looks rather nice, so a prior repaint is assumed. And the top with the famous T-Bird porthole looks to have a vinyl covering. The vinyl interior could be original but everything here seems to be in order. A dealer or third party may be involved in the sale of this property in Conway, Arkansas, and the current bid here on eBay is $15,100, reserve unmet.
67 years later, no?
First they’re blurring out license plates, and now they’re blurring out Grandpa’s face. Orwell was right.
Suspenders tell the story here. The trailer park tells me, when ma and pa sold the farm, the T-bird either came with them, bought new, you know, OR, a more likely scenario, sold the farm and moved to the trailer park and bought the car reminding him of his youth. Turn the page, pa passed on, ma sold it cheap to pay for pas( or her) health costs, and the seller doesn’t know squat about it, which is typical. Time for the vultures to move in, and it will be passed around like a collection plate on Sunday, each trying to cash in. Hopefully, eventually someone will appreciate ol’ suspenders gorgeous car.
Always liked these Thunder Birds. The closest I’ll get will be if I snag one of the last Gen models. In spirit anyway. Driving one of those old Birds must be an experience.
I don’t know, don’t you bust your head on the roof, every time you get in and out of the car, same with early Corvettes? And don’t your legs go to sleep, stretched out, straight in front of you?
That photo may be staged ; the ad says things like “financing available” so its a dealer selling it. For all we know that old guy could be the salesman’s Grandpa
The car is being advertised and sold for the owner. The seller, FSBO (For Sale By Owner) is a company that helps individuals sell houses, cars and other things for a fee. That’s why they can provide financing, shipping, etc. It’s not all that much different than having a dealer sell a car on consignment.
Although the car looks nice, there is something shady with the way it’s advertised. As a side note, an old friend of mine had a 55 ‘bird this color in high school. That was one sweet car.
This color makes any car look cheap!
Yes, it reminds me of a Earl Scheib paint job.
Thunderbird ruined it with the back seat. Not the same car. But. Corvette did not come into its own until a year later….1958. This beauty in no way compared to earlier Corvettes still trying to find their niche.
Wanna bet Grandpa’s trying to line his pockets with this beauty. Does he really want to sell? Over $16k and Reserve still not met.
What’s with the small cutout at the leading edge on both of those skirts, and are we seeing what looks to be a vinal top roof? Didn’t think vinal roofs came in until the 70’s
What you’re seeing is an aftermarket protective cover to protect the paint where the sheet metal flares out in front of the wheel. Kinda Old Skool Cool actually.
What you see on the front of the fender skirts are chrome rock deflectors built into the skirt.
Why do sooooo many tbirds have a black engine compartment? Black is correct for only one color! Can you guess?
Good one. 🤣🤣🤣
Maybe they were all black under the hood, which would make sense from an assembly line standpoint – as the frame and engine compartment would be finished first in black and then the body put on with whatever color it was. Maybe someone knows the answer to this more definitely.
A Dee: Body color under the hood at factory so car may have been black originally. People do spray compartments black when the body color gets beat up though.
Vinyl hardtop covering TOTALLY WRONG.. Strip it off and paint the top body color or white. These ’57s are VERY plentiful. Many, many were saved and are still available. Top money is around $28-30K for driver quality. Starmist blue is a common color, along with Raven black. These are much more desireable with PS and PB. Watch out for rust – otherwise they are reliable and easy to work on (from experience).
Totally agree. — A vinyl roof – and that is indeed a “vinyl roof” with it’s seams clearly showing – is totally off and really out of character weird with a ’57 T-bird. — It should definitely be removed and professionally returned to the color – probably white – of what ’57 T-birds came with from the factory.
The picture with grandpa looks like the same guy with a Toyota Supra hat was on eBay last week.