UPDATE 07/06/2023: Few things are more frustrating for an owner than listing a classic for sale and falling foul of a non-paying buyer. That is the case with the owner of this 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The previous listing indicates it sold for $22,900, but it is back on the market with the same seller. No other details have changed with this T-Bird listed here on eBay. Bidding has raced past the reserve as a result of strong action and sits at $17,100
06/21/2023: Many enthusiasts are drawn to classics with a known ownership history, meaning they may find this 1957 Ford Thunderbird attractive. It has been part of the same family for decades, but a lack of recent use has motivated the seller to move it on to a new owner who can appreciate all this vehicle offers. They have listed it here on eBay in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.
Ford created the Personal Luxury Car segment with its First Generation Thunderbird, and it was a market that it essentially had to itself until the early 1960s. The 1957 model year was the most successful for the First Generation T-Bird, with 21,380 buyers parking one in their garage. The seller doesn’t expressly state that their grandfather was this classic’s first owner, but they provide that impression in the listing. They say he cared tremendously for this Ford, and its overall condition supports that claim. Its Code F Starmist Blue paint shines warmly with no significant chips or scratches. They admit to one repair near the left-hand headlamp, but it appears that the rest of the sheet metal might be untouched. The repair quality is not the best I have seen, but improving the appearance would not be difficult or expensive. There is no evidence or mention of rust, and the lack of corrosion in areas like the engine bay is cause for quiet optimism. The T-Bird features a White soft-top, but its condition is unknown. The tinted glass and trim are impressive for a survivor-grade car, with the whitewalls adding the perfect finishing touch.
The original owner ordered this Thunderbird with the optional D-Code 312ci V8, an automatic transmission, and power steering. That V8 should produce 245hp and 332 ft/lbs of torque, and although Ford didn’t market the Thunderbird as a sports car, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 16.4 seconds was considered very respectable. The first thing I noticed under this car’s hood was the aftermarket air cleaner, which doesn’t float my boat. A classic that is so original everywhere else deserves a factory item, and I would search for one if I found this Ford in my garage. The seller states their grandfather meticulously maintained this gem, but it has seen little recent use. The carburetor is freshly rebuilt, and a recent twenty-mile road trip confirmed it performed faultlessly. The T-Bird would probably benefit from a thorough inspection, but it appears it could be a turnkey classic.
The Data Plate confirms this Thunderbird rolled off the line with its interior finished in Code XL Dresden Blue and Starmist Blue. It retains that combination, although the seller indicates their grandfather treated the interior to a retrim approximately fifteen years ago. It isn’t perfect, but the overall condition is very acceptable for a buyer seeking a driver-quality vehicle. There are visible wrinkles and what appears to be slight discoloring on the driver’s seat base, although it might respond positively to a deep clean. The same is true of the carpet, but the rest of the interior is tidy. It features an aftermarket AM radio and a wheel wrap, but there are no other visible modifications.
This 1957 Thunderbird has much to offer a new owner, and its overall condition means it has no immediate needs. Addressing its minor shortcomings would be straightforward, but the winning bidder could preserve it as a survivor. It has already attracted forty-one bids, and I hope the seller has more luck with their listing this time. Are you tempted to help them achieve their goal by submitting a bid on this classic?
Prairie du Sac has a twin city, Sauk City, on the mighty Wisconsin River and home to Culvers, without question, the best food. Mmmmmm. There are 930 Culvers now, 23 in Colorado alone( none by me, however) I remember when Sauk City was #1.
The 4 digit license plate indicates gramps was one the 1st that enrolled in the Wisconsin collector plate program in the late 70s. My number, issued for life for that particular car( additional vehicles use the number and a letter), in the early 80s was 5 digits. No whinin’ anymore about ungrateful kids. I think I’ve made peace with, despite a few exceptions, nobody gives a darn.
Clearly, gramps was no idiot and knew what to drive. Grandma too, this was their escape. While many images show wide whites, the style at the time, recreationists go for original, but they look silly today, and as the people who want those diminish, we probably won’t see many in the future. Some mags or wires and red lines would gussy this car up a lot. Cool cars, the best of the 1st gen right here.
“Some mags or wires and red lines would gussy this car up a lot.” Mags? No no no! Wires? Yes. Red lines? – kind of like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa. Wide whites are inappropriate as well – 1957 was the first year for the ‘narrow wall’ 1″ whitewalls which this car would have had originally.
An acquaintance of my mother’s had one of these and visited one afternoon in northern Wisconsin. As a seven year old boy I spent three hours just looking at the car in the driveway. Starmist blue like this one, but with black and white upholstery. That day it became the first entry in my Dream Car Garage.
The whitewalls on the 57 Bird were reduced from the earlier 2 11/16 to 2 1/8 – not to 1 inch.
I stand corrected. Should’ve checked my facts.
Wow. 20-mile road trip.
Best deal on the Classic car market.. the reality is with 75% of Adult males over 50 obese in America most guys can’t fit in these.. back in the late 50’s average weight of a male was 150lbs..now it’s 250lbs..are we eating ourselves to death.. I tell people (I am a Physician).. Can’t make any money on healthy folks.. so the Food industry and every other Pharma industry is killing you.. like a wise man said.. follow the money.
Nag, Nag, Nag. Bet you’re a lot of fun for my annual checkup…….
Picture this please, two beautiful women (one a famous TV star) cruising around North Seattle in a red 57 Thunderbird with the top removed. Well that’s exactly what happened when Ms. Harper and her sister came to my brother’s house to pick up her sisters son who was my nephews best friend. What a sight to behold, being a 2 seater the boy about 12 years old at the time trying to sit between his mom and his aunt in that little car. It never really occurred to him that his aunt was a big star. He even got to go to Hollywood and be in one of her shows. He told me they paid him $50.00.
Boy do I like 57 T-birds especially with 2 beautiful women in it. I see the bid has gone up to over $21,000.00 now with a day left.
God Bless America
They said they didn’t like the aftermarket air cleaner well it also has a Holley carb which is not orginal, I had a car with the same 312 Thunderbird engine and changing the carb did give it more power.
I had a white 55, with both tops and a white and teal interior. I was the 2nd owner … suffice to say, that bird turned a lot of heads. Even kids loved it. I sold it 2 years ago to the 3rd owner and he is doing some restoration work on it and treating it the way it deserves to be treated. That makes me happy. Yes, go back to the original look air cleaner. Aftermarket are available that look totally original. But they have a regular filter element as opposed to an oil bath.
Original carb on 312 V8 was Holley. The Holley part number is LIST 1273-1, and the Ford number is ECZ-9510-AD
Looks like not metal hardtop meaning no portholes if original had them. this unless I misses something in the ad. Love the interior color combo. These colors looked especially beautiful on the 56 Parklane two door wagon. No hardtop means no hassle getting the very heavy top on and off, usually off and then store if or hoist it up in your garage.
All hardtops were fiberglass. Portholes were optional, no ports was standard.
Never have I been able to understand why these so called baby birds have stayed undervalued. Beautiful, too simple, easy to work on! WTH?
I think 3 of many reasons is they compete with 55-57 corvettes, many guys have said to me that if I get an old 2-seater American car, it should be a sports car. Also Baby bird’s looks are similar to Ford sedans & Corvette has it’s own sporty look. Rarity of cars can pull higher prices, Corvettes in this time period 10k vs. 53k Baby birds. Not to mention the continental spare tire on the 56 birds which most guys I know don’t like.
You mean Valerie Harper as in “Rhoda”, spin-off of Mary Tyler Moore Show?
I could have purchased a T-bird like this in 1976 for $7,000.00. I told the car dealer that I could buy a new sports car for less money, so he told me, ‘Go do it.’ I turned around and purchased a new 1976 Fiat X/1-9 for $5,600.00. My loan payment was $135.00 a month. The X/1-9 was a blast to drive, 4 years into ownership, I slid on an icy road and leveled a stop sign and damaged the left rear fender of the Fiat. I sold the Fiat wrecked for $4,000.00. I had 4 years of fun for $1,600.00 dollars. Then I got married and things went downhill (automotively) after that, ended up driving a used Plymouth Volare station wagon. Doh!
Surprised not to see the aluminum T-bird valve covers and the correct air cleaner… could they have been swapped out along the line? Both were part of a (now) ridiculously low ‘engine dress-up’ kit accessory charge (as was the standard radio cost) at order time – but, no power brakes either. Nice car nonetheless.
I’m a major fan of Thunderbirds. Each generation is notably different from the last. I love all the generations. But the 1957 model year still remains my all time favorite. As one of the posters pointed out, the 57s definitely resemble the full-size Ford Fairlane, which I think is brilliant. I can’t think of any other car before or since that has that styling trait. I think that’s what makes the 57 my favorite. In the late 70s, the TV series Vega$ features a red 57, that was in most, scenes of every episode. Even though it was a 20 year old car, it never looks out of place among the other cars which are typically full-size Ford LTDs I’m sure that Thunderbird is the main reason I watch the show. The reruns are still on every Tuesday after noon. I’m not sure how many Thunderbirds were used while filming since there are some very wild chase scenes in every episode. I have to believe those scenes were very hard on the the Thunderbird. Thanks for featuring the 57 Thunderbird in your review.
William,
You might think I’m crazy, but compare the 1956 Studebaker Scotsman lines(imagine it decapitated) and even both ends.
This is definitely one of the nicer looking Fords.
My first car was a ’67 4 door Thunderbird with the suicide doors back in ’78. I still remember how those doors closed and how quiet it was. I paid $350 for it and it had a pillow soft ride that new cars today can’t match. Unfortunately, I slid on an ice patch going downhill and messed up the front end completely by crashing into a fence. I tried fixing it myself but don’t remember what I did it with afterwards. Good memories…
Not a T-bird guy but has the car been ‘nosed’ (50’s lingo for having the front emblem removed)?
This powder blue, confirms it to be a “ ladies car”. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
I have wanted to own one of these for decades, but it is really hard for me to get in one. They are made for small people.