The 1957 Ford Thunderbird is one of those cars that needs no introduction. With its low-slung lines, subtle fins, and unmistakable style, the T-Bird quickly became one of the most recognizable American cars of the 1950s. Now up for grabs here on eBay is this 1957 example, a black, manual-shift car that’s been off the road for years but comes with good bones and a collection of extra parts to help bring it back.
According to the seller, this Thunderbird originally left the factory with a 292 cubic-inch V8. Somewhere along the way, it was upgraded to a 390 cubic-inch Ford V8, making around 300 horsepower. That engine is backed by a manual transmission with a new clutch and flywheel already installed. A brand-new fuel tank has also been fitted, so some of the early headaches of project ownership have been addressed.
The good news continues with the structure of the car. The frame is solid, the body is not rusty, and the floors are reported to be in solid shape as well. The one known weak spot is the spare tire well, which shows rust at the bottom. The car currently comes with only a hard top, no soft top, and the rear bumper is missing. Thankfully, a number of extra parts are included with the sale, and the seller has indicated photos of those will follow.
The Thunderbird wears a black exterior over a black interior, giving it a clean and timeless look once restored. With about 60,000 miles showing, the car has been parked for many years and will require a full restoration before it’s roadworthy again. Still, it’s hard to overstate the appeal of a first-generation T-Bird project, especially one with a solid frame and most of its pieces accounted for.
1957 was the final year of the original two-seat Thunderbird before Ford moved the model upscale, so demand for these cars has always been high. Restored examples continue to command strong money, and project cars like this one represent a chance to get in on the ground floor without breaking the bank.
Located on eBay with a clean title, this T-Bird is waiting for someone to revive it and return it to its rightful place on the road. Would you restore this one back to stock with a 292, or keep the more powerful 390 under the hood for a bit of extra punch?
A good friend of mine bought a very rough one of these for a decent price; it came with a totally shot motor/3 spd and desperately needing work to make it roadworthy again. The seller knew little to nothing about it (“yeah you can see it’s all original!” as he pointed to the AM/FM/cassette in the dash with”Thunderbird”on the cassette door..). After verifying the title and VIN-this was, after all, a Stockton Craigslist ad so much scrutiny was given-we trailered it home.
As with this one, the engine was replaced with a later model but an extra 5.0 and 5 spd gearbox, discs all around, vintage air, soft & hardtop replacements, etc..
Very few folks know the difference and the two of them love the car for what it is-different and vintage. Some money, a lot of sweat but all theirs.
Can see a lot of that in this car. Wrinkled hood and over the nose piece needs to be attended to but the rest looks OK.
Funny how that 390 just slots right in. A rat rod the way it is but plenty of potential for the right price. I just wonder how much heavier the new engine is and how it affects handling.
The FE series (including the 390) was a new “lightweight” design. An internet search of both shows the 390 being from 75 pounds lighter to about 50 pounds heavier. So negligible effect.
My thoughts as well re: 390. If it’s a good motor it’s easier and less maintenance than a Y block. I’d consider selling the FE though and finding a 351w & a 5spd!
So, I’ll put on my flame retardant clothing before saying that I would do a proper mechanical revival, add a rear bumper, turn someone talented loose with a sword brush and cruise this thing for a couple years as a rat rod. Since someone has already tunnelled the taillights, after a couple of years, I would turn this into a full-on tasteful traditional custom. Relax, purists- I’m not going to bid on it.
The good thing about the FE 390 is all the hard work has been done so now a 427 Side oiler will slide right in to double the value of this one and only classic. With the 390 it’s probably uncontrollable, with a 427 it would be absolutely nuts! Good luck seller, but the cops could never catch this rocket!
I thought that with my 427 light weigh.You know what, A COPS RADIO IS QUICKER!!!!
Get it running and road worthy as it is & just drive it. Clean up & fix as you go.
Curious about those tunneled taillights, they’d have to go.