It is fair to say that Ford did more than most manufacturers to define the post-war American automotive landscape. The 1949 Shoebox fundamentally altered styling, while the Mustang almost singlehandedly created the pony car segment. Of course, the Edsel brought failure to a new level, but we probably should gloss over that! There was no Personal Luxury Car sector until the company unveiled the Thunderbird, a badge that remained a staple for over four decades. This 1957 model is stunning, but its good looks are only part of the story. It hides a few upgrades below the skin that improve safety and practicality. The T-Bird is set to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Silsbee, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $7,300, although time remains for interested parties to make a play for this beauty.

The 1957 Ford Thunderbird represents a “what if” scenario for me. My parents owned a ’57 T-Bird that served as their daily driver in the early 1960s. The birth of my oldest sister didn’t create insurmountable problems because my mother nursed her as a baby on their travels. My second sister stretched things slightly, but my parents coped. However, the imminent arrival of Yours Truly proved the straw that broke the camel’s back, and the Thunderbird made way for a more practical alternative. Sorry about that! This T-Bird presents beautifully in Flame Red with a contrasting Colonial White hardtop. Its appearance is almost impossible to fault, with paint that shines like glass and laser-straight panels. The seller doesn’t mention restoration, but the car’s appearance suggests it has received significant TLC. There are no signs of rust issues, although, with the floors and trunk pan two prone areas, only an in-person inspection would reveal the truth. The chrome is in as-new condition, and the glass is crystal clear. This T-Bird is a classy vehicle, an impression heightened by the whitewalls.

Powering this Thunderbird is the D-Code 312ci V8, producing 245hp and 332 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission, with power steering removing the physical effort from the driving experience. Some people mistakenly consider the Thunderbird a sports car, drawing comparisons with the Chevrolet Corvette. They contend that this car’s ¼-mile ET of 16.4 seconds is only marginally better than the least power ‘Vette, but the comparison is unfair. Both might be two-seat Convertibles, but their target demographics were entirely different. The Corvette was a hard-edged sports car, but Ford focused more on comfort as the T-Bird created the Personal Luxury Car market. The seller doesn’t indicate whether this Thunderbird is numbers-matching. However, they confirm the braking system is upgraded to include discs, which is a wise move on safety grounds. It also rolls on new tires and has no apparent mechanical maladies. It runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition for the new owner.

The Thunderbird’s interior is as tidy as the rest of the vehicle, but close inspection reveals more changes. The most profound of these involves the trim combination, which isn’t original. It is a hybrid mix of Code XH Flame Red but with White seat inserts and door trims, as you might find in cars ordered with some two-tone combinations. This mix wasn’t an option in 1957, but Ford offered something close in 1956. Other changes include a retro-style radio and ice-cold vintage air conditioning. These features supplement the power windows and desirable four-way power seat. The photos indicate no interior issues or shortcomings, and the winning bidder can sit with their head held high behind the wheel of this classic.

There must have been something in the air in 1957 because American manufacturers produced some of their most beautiful and iconic models during that year. We only need to look as far as the Chevrolet Bel Air, a car that has been a decades-long staple of the classic scene, and the ’57 T-Bird. Some may consider my opinion clouded by my family’s connections to this particular model, but I have always felt that 1957 was when Ford reached a styling pinnacle with the Thunderbird. No version before or since has the same impact, which is reflected in the classic market. These cars have defied market trends, with values climbing by around 5% in 2023. Does 2024 hold more of the same? I believe it will, and I expect the bidding on this car to top $35,000 before the hammer falls. Would you pursue it in light of the visible upgrades, or would you rather wait for a genuine survivor to appear?