1957 Ford Thunderbird

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

With soldiers returning home from the Second World War desiring a sporty European style of automobile, both Ford and General Motors quickly started plans to design and manufacture one. While General Motors was the first to introduce the Corvette, Ford would soon follow, introducing the Thunderbird in 1955. Ford referred to it as “the brainchild of two men,” Louis D. Crusoe and George Walker, who first sold the Blue Oval on the idea of a “true Ford sports car.” In the final year of the sleek “Baby Bird” generation, 1957 models were offered with a redesigned front fascia, along with more pronounced rear fins, to accentuate the curb appeal of this classic sports car. This attractive styling was paired with a strong V8 powerplant, helping the Thunderbird vastly outsell the Corvette in the 1950s before the model name would live on through eleven generations.

Highlights 

• Offered from the Gateway Automobile Museum Collection

• A featured vehicle from The Performing Art of the American Automobile

• An excellent restored example of Ford’s iconic Thunderbird

• 1986 AACA Junior and Senior Award winner

• The final, most popular year of the ‘Baby Bird’ generation, powered by a 312 cu-in V8

• Engine dress-up kit

• The trim tag decodes as:

  • Serial Number: D7FH132109 – 

    • D engine code = 312 cu-in four-barrel, 245 hp V8

    • 7 = 1957

    • F = Dearborn Assembly Plant

    • H = the Body Series Code Identification = Thunderbird

    • 132109 = Consecutive Unit Numbers begin at 100001 for Ford car

  • Body: 40A 

  • Color: VV – Flame Red Body / Flame Red Hardtop

  • Trim: XK – Pleated Colonial Vinyl

  • Production Code: 1L710449P

• Beautiful exterior styling finished in Flame Red with turbine-style hubcaps and optional rear fender skirts 

• Striking pleated Colonial vinyl interior, black nylon loop carpeting, and a dashboard clock

• Restored to show-level quality, now a high-quality driver and well preserved since restoration

• It is offered with the five-digit odometer currently showing 2,502 miles, although the true mileage is unknown

Features 

• Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission

• Folding Pinpoint vinyl white soft top

• BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tires

• Stainless steel exhaust

• Town and Country radio

• Heater

• Ford Master Glide power steering 

• Roll-up windows

• Manual front vent windows 

Known Imperfections

• Please note that while all of the lots on offer in the Gateway Museum Collection are currently roadworthy, the lots will benefit from additional mechanical attention before being driven to address any imperfections associated with long-term static display or individual preferences. All lots are sold as is, where is.

• Cracking porthole hardtop to body seals

Included

• Removable porthole hardtop

• Jack

Previous Ownership History

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird was acquired to form part of the Gateway Automobile Museum collection in 2004 acquired from an owner based in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Collection Guarantee Disclosure

Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Car Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner for this vehicle.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: donnie.gould@broadarrowgroup.com

Optional vehicle service contract available for $750. Learn more about the program here.