1957 Ford Thunderbird

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird E-Code Convertible is a rare, performance oriented Baby Bird that is an absolute blast to drive! As the early 1950s began to transition into the mid-50s, America's automakers began to realize that a key product category was missing from their product lineups. See for years, upscale European manufacturers such as Mercedes, Porsche, and Jaguar seemed to have cornered the market with regards on sporty 2-seater convertibles that were both small and sporty yet luxurious and powerful. The first major American automaker to enter the market was Chevrolet when the GM marque released its Corvette roadster in 1953. In an effort to not only match Chevrolet's Corvette but also surpass it, Ford introduced the Thunderbird on October 25, 1954. The new Ford Thunderbird was deemed the flagship model in Ford's fleet, and the Thunderbird was more luxurious than the Corvette. The Thunderbird had thoughtful amenities such as roll up windows and a smoother riding suspension, especially compared to the stiff ride in a Corvette. The T-Bird also offered numerous creature comfort options such as power steering and power brakes, along with power seats and power windows. In its debut, the Thunderbird was also considered a bit sportier with a V8 engine as standard equipment as well as having a performance oriented manual transmission with an optional automatic. In its debut year, the Thunderbird outsold the Corvette, and the T-Bird was deemed a major success for the Ford Motor Company. Towards the end of 1956, the designers at Ford determined that the Thunderbird was due for a stylistic refresh so the 1957 Thunderbird underwent its first major redesign, a design that would ultimately last for only a single year. While the 1957 T-Bird retained its familiar look when looking at it from the front, likely the most pronounced change occurred to the rear quarter panels. The new rear quarters were sleeker than before and sported a slanted fin on each side, giving the 1957 Thunderbird its futuristic and ultimately iconic design. The longer quarters also provided for a longer trunk that was roomy enough for a spare tire, plus some groceries and perhaps a set of golf clubs. The interiors were also updated including a redesigned, wraparound padded dash complete with a more performance-oriented instrument cluster. The other major improvement in the 1957 Thunderbird was the availability of more performance-oriented engine options including a dual quad (dual 4 barrel) carburetor setup, known today colloquially as an E-Code. Of course Ford afficiandos know that these special Thunderbirds are called E-Codes because all of the dual quad cars' VIN numbers started with an E to signify that they came with a pair of 4 barrel carburetors. In total, Ford produced only 1,499 E-Code Thunderbirds in 1957 which makes this particular example quite a rare piece of automotive history. Under the hood on this '57 E-Code T-Bird is a 312 Cubic Inch V8 engine fed by a pair of 4 barrel carburetors that together were said to have created 270 horsepower when new. The dual-quad 312 V8 is backed by a 3 speed manual with overdrive that makes this iconic Thunderbird an absolute blast to drive. Exhaust exits this E-Code's power plant via dual through-bumper exhaust ports that generate a terrific throaty sound out the rear. Riding on a set of wide whitewall bias-ply tires, each accented with a turbine-style full wheel cover, this '57 Thunderbird has an outstanding presence whether parked at the local car show or cruising down the road. Squeezing in and out of a tight parking space is simplified with the addition of a driver's side chrome mirror. This 1957 T-Bird comes with an accessory port hole hardtop that has been correctly finished in colonial white. The exterior of this '57 Thunderbird has been correctly refinished in Raven Black paint that completes the exterior look of this convertible. The interior of this 1957 Ford Thunderbird E-Code has a