1957 Ford Thunderbird

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible  The 1955-57 two seat Ford Thunderbird is among the most recognized iconic American cars.  It's been put in television shows, movies and print advertisements, not to mention being pictured on a U.S. postage stamp.  The mass media has often mistakenly called any sporty looking car, such as the Ford Mustang, a sports car.  It's given the 1955-57 Thunderbird the same description, although Ford stressed from the get go that its new baby was a personal car.  Ford knew that the sports cars market was very limited and that calling the Thunderbird a personal car would give it much broader appeal.  For consignment, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 88,361 non-actual miles.  This is a two owner car, owned by our consignor since 1963!  1957 saw Ford add some extra options including power which this one has, a 312ci for this garage kept example in arrest me red.  Exterior Iconic white on red adorn this car with Flame Red paint on the body and both a white soft top and white accessory hard top included with the car.  These colors are picked up by the shoes, in this case wide white walls on 14-inch red rimmed wheels and polished ribbed wheel covers.  And those shiny hubcaps are matched by a modest gravel guard on the fender skirt, trim suggesting a vent on the fenders, the bold window trim, and the wrap-around chrome bumpers.  The wonderful grated grille is flanked by headlights that wear a brow of red in front of a center hood scoop, a design that will still look good 100 years from now.  Out back, jet age takes over with exhaust that exit through holes in the bumper and afterburner tail lights rimmed in rocket like trim.  The turquoise Thunderbird emblem is perched on the front and the back and side travelers will see Thubderbird in script, so there's no mistaking this car!  The soft top is dirty but intact and imperfections in the paint include some sandpaper like texture in several spots, bubbling, flaking rust on lower edges, and a sizable scratch down low.  Interior While the exterior is immediately recognizable and touted by the general public, it's the interior that we're continually impressed with as materials and design go from the door panels directly to the dash, wrapping the aluminum panels and padded red vinyl almost seamlessly to the front.  The panels themselves look good but the door jambs would benefit from some further detailing.  A red bench seat has tuck and roll patterned pleats, a bit of compression on the driver's side, but in otherwise great shape, facing a red steering wheel with horn ring over its three spokes with the top gap framing an arched instrument cluster, spun aluminum bleeding over from the doors, and round gauges arranged symmetrically.  Black knobs and an AM radio flow right along with the vent control panel that overlaps the passenger side of the cozy cabin.  A simple shifter rises from the floor, black knob and black rubber boot surrounding a chrome shaft, all over red loop carpet in fine condition with some wear and staining in spots.  We also note a tear in the white perforated headliner of the hardtop.  Drivetrain A relatively clean engine bay houses the 312ci V8, rated at 245 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor.   It's mated to a 3-speed manual with overdrive, sending power true sports style to the Ford 9 in back with 3.70 gears.  Drum brakes are supplied to the front and rear wheels.  Undercarriage Patina and surface rust abounds on the underside but structurally the car appears unharmed.  We note some oil on the rear differential and under engine pans as well as a buildup of grime on the knuckles.  Beyond that, just the typical appearance of usage.  Dual exhaust moves through the X-frame with stock style mufflers and resonators, finally finding their way to the back, meeting the gaps intended for their entry on the bumper.  Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in t