1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The first generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a two-seat convertible produced by Ford for the 1955 to 1957 model year, the first 2-seat Ford since 1938.
Dubbed a “a personal car of distinction” by Ford, this appellation was also used by the motoring press at the time. The car built upon the heritage of the bespoke roadsters of the 1930s, yet was constructed largely of existing components, marking the first step toward the evolution of the personal luxury car as a mass market segment in the United States.
The Ford Thunderbird was The Blue Oval’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette. The performance of the Corvette, along with its build quality, was so poor since its 1953 introduction, that Chevy had trouble getting them sold. The Thunderbird arrived just as GM executives were considering giving the Corvette the axe. Power improved greatly for the 1955 model year when the Corvette got the Chevy Small Block, but it took the Thunderbird to save the Plastic Fantastic. Upon seeing Ford’s new personal luxury car, GM brass determined they had to improve the Corvette and keep it in production. And like that, Thunderbird wound up saving its direct competitor.
This 1957 Ford Thunderbird is finished in black and is powered by a 312ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a white fiberglass hardtop with porthole windows.
Chrome 15″ wire wheels wear whitewall tires. The car is equipped with independent front suspension, sway bars in the front and rear, and front disc brakes.
The interior features black vinyl seat upholstery with white pleated inserts, a matching dash pad and carpeting, and engine-turned aluminum trim on the dashboard and door panels. Equipment includes air conditioning, padded armrests and sun visors, lap belts, side vent windows, a heater/defroster, and an AM radio. The three-spoke steering wheel frames a 140-mph speedometer, tachometer, clock, and gauges for fuel level and engine temperature.
The Thunderbird is THE quintessential American convertible striking a balance between showy and gaudy better than any of its contemporaries.
Yet, this counts for nothing if the car itself is neglected or rusty or both – and this example is neither. Looking stunning, it drives beautifully and only the most fastidious would feel the need to remedy; the rest of us would be happy to drive it late into the night with a loved one curled up next to us and the Beach Boys playing softly on the radio…
