MIGHT BE THE NICEST E-BIRD IN THE US, NUT-&-BOLT RESTO, 312/270 HP V8, DUAL QUAD

Price: - Item location: United States
Description:

1957 Ford Thunderbird

Go ahead and get excited, because your eyes aren't deceiving you. This is a real-deal, documented E-code 1957 Thunderbird. That means dual quads atop the 312 cubic inch V8, and with that in mind, the restoration was carried out to an extremely high standard. In a sea of early Thunderbirds, THIS is the one to own.It shouldn't surprise you that this car was restored to compete on the show field, and we've never seen a 2-seat 'Bird as highly detailed as this one. They stuck to the original specifications with this one, giving it a coat of code F Starmist Blue paint, as it was new, although the quality and shine are simply astounding. For many, the '57 Thunderbird is a favorite, with its more pronounced fins that were a part of the 1950s automotive landscape. It's been in the current owner's hands since 1979 and since a full restoration about 10 years ago, it has hardly been driven so it's very fresh. The chrome was treated to show-grade refinishing, and every single component on the car was buffed and shined before it was reinstalled, so it glitters no matter where you look. It's also loaded with other unique features, including a dealer-installed continental kit, original radio antenna on the deck lid, and beautifully fitted fender skirts. This is a very impressive car.The interior is restored to the same standards using correct two-tone blue vinyl that does a pretty good impersonation of leather. The wide bench looks more like two close-coupled buckets and makes the sporty T-Bird strictly a 2-seater. Everything inside has been refinished to show standards, including the gorgeous door panels, exceptional steering wheel, and precisely detailed gauges. It's all quite correct, from the neatly clustered instruments to the floor shifter for the Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission. For show purposes, there are no "updates" or modifications to any of the interior systems, and even the original AM radio remains in its engine-turned panel in the dash. The spare tire moved back into the trunk for 1957, and even with the continental kit, this one is neatly finished with a correct reproduction mat and full-sized spare tire with jack assembly. And yes, don't worry, this one comes with two tops, a color-matched light blue hardtop with porthole and a beautifully fitted navy blue canvas convertible top with a crystal clear rear window.As nice as it is, this Thunderbird's status is almost entirely due to the E-code engine under the hood, complete with dual quads. With 270 horsepower, it was a neat experiment in creating a Corvette-eater that could still cruise the streets of Beverly Hills. Topped by the distinctive air cleaner, the 312 cubic inch V8 was fully rebuilt to stock specs and fully detailed with a dress-up kit. Every detail is correct, from the hardware securing the valve covers to the reproduction battery, and it runs as it should with a healthy bark from the dual exhaust. You can see bright red engine paint on the oil pan from below, and take a few minutes to enjoy the fully detailed chassis that's ready for the most demanding judges. Both power steering and power brakes make this E-Bird easy to handle and for style, nothing compares to a set of chrome wire wheels wearing 205/75/14 Coker Classic wide whitewall radials.There are only a few Thunderbirds that are more desirable than this, and they all have superchargers. If you've been looking for the one of these to complete your collection, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Call now!