1957 Ford Thunderbird E Code Roadster

312 cid V-8 engine with dual four-barrel carburetors, 275 HP, three-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, independent front suspension with unequal length A-arms and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with power assist; Wheelbase: 102" Subsequent to Chevrolet making deliveries of the new Corvette, its sizzling Motorama show car, Ford countered just two years later with the sporty, yet elegant, Thunderbird. The 1955 Corvette and Thunderbird were both two-seaters based on production sedan components, but the likeness ended there. While Corvette was presented as a sporty two-seater for more aggressive driving, the T-bird was for cruising and personal transportation with no pretensions of being a sports car. That attested to be just what the buyers longed for, and in the first year, Ford built and distributed over 16,000 Thunderbirds or about 23 Thunderbirds for every Corvette built. The 1957 Ford Thunderbird, the third year for this model, was the most popular of all the Thunderbird two-seaters. 21,350 T-birds were built, with only 997 of the high-performance E-Code cars built. It was a landmark personal luxury car that was fast and rode far better than any traditional sports car. This 1957 Ford Thunderbird came from the factory equipped with the E-Code options. It has the 312 cubic inch overhead valve V-8 engine with dual Holley four-barrel carburetors, capable of producing 275 horsepower, with the unique dual air cleaner, aluminum intake manifold, modified heads and cam, and heavy duty Ford-O-Matic transmission as part of the package. Stopping duties are handled by power assisted hydraulic four-wheel drum brakes. These cars are often referred to as 'E-Birds' and this model actually produces more horsepower than Chevrolet's fuel injected 283. Ford introduced its 1957 models on October 1, 1956, and the new Thunderbird, was 6.1 inches longer and featured updated styling, with features like canted fins to make it look more like the rest of the Ford lineup. The lengthening allowed Ford designers to return the spare tire to the trunk, and it received 14-inch wheels, which gave it a lower riding stance. The interior was given a stylish new engine turned dash and updated upholstery treatments, customers responded by purchasing more Thunderbirds than ever before. This car was owned and restored by Amos Minter, owner of one of the most highly regarded restoration facilities in the country, and a specialist in early T-birds. The quality of his work was confirmed when the car recently received the Classic Thunderbird International Club’s Senior Car Award, and has traveled less than ten miles since it was restored. It has been garage kept, properly maintained, and remains in exceptional condition - just as clean underneath as it is up top. The interior is spectacular, the engine bay is properly restored, and you can immediately appreciate the quality of the workmanship. Equipped with power brakes, the desirable Kelsey Hayes wheels, and the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, it is easily one of the finest, highly desirable and valuable E-Code dual four-barrel setup T-birds in the country. The Thunderbird has stood the test of time and is recognized as a milestone in automotive design. This example, with its highly prized factory options and lovely color combination, is ready to stand up to father time for another fifty years or more. This is a chance to own one of the great milestone cars of our generation, or any generation for that matter, and a car that will bring pride-in-ownership for decades to come. Buy with confidence and add a premiere level Thunderbird to your collection of ’50s American automobiles.