Model 40A. 245 bhp, 312 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine, three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102.0 in.

Two years after Chevrolet began deliveries of its hot Motorama show car, the Corvette, Ford responded in 1955 with the Thunderbird. The 1955 Corvette and Thunderbird were both two-seaters based on production sedan components, but the similarity ended there. The T-bird was a sporty two-seater for cruising and personal transportation, with no pretensions of being a sports car. That proved to be exactly what the market wanted, and in 1955, Ford sold 16,155 T-birds, 23 T-birds for every Corvette built.

The 1956 Thunderbird was changed only in details from 1955, but Ford gave its two-seater a complete makeover for 1957, with a clean and open grille and extended rear fenders and trunk to accommodate the spare tire. The “high-canted fenders,” Ford’s term for the 1957’s angled tailfins of full size Fords, also appeared on the Thunderbird, nicely accenting the longer trunk and fenders. It was a classic design that boosted sales by a third from 1956. Today, the Thunderbird has stood the test of time and is recognized as a milestone in modern Detroit design.

The 1957 Ford Thunderbird offered here is finished in the classic white and is complete with a correct red vinyl interior. Both the fully restored interior and high gloss exterior paintwork appear to be in excellent order and show only minor wear throughout. The underbody and gloss black chassis are also clean and tidy, and like the engine and its bay, they show virtually no road wear or signs of use. The T-Bird is complete with the correct Town and Country signal seeking radio, power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, seat belts, engine dress-up kit, wire wheels, and perhaps most importantly, air conditioning and a correct porthole hardtop. Showing approximately 700 miles on the odometer, undoubtedly since the completion of the body-off restoration, this highly optioned T-Bird is a very clean example that will thoroughly delight its next owners.