1957 Ford Thunderbird for sale $49,900

This 1957 Thunderbird is one of the best weandrsquo;ve ever seen. It was owned for decades by a passionate Thunderbird collector, whose collection encompassed more than just this car, and since its restoration in the mid-1990s, it remained a cherished centerpiece of that collection. Flame Red was a correct andrsquo;57 Thunderbird color and having seen this car, we have to admit that itandrsquo;s just stunning in person. Itandrsquo;s exactly right, a vivid, strong red without any orange in it, so it simply glows in the sunlight. The bodywork underneath is exemplary, and since the car hails from California, obviously rust was a non-issue, even in the troublesome areas around the rear wheel arches. The finish has a deep, brilliant shine and aside from the doors being a little out at the bottom (a malady that affects nearly 100% of all 2-seat Thunderbirds), panel gaps are exact. The bumpers glitter, the emblems are razor sharp, and the egg crate grille is beautifully done. Youandrsquo;ll note a dealer-installed radio antenna on the rear deck, an addition that makes a big difference in the carandrsquo;s overall look, as well as a period continental kit, which wasnandrsquo;t standard equipment in 1957 but certainly looks as if it could have been.

The interior was originally black and white, and that probably would have been OK with the red bodywork, but we recently met a gentleman who owns a Flame Red Thunderbird with a black and white interior and his remark was simply, I wish Iandrsquo;d gone with red. Itandrsquo;s beautifully finished and quite correct, from the black and red carpet to the refinished steering wheel to the ornate door panels. Itandrsquo;s worth noting that this car is equipped with just about every option, including power windows and power seat, Town and Country AM radio (not currently operational, sadly), as well as power steering and brakes. The gauges are probably original, but theyandrsquo;re still quite nice and show you that this car has certainly led an easy life in a comfortable climate, because the gauge faces are bright and the lenses are clear, and they all work properly. This car carries both a tan canvas convertible top that folds easily and looks great, plus a matching red porthole hardtop. The trunk is correctly finished with a full mat set, a restored jack assembly, and a full-sized spare tire (the continental kit holds another spare, but itandrsquo;s so tough to remove, having one in the trunk is a better idea).

A vast majority of 1957 Thunderbirds received the 312 cubic inch D-code V8, which is how this one is equipped as well. With a 4-barrel carburetor and a rather robust 245 horsepower, itandrsquo;s hardly a slouch in the performance department. It is fully rebuilt to stock specs and runs superblyandmdash;turn the key and it starts on the first try, settling into a smooth idle that is so quiet that you have to check the tach to be sure itandrsquo;s still running. The engine was detailed for show when it was first finished, but today shows a few very minor signs of use that could probably be erased with an afternoon of detailing. All the little parts are quite correct, ranging from the hoses and clamps to the wiring harness to the generator making electricity. Power brakes and steering make this Thunderbird effortless to drive.

The engine is backed by a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission and a set of 3.10 gears in the 9-inch rear end, making this a fantastic long-distance cruiser. As you can see in the photos, the chassis is marvelously well detailed, with spotless body-colored floors and a satin black chassis that looks highly correct. Thereandrsquo;s evidence of its California life everywhere you look, from the solid body mounts to the crisp seams between panels, so you can buy without worrying