Original-Owner 1957 Ford Thunderbird

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird is a one-owner convertible with a color-matched removable hardtop that is powered by a numbers-matching 312ci V8 paired with a 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Said to have originated in southern California when new, the car has spent its life in the same region, under the same owner, and underwent a complete refurbishment in 2003 by Prestige Thunderbird. Finished in Gunmetal Grey Metallic over a two-tone black and white interior, this Thunderbird is now offered with records dating back to new, awards, the car’s original California license plate, and a clear California title.

Going into its third model year in 1957, the Thunderbird personal luxury car received a revised front bumper, larger tailfins, and different taillamps. This example has long-term ownership under one individual and was subject to a restoration in 2003 by a specialty facility called Prestige Thunderbird in Santa Fe Springs, California. The repaint in the car’s original Gunmetal Grey Metallic (NN) included the color-matched removable hardtop with porthole windows. Brightwork includes the grille, window moldings, fender louvers, and bumpers, with integrated exhaust outlets exiting the rear bumper.

Steel 14-inch wheels wear Ford Fairlane bright hubcaps. Handling is assisted by power steering and power brakes.

The interior is furnished with two-tone black and white (XA) vinyl upholstery, door panels, dash, and carpeting, with brushed aluminum trim throughout. Features include a dual-ring steering wheel and a Town and Country push-button radio. The trunk is lined with a vinyl mat and contains a spare tire and associated jack equipment.

Instrumentation is housed within a brushed aluminum trim bezel and includes a 140-mph speedometer, a 5k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and accompanying gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 48k miles, which represents mileage driven on the rebuilt engine. True mileage on the chassis is unknown.

The rebuilt, numbers-matching 312ci V8 features a four-barrel carburetor and received an oil change in 2020. This powertrain carried a factory rating of 245 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque when new, and has been refurbished with replacement hoses, belts, and powder-coated components. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission.

The sale includes records, awards, and the car’s original California license plate. The seller has provided a video of the car starting up and idling below.