Original-Owner 1957 Ford Thunderbird
Original-Owner 1957 Ford Thunderbird
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Original-Owner 1957 Ford Thunderbird
High Bidder: jmckellar
Winning Bid: $51,000 (USD)
End Date:
Location:
Cambria, California 93428
Seller:
Engine:
312ci V8
Transmission:
Automatic
Odometer:
48,000 (Mi)
Chassis/VIN:
D7FH138846
Carfax:
Not available
Lot Number:
9677552
Location:
Cambria, California 93428
Seller:
Engine:
312ci V8
Transmission:
Automatic
Odometer:
48,000 (Mi)
Chassis/VIN:
D7FH138846
Carfax:
Not available
Lot Number:
9677552
If a bid is placed within the last minute of an auction, an additional minute is added to ensure all bidders have a fair chance to bid. Bid carefully. Please complete your vehicle due-diligence prior to bidding. Bids are binding and by placing your bid you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
If a bid is placed within the last minute of an auction, an additional minute is added to ensure all bidders have a fair chance to bid. Bid carefully. Please complete your vehicle due-diligence prior to bidding. Bids are binding and by placing your bid you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
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.
BID: $50,000
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BID: $35,000
BID: $31,000
@PMV – Thanks. Will do! ...
Thank you! The pictures seem to show the car in fair to good condition.
BID: $29,000
BID: $28,000
Thanks. Will do!
Here's Prestige's website, if you wanted to give them a call first thing tomorrow to ask about the soft top: https://prestigethunderbird.com/
@PMV – Beautiful car, overall ! Did it ever have a soft top? Can one be added? If so, any idea of the cost? Thank you ! ...
Thank you! It really is a gorgeous car. Ford did this one right. As for the top, this car never had a soft top, and I, unfortunately, have no idea as to what it would cost to get one installed. I'd give Prestige Thunderbird a call, but they aren't open today. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on that front.
Beautiful car, overall ! Did it ever have a soft top? Can one be added? If so, any idea of the cost? Thank you !
@PMV – Can you please post some pictures of the hard top off and the convertible top up and down. Thank you ...
Hi PMV, the vehicle does not have a soft convertible top, just the hardtop. Thanks
Can you please post some pictures of the hard top off and the convertible top up and down. Thank you
@davidp – Hi Darrell, I did not mention the doors in the listing because it is a minor issue and is clearly visible in the photographs. The vehicle was painted at Prestige Thunderbird in Santa Fe Springs. They do exceptional work and have a great reputation. The issue is that they were not bolted on tightly enough when reinstalled and have moved out of alignment over the years. Other than the doors and minor blemishes in the engine compartment (see photos), I know of no other issues. The car is garaged about an hour away from my home, but I will get over there soon to take photographs of the underside. Thanks ...
Here are the photos of the underside
@widhebid – Hello again Davidp, I have some concerns about a couple things. 1. I agree with Russell & Knuckle about the doors. My concerns on this is, why would you not mention this is your description of the vehicle? 2. It seems the passenger door is in the same condition. 3. Was the paint shop that took the doors of to paint a professional company or who did the paint job that wouldn't put the doors on properly? 4. I ask you in a previous comment about "if you know anything that could be wrong with the car that is not posted" you could have answered about the doors but I go not answer at all. (very concerning about what's being hidden.) 5. I also ask about frame or chassis images and I have not yet received. I am very concerned about what is not being said about the condition of this vehicle . thank you Darrell\widhebid ...
Hi Darrell, I did not mention the doors in the listing because it is a minor issue and is clearly visible in the photographs. The vehicle was painted at Prestige Thunderbird in Santa Fe Springs. They do exceptional work and have a great reputation. The issue is that they were not bolted on tightly enough when reinstalled and have moved out of alignment over the years. Other than the doors and minor blemishes in the engine compartment (see photos), I know of no other issues. The car is garaged about an hour away from my home, but I will get over there soon to take photographs of the underside. Thanks