1957 Ford Thunderbird, Original Gunmetal Gray Color Code Car on 2040-cars

Year:1957 Mileage:71737

Location:

Chicago, Illinois, United States

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 1

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 2

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 3

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 4

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 5

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 6

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY COLOR CODE CAR, image 7

1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD, RARE ORIGINAL GUNMETAL GRAY CAR,

FACTORY 312 CI MOTOR, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, FACTORY PORTHOLE TOP, FACTORY HEATER, TOWN AND COUNTRY RADIO, AFTERMARKET AIR CONDITIONING

VIN # D7FH1924430

photo 1_zps231eb9a1.jpg

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird is an example of one of the best years of the Thunderbird model run and represents an era of Ford cars that will never be seen again…

The condition of this car is very solid and well preserved. The car shows 71,737 miles on the odometer, which looks to be original. I believe I am the fourth or fifth owner from new.

This D Code Thunderbird was built on January 15, 1957 with the Gunmetal metallic paint code and a Gunmetal metallic paint code hard top. It was the 123^rd car delivered to New Orleans.

This is the perfect car to drive just the way it is or treat to a full restoration in the future.

Notable options include automatic transmission, heater, Town and Country Radio, and power steering. Please note that all of the options listed, with the exception of the air conditioning, are original to the car, as are all of the mechanical parts including the engine, transmission, rear end, etc.

BODY:

This Thunderbird is an original Gunmetal Gray metallic car per the data tag. Although there is an older repaint on the car, the paint is acceptable for a driver quality car. The body is very straight and solid, the result of being well taken care of throughout its life. I am including photos of the trunk floor in the photo section and I can also send additional photos of the undercarriage and cockpit floor upon request.

The glass and seals are in very good condition and there are no leaks evident.

INTERIOR:

The interior is trimmed in the correct red grained material. The seating areas are in very nice condition, as are the door panels and dashboard. The carpet is also the correct pattern and material and is in excellent condition.

All of the accessories, including the heater and Town and Country radio (factory installed), are in working order. All of the gauges work with the exception of the clock.

The correct power steering horn ring is part of the steering wheel assembly and an important piece of the originality of the interior not normally present.

All of the windows roll up and down and work perfectly. The trunk is in very nice condition along with the trunk mat, with no rips, tears, or missing pieces. The trunk floor, as you can see from the photos, is in very nice condition.

UNDERCARRIAGE:

The underside of the car is in line with an original and well-cared for car. Again, it is very solid and well preserved. This is a very original car that has never been apart or off the frame.

ENGINE and ENGINE COMPARTMENT:

The powerplant in this Thunderbird is the original “D” Code 312 cubic inch motor equipped with the power steering option, which makes the car a real pleasure to drive. All aspects of the motor are in perfect working order.

All components are in operational condition and every detail of the engine compartment is “FoMoCo Correct”.

TIRES AND WHEELS:

The tires are in very nice condition and do not show any noticeable wear, but they are older. While they look good and are the correct style and type, and do not show any dry rot, replacement should be considered at some point in the near future if the car is going to be driven any long distance.

The wheels covers are the original Ford Thunderbird wheel covers and are in very nice original condition.

OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSIONS:

This Thunderbird runs and drives as should. The 312 CI V8 powerplant runs and accelerates smoothly and very quickly and the automatic transmission (which was rebuilt at some point in the past) shifts as it should.

The car drives around town and on the open road with no squeaks, creaks, or rattles. It has had all of the necessary service recently performed including:

-oil-change

-complete tune-up including spark plugs, spark plug wires, rotor, and distributor cap

-installation of new battery

-carburetor re-build

-new wheel cylinders installed

-master cylinder re-built

-new radiator hoses

-power flush of engine block

-power flush of cooling system

The car needs absolutely nothing to drive, show, and enjoy. All of the mechanical aspects of the car work as they should.

I have a complete list of all work performed on the car that brought it up to the current mechanical condition and am happy to email the list upon request.

PLEASE NOTE:

This 1957 Ford still retains all of its original or O.E.M. components! This means the engine, transmission, rear end, etc. are original or correct to the car. All of the numbers, markings, etc., are correct. THIS THUNDERBIRD HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY! It is a very original and special car that, as evidenced by the low mileage and condition, has been driven very sparingly and properly cared for during the last 57 years…

If you are serious about purchasing this vehicle, I encourage you to come, take a look, and drive it. I can also provide you with additional photos of any specific part you have questions about.

You or your mechanic are also welcome to put the car on a lift and perform any drivetrain inspection you wish, including a compression check.

TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL.

The description of this Thunderbird is written to the best of my knowledge. However, I am by no means an expert on vintage Thunderbird cars. Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends.

If you have any questions, please contact me. If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the vehicle in person!

In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information. Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating.

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.

Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, I am happy to make myself available and have the car available but please have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the vehicle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding.

Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this part and win, you are expected to pay for the vehicle and pick it up in a timely manner!

I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements. I can also arrange shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge. If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the vehicle for a longer period of time until pick up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics.

Thanks for your interest!

For more on the 1957 Ford Thunderbird, please read on past the photos...

photo 3_zpseb9ad7f7.jpg

photo 4_zps53ec8c2b.jpg

photo 5_zps89decd51.jpg

Evoking the mythological creature of the indigenous peoples of North America, the Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. Rather, Ford created a new market segment, the Personal Car, to position it.

In 1958, the Thunderbird gained a second row of seats. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once again in 1983. Sales were good until the 1990s, when large 2-door coupes became unpopular; production ceased at the end of 1997.

In 2002 production of the Thunderbird started again, a revived 2-seat model was launched, which was available through the end of the 2005 model year. From its introduction in 1955 to its most recent departure in 2005, Ford has produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds.

A smaller two-seater sports roadster was created at the behest of Henry For II in 1953 called the Vega. The completed one-off generated interest at the time, but had meager power, European looks, and a correspondingly high cost, so it never proceeded to production. The Thunderbird was similar in concept, but would be more American in style, more luxurious, and less sport-oriented.

The men and their teams generally credited with the creation of the original Thunderbird are: Lewis D. Crusoe, a retired GM executive lured out of retirement by Henry Ford II; George Walker, chief stylist and a Ford vice-president; Frank Hershey, chief stylist for the Ford Division; Bill Boyer, designer for the Body Development Studio who became manager of the Thunderbird Studio in spring of 1955, and Bill Burnett, chief engineer. Ford Designer William P. Boyer was lead stylist on the original 1955 two-seater Thunderbird and also had a hand in designing the future series of Thunderbirds including the 30th Anniversary Edition.

Hershey's participation in the creation of the Thunderbird was more administrative than artistic. Crusoe and Walker met in France in October 1951. Walking in the Grand Palais in Paris, Crusoe pointed at a sports car and asked Walker, 'Why can’t we have something like that?' Some versions of the story claim that Walker replied by telling Crusoe, "oh, we're working on it"...although if anything existed at the time beyond casual dream-car sketches by members of the design staff, records of it have never come to light.

Walker promptly telephoned Ford's HQ in Dearborn and told designer Frank Hershey about the conversation with Crusoe. Hershey took the idea and began working on the vehicle. The concept was for a two-passenger open car, with a target weight of 2525 lb (1145 kg), an Interceptor V8 engine based on the forthcoming overhead-valve Ford V8 slated for 1954 model year introduction, and a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). Crusoe saw a painted clay model on May 18, 1953, which corresponded closely to the final car; he gave the car the go-ahead in September after comparing it with current European trends. After Henry Ford II returned from the Los Angeles Auto Show (Autorama) in 1953 he approved the final design concept to compete with the then new Corvette.

The name was not among the hundreds proposed, including rejected options such as Apache (the original name of the P-51 Mustang), Falcon (owned by Chrysler at the time), Eagle, Tropicale, Hawaiian, and Thunderbolt. Rather, it was suggested by a designer and, in the hurry-up mood of the project, accepted.

First generation (1955–1957):

1957 Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird began life in February 1953 in direct response to Chevrolet's new sports car, the Corvette, which was publicly unveiled in prototype form just a month before. Under rapid development, the Thunderbird went from idea to prototype in about a year, being unveiled to the public at the Detroit Auto Show on February 20, 1954.

Like the Corvette, the Thunderbird had a two-seat coupe/convertible layout. Production of the Thunderbird began later on in 1954 on September 9 with the car beginning sales as a 1955 model on October 22, 1954. Though sharing some design characteristics with other Fords of the time, such as single, circular headlamps and tail lamps and modest tailfins, the Thunderbird was sleeker and more athletic in shape, and had features like a faux hood scoop and a 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer hinting a higher performance nature that other Fords didn't possess.

Mechanically though, the Thunderbird could trace its roots to other mainstream Fords. The Thunderbird's 102.0 inches (2,591 mm) wheelbase frame was mostly a shortened version of that used in other Fords while the car's standard 292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-block V8 came from Ford's Mercury division.

Though inspired by, and positioned directly against, the Corvette, Ford billed the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car, putting a greater emphasis on the car's comfort and convenience features rather than its inherent sportiness. Designations aside, the Thunderbird sold exceptionally well in its first year. In fact, the Thunderbird outsold the Corvette by more than 23-to-one for 1955 with 16,155 Thunderbirds sold against 700 Corvettes.

With the Thunderbird considered a success, few changes were made to the car for 1956. The most notable change was moving the spare tire to a continental-style rear bumper in order to make more storage room in the trunk. However, the addition of the weight at the rear caused steering issues, and was changed back in 1957.
Among the few other changes were new paint colors, the addition of circular porthole windows in the fiberglass roof to improve rearward visibility, and a 312 cu in (5.1 L) Y-block V8 making 215 horsepower (160 kW) when mated to a 3-speed manual transmission or 225 horsepower (168 kW) when mated to a Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission.
The Thunderbird was revised for 1957 with a reshaped front bumper, a larger grille and tailfins, and larger tail lamps. The 312 cu in (5.1 L) V8 became the Thunderbird's standard engine, and now produced 245 horsepower (183 kW). Other, even more powerful versions of the 312 cu in (5.1 L) V8 were available including one with two four-barrel Holley carburetors and another with a Paxton supercharger delivering 300 horsepower (220 kW). Though Ford was pleased to see sales of the Thunderbird rise to a record-breaking 21,380 units for 1957, company executives felt the car could do even better, leading to a substantial redesign of the car for 1958.

References:

-Tast, Alan H. and David Newhardt.

THUNDERBIRD FIFTY YEARS. Motorbooks. October 15, 2004.

-Witzenburg, Gary. "The Name Game", Motor Trend, 4/84, p.82.

-Witzenburg, p.86.

-Edmunds Inc. "Ford Thunderbird History." 2009.

-Gower, Colin. GREATEST AMERICAN CARS. January 1, 2004. Colin Gower Enterprises, Ltd.

1957 Ford Thunderbird Specifications:

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Thunderbird
C7/D7/E7	40	2 dr Convertible - 2P	$3,408	3,134 lbs	21,380

Chassis Data

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Length	Overall Height	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Tires
Thunderbird	102 in	181.4 in	51.6 in	56 in	56 in	7.50 x 14 four-ply tubeless

Vin Number Decoding - 1957 Ford Thunderbird

Location: Installed on the dash panel in the engine compartment.

First Symbol - Engine

D= V8 OHV 312 cu. in.

F = V8 OHV 312 cu. in. Supercharged

Second Symbol - Model Year
7 = 1957	6 = 1956

Third - Assembly Plant
A = Atlanta, GA.	M = Memphis, TN.
C = Chester, PA.	N = Norfolk, VA.
D = Dallas, TX.	P = Twin Cities, WI.
E = Mahwah, NJ.	R = San Jose, CA.
F = Dearborn, MI.	S = Pilot Plant
G = Chicago, IL.	T = Metuchen, NJ.
H = Lorain, OH.	U = Louisville, KY.
J = Los Angeles, CA.	W = Wayne, MI.
K = Kansas City, MO.	Y = Wixom, MI.
L = Long Beach, CA.	Z = St. Louis, MO.

Fourth Symbol - Body Style
H = Thunderbird

Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence

Starting at 100001

Body Type Code
40 = Thunderbird

Body Color Code
A = Raven Black	N = Gunmetal Gray / Seaspray Green
E = Colonial White	Q = Thundrbird Bronze
F = Starmist Blue	R = Torch Red
G = Sun Gold	V = Flame Red
H = Gunmetal Gray	X = Dusk Rose
J = Willow Green	Y = Inca Gold
L = Azure Blue	Z = Coral Sand

Trim Code
XA = Raven Black & Colonial White Vinyl	XK = Colonial White Vinyl
XH = Flame Red Vinyl	XL = Dresden (med. Blue) & Starmist (lt. Blue) vinyl
XJ = Bronze (Copper) Vinyl	XM = Cumberland (med. green) & Willow (lt. green) vinyl

Date Code (example - 17 K - 17 = day of month; K = month
A or N = January	G or U = July
B or P = February	H or V = August
C or Q = March	J or W = September
D or R = April	K or X = October
E or S = May	L or Y = November
F or T = June	M or Z = December

Transmission Codes
Code	Transmission Type
1	3-Speed Manual Shift
2	Overdrive
3	Fordomatic 2-speed

Rear Axle Code
Code	Ratio
0	4.11
1	3.10
2	3.56
3	3.70
4	3.89
5	2.91
6	2.69

Courtesy of OldRide.com

Ford Thunderbird for Sale

Auto Services in Illinois

Universal Transmission ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Auto Transmission

Address: 1913 S Arlington Heights Rd, Elk-Grove-Village

Phone: (847) 228-1602

Todd`s & Mark`s Auto Repair ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Brake Repair, Tire Dealers

Address: Fidelity

Phone: (618) 233-9923

Tesla Motors ★★★★★

New Car Dealers, Electric Motors

Address: 1053 W Grand Ave, Mc-Cook

Phone: (866) 595-6470

Team Automotive Service Inc ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service

Address: 6021 W Roosevelt Rd, Park-Ridge

Phone: (708) 656-5300

Sterling Autobody Centers ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Body Repairing & Painting

Address: 816 East Roosevelt Rd, Bloomingdale

Phone: (630) 932-0943

Security Muffler & Brake Service ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Mufflers & Exhaust Systems

Address: 362 Ruby St, Rockdale

Phone: (815) 723-0583

Auto blog

Ford bringing production F-150 to Detroit with Atlas styling and Alcoa blast shields

Fri, 27 Dec 2013

According to a report in Bloomberg, the 2015 Ford F-150 will indeed be showing up at the Detroit Auto Show next month. It will bring attitude with it, not only in the form of sheetmetal inspired by the Atlas concept (pictured) that appeared at the 2013 Detroit show but also in the Alcoa military blast shields among the display being used to showcase the ruggedness of aluminum.
There's been a lot of talk about the F-150 switching to aluminum body panels (although maintaining a steel frame), and for good reason. The lightweight body is expected to shed more than 700 pounds and greatly increase its highway mileage, but production-line issues and possible delays have been a major focus of attention concerning the best-selling vehicle in America for 32 years, meaning Ford has to get it right. F-150 is responsible for a massive portion of the company's global profits and it will come in a year when company profits are already predicted to decline because of new car launches.
When it comes to dings, the Bloomberg story says Ford wants Alcoa to supply some of the military-grade aluminum it uses for blast shields on battlefield vehicles to help it talk up the toughness of aluminum. Reading commentary on the many stories about the F-150 reveals there are many more little questions about the aluminum overhaul, like "How much will it cost to repair and insure?" and "How will companies hang their magnetic signs?" Answers should start coming in a couple of weeks.

1969 Ford Talladega GPT Special is a SEMA showstopper

Thu, 07 Nov 2013

Rad Rides by Troy has unleashed upon the SEMA crowds this custom 1969 Ford Torino Talladega GT Special, and it's a beauty. The car calls to mind the classic Holman Moody stock cars that circled NASCAR tracks in the late 1960's, driven by the likes of Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney and David Pearson, who won the Grand National title in both 1968 and '69 in a Ford Torino.
Even though it has plenty of stock-car influence, there's nothing retro about the car's design or powertrain, other than the fact that the engine is based on a Ford Boss 429 block. Fuel injection, aftermarket aluminum heads and a high-tech custom computer system combine to send 750 reliable ponies to the rear wheels through a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Brakes measure 14-inches all around, with six-piston Wilwood calipers up front and four-piston units out back.
There's custom bodywork abound, painted in a two-tone Tennessee Whiskey Gold and Daytona Sand finish. Check out all the amazing details in the image gallery below, and scroll down to read all about it in designer Troy Trepanier's own words.

'Blood Muscle' auction to sell impressive collection of ill-begotten classic cars

Wed, 30 Jul 2014

The old saying goes that if you can't do the time, don't do the crime. But being a criminal can involve more than just taking a trip to the big house; it can also mean losing possessions purchased from any ill-gotten gains. Still, one man's loss is another's gain, and if you're in Lodi, NJ, on September 12, you stand the chance to buy some of the ultimate muscle cars from the US Marshals in what is being gruesomely nicknamed the Blood Muscle auction.
The grisly moniker was earned because all of the vehicles belonged to the president of a blood testing company who is facing prison time for alleged bribery, according to Hemmings. After all, they are muscle cars bought with actual blood money. The seven-vehicle collection includes some of the ultimate muscle cars ever made, and the original buyer clearly had an eye for rarity.
This cornucopia of V8 power includes a teal 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429, a 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang, an orange 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS convertible and perhaps most prized of all - a trio of 1969 Yenko Chevys with a Chevelle, Nova and Camaro all represented. From the included photos, all of them look to be in fantastic condition.