1957 Ford Thunderbird

About This Vehicle

The 1955 Thunderbird was a winner from the start, conceived to challenge Chevrolet's Corvette and debuting in October 1954. The last two-seat Thunderbird was built on December 13, 1957, and just over 21,000 were built for the year. Amazingly, a copy of this Ford Thunderbird's original sales invoice has been kept alive — it was sold new at Maywood Bell Ford on Atlantic Blvd in Bell, California. Its history goes missing until 1972 when it was bought by a Mr. Edwards, and it stayed within his family's name until the Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum took ownership in early 2022. While with Mr. Jones, this T-Bird was carefully stored in a temperature-controlled garage and used seldomly for decades. In 1993, a comprehensive, correct body-off-frame restoration was commissioned to Classic Carriage Restorations at a cost of $150,000. Evidence of attention to detail can be seen in every aspect, right down to the correct factory stamping on the driveshaft. This beautiful bird is equipped with the optional D-Code 312 cubic-inch Thunderbird Special V-8 engine, rated at 245 horsepower and mated to a three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission. Optional equipment includes fender skirts, power steering, a highly desirable Town & Country radio, and a removable hardtop with the iconic porthole windows. Finished in the attractive combination of Thunderbird Bronze paint with a Colonial White interior.