Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1957 Ford Thunderbird 3-Speed.
This coming week, a holiday meal centered around turkey will take place in homes and restaurants around the country. In the meantime, let’s appreciate a different kind of bird – a Thunderbird. This Colonial White convertible might be on the holiday wish list of your or of someone you know. The auction ends Tuesday, so if you’re the lucky winner (and happen to be anywhere near Moultonborough, New Hampshire), you might be able to drive it to family dinner this Thursday. You’ll be the talk of family dinner for sure.
The first-generation Thunderbird – lauded for pioneering the “personal luxury car” segment – received some important updates for its third model year in 1957: The nose was reworked to incorporate a larger grille, and the tailfins were similarly augmented out back. This model year marked the last for a two-seat Thunderbird, and production totals came out to 21,380 units.
There is a lot to love about today’s featured three-speed Thunderbird. Despite having undergone restoration about three decades ago in the 1990s, it still shows remarkably well in the auction’s photo gallery. The body (which was previously coated in Thunderbird Bronze) was resprayed in Colonial White to match the hardtop and provide a monochromatic look. Of course, the car still comes with its standard, manually-retractable soft top for max versatility.
The heart of this ‘bird is a numbers-matching 292cid V8 that is backed by a three-speed manual transmission. The seller has provided a long list of mechanical improvements that have taken place within the last year or two. Included in the service areas were the battery, alternator, steering box, bulbs, seals, fuel pump, suspension, and exhaust system. Based on all this, there may not be much left to do with this car other than drive it and enjoy it.
The seller asserts that the indicated 34,160 miles are true and actual. While validating that statement becomes challenging or even impossible, the listing states that an affidavit of ownership from the original owner will accompany the car, so more than likely that individual can help piece together the needed backstory on this nicely-preserved and restored early Thunderbird.
We think you should add this ‘bird to your meal planning for the week.
The auction for this 1957 Ford Thunderbird 3-Speed ends Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
Beautiful car. 57’s are my favorite Bird of all. This one looks terrific as an occasional driver and not a trailer queen. Already have a toy so regretfully I’m out but congratulations to successful bidder.
I have two questions the first question when I seen where you had replaced it looks like it would be the brake line part of it and if I’m not mistaken that’s a copper tubing and that is not adequate on a brake line you have to use steel line . My second is a question do you still have the distributor setup for the tachometer drive even if it’s wore out that doesn’t matter . Thank you
You need to reach out to the seller, so follow the links in the story to the auction.
1st manual I have seen. Really nice.
This is one beautiful car and I can’t wait to jump in and go through the gears and yell
Adios Muchachos…😂👍
What a beautiful historically. Illustrious vehicle.and mint condition with a convertible and radial.tires.like to be.behind the wheel of it some and congratulations to the mechanics who spent.so much countless.time and commitment.to.restore.this one a kind automobile thanks
Glad you all liked the car and the story!