1957 Ford Thunderbird

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

D7FH373735

Clear

Gasoline

Hi folks. Up for auction today is a really solid, unrestored 1957 Thunderbird. I"m listing this 1957 Thunderbird for a friend. He's had it for several years, and it's been in his wife's family for even longer, dating back into the early 1980s when it was pulled from a storage facility. It's a late '57 and comes equipped with a hardtop and a Ford softtop in the trunk. The car is very original, as you can see and will make a great project for the lucky top bidder! The VIN decodes as follows: D7FH373735 D = 312 4V V8 motor, 7= 57 model year, F = Dearborn plant, H = Thunderbird model, 373735 = unit number The Data Plate decodes as follows: 40 = Thunderbird, FF = Starmist Blue exterior, XL = Dresden Blue Vinyl/Starmist Blue Vinyl interior, 04 W = September(or Aug?) 4, 1957 build date, 3 = Fordamatic 2speed trans, 1 = 3.10 rear axle ratio. As you can see it was a nicely equipped car. I think the top was originally the same color as the car, if I'm reading the VIN plate right - you experts will know for sure. The car, when driving, only has 2 speeds, so that trans is still in there and the rear feels about a 3.00 : 1 when cruising around. I've taken alot of pictures for you to see. I'm going to let you be the expert and judge the car by the pictures, but if you need something checked, please feel free to ask. I'll try to help, and I know Fords well, but I'm no T-bird expert. I am agreeable to looking for codes, details, etc, but you have to tell me what to look for and where! One thing I need to make clear is that the odometer reads "09412" at the time that I'm writing this. It obviously has more miles than that! Maybe it has 109k, maybe 209k, 309k, or millions of miles. The truth is NO ONE can know for sure how many miles this car has - not by looking at a ball joint or even a mileage log book. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and keep my opinion to myself so you don't feel misled. I've known he had the car for years, but he asked me to come pick it up from his garage last week. It hadn't started in a while, so I put it on the trickle charger overnight and it started right up the next day when I pumped the gas a few times! I immediately filled it with fresh gas and drove it around a couple days. It idles and goes into gear and shifts great and doesn't leave puddles. One thing I did notice is that if I don't keep it on the trickle charger, after a day or two it wont start. That is unless I'm driving it every day. So the problem could be as small as a new battery but could also be a parasitic draw or an alternator problem. I haven't looked into it, and have kept the reserve low so that you can! Other than that it's really solid. Motor doesn't blow blue smoke and seems to run well with plenty of power. The carburetor sometimes sticks on high idle with the choke I think. A light tap on the accelerator and it will pop down to normal idle. Basicly, it was a well cared for car and was used alot in the 80s and 90s, but in the past 10-15, it's been used only a few times a year I would guess. So it will need some TLC, both mechanically and cosmetically. By the way, those CA personalized plates have been on it a long time! I think '85 or '84 was the last year you could get blue and yellow CA plates! After taking it out, I had visions of buying it myself, but I have one too many projects, but I wish some of mine were at least running like this one! The car has alot of history in the family, but life takes over and people get busy....well, this 'Bird deserves a little love, so he's passing it on for you to enjoy. I'll be updating the auction regularly, but if you have any questions, or need additional photos please ask! Feel free to call too: 408 515 5615. Enjoy the auction, and don't miss out on this Thunderbird! On Sep-29-10 at 11:20:34 PDT, seller added the following information: Hi Folks! Well the RESERVE is met, so one of you lucky bidders or one of the 154 watchers will get this car! I just got done taking a load of more pictures which you will see below. I had a couple of questions which I will answer today too. First of all, let me list what was in the trunk: air cleaner lid, air cleaner base(with original stapled on rawhide-looking seal), small box of parts: screws, emblem, and hardware, car cover(looks to be a nice California Custom one), Soft top with no tears complete with frame and back window. The back window is yellowed. Lastly, it has a nice trunk carpet that matches the rest of the car's interior. I took it out to take detailed pics of the trunk area. It all looks pretty good - see pics. I did see a small bend in some metal by the left rear wheel well. I took 3 pictures of this, close up and regular, so you can see what it is. Also, there's a tiny crack in the trunk "catch" mounted to the body. This is a small part that just bolts on, but you could either replace it or easily fix this one. I also took photos of the floor, inner rockers, and body braces by request. As you can see they are not rotted out. The rocker took a hit from underneath, probably drove off a curb or had improper jacking. You can see it in the pics. That's it for now- but please keep the questions coming. There's about 4 days left, so get your calls or emails in to me: 408 515 5615. Also, I'm available W-Th-Fri til 2pm to show the car. Sat and Sun I'm in and out and it will be harder. Happy bidding! - Andrew On Sep-29-10 at 11:49:56 PDT, seller added the following information: I had a couple of phone calls this morning I want to share: One caller stated that this car has been repainted before based on the pictures. I dont know for sure, so again, take a look or have me check certain areas that will help YOU decide. I dont see any other colors or coats of paint, but again, I'm not an expert on these Thunderbirds. Also, I have driven it up to 50mph but only for about 1 mile at that speed. The tires are older, so I didn't take it out on the freeway. Like the description above, this car has been hardly used much in the past 10-15 years, so it will need some work and attention. Here in California we dont have vehicle inspections, so I'm not sure what all would be involved in getting this car inspected for your state. Also, another caller noted the front end is low and maybe lower on the right than on the left? I climbed under it and it does have an aftermarket swaybar, gold in color, mounted to the front suspension. I dont know if these cars had those as stock, but I thought I'd share that. The front tubular crossmember is straight and looks good, but I didn't measure, nor do I know how to check the suspension bushings. If you want, just assume you'll need to do some suspension work. I CAN however attest that the owner told me the brakes, shoes, cylinders, power unit, etc, were all gone through in recent years. The car does feel like it has good brake power when driving around town, up to 45mph. Another item he paid for in the last 4-6 years was a new muffler system and pipes. They look very good/recent to me.