Ford equipped this engine with a Dual-Quad carburetor setup that allowed the motor to produce 270hp. One of the most desirable was the E-Code 312ci V8. The 1957 model year brought a few mechanical upgrades for the Thunderbird that would’ve set mouths watering at the time. Other pieces will be required, like a horn ring and hard trim items, so this section of the car could consume a few dollars. Opting for leather in the correct color combination will hit their wallet to the tune of $2,200, while they can subtract around $500 if they select vinyl. The cost will depend on the buyer’s choice of upholstery material. This may not be the largest interior that we’ll find in a classic car, but that doesn’t mean that a retrim is going to be a bargain-basement proposition. A few pieces are missing, but the owner holds items like the original Town & Country radio. Those days are a dim memory, and the interior requires nothing less than a complete restoration. This Thunderbird’s interior would have been as elegant as its interior in its glory days trimmed in Code XA Raven Black and White. The dust makes it hard to be sure, but it looks like the glass could be okay. Many of the NOS pieces that the seller secured are trim items, so that should help with that aspect of the restoration. Even if the buyer faces the prospect of replacing the floors and trunk pan, the steel is readily available and very affordable. There are also some holes in the floors, although it is hard to determine how bad these are. The lower front fenders and lower rear quarter panels will need work, but I agree with the owner’s assessment that patches could be the best and most cost-effective solution. There is some that will require the buyer’s attention, but this is a long way from the worst T-Bird of this vintage that I’ve seen. This is all an entree that leads us onto the subject of rust. The hardtop looks like it should be an easy restoration prospect, but while the soft-top frame is okay, the top itself has badly deteriorated. The panels are pretty straight, with no significant dings or dents. It does appear that the car is essentially complete, and the owner has secured some new parts that he includes in the sale. That was a long time ago, and the buyer will face some long hours if they intend to recapture this classic’s lost youth. It rolled off Ford’s production line wearing Colonial White paint with a matching hardtop. Some classic cars can be extroverts with wild paint, but this Thunderbird would’ve been an elegant sight in its heyday. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring this promising project to us. The bidding currently sits at $6,700, but it is yet to hit the reserve. If you’re feeling tempted, you will find this T-Bird located in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, and listed for sale here on eBay. It is a car that deserves more than a fleeting glance because it features one of the most desirable engines Ford offered in that model year. After forty-six years, he has decided that it needs to go to someone willing and able to complete what he started. The restoration of this 1957 Thunderbird was halted early as the owner spent so much time helping others with their projects. Restoration projects can stall for various reasons, and the time they sit will depend on the owner’s circumstances.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |