1957 Ford Thunderbird
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Specifications:
Engine: 312ci V8 Transmission: 3 speed auto Features: One of only 4 in SA. |
The first generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a two-seat convertible produced by Ford for the 1955 to 1957 model year, the first 2-seat Ford since 1938. It was developed in response to the 1953 Motorama display at the New York Auto Show, which showed the Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette in turn was developed in response to the popularity of European sports cars among Americans.
Dubbed a "personal car" by Ford, it built upon the heritage of the bespoke roadsters of the 1930s yet was constructed largely of existing components, marking the first step toward the evolution of the personal luxury cars a mass market segment in the United States. While light weight for its era and fitted with a standard V8 engine, the Thunderbird focused more on driver comfort than speed, and was not a direct rival to either the Corvette or European sports cars. It remained the only two-seat convertible Thunderbird until the eleventh-generation was unveiled in 2002.
For 1957 the front bumper was reshaped, the grille and tailfins were made larger, and larger tail-lights were fitted. The spare wheel moved back inside the trunk, which had been redesigned to allow it to be mounted vertically. The side "Thunderbird" script moved from the fins to the front fenders. A new option was "Dial-o-Matic" 4-way power seats that would move rearward when the ignition was turned off to allow easier exit and entry. In addition to the standard 292 and optional 312 engines, higher performance versions of the 312 were offered, including two with McCulloch superchargers rated at 300 and 340 hp respectively. 1957 sales were 21,380, including three extra months of production because the 1958 models were late. The 1957 Thunderbird was the last two-seater Ford sold until the 1982 Ford EXP sport compact car.
This lovely Blue Roadster was imported into South Africa from the USA many years ago and is licensed and registered in SA. It has matching engine and chassis numbers, and even though it was painted at some stage, it remains largely original and unrestored. The soft top is new and was fitted a few years back.
This is a very rare American roadster and is perfect as a weekend cruiser or part of a collection.
POA
Dubbed a "personal car" by Ford, it built upon the heritage of the bespoke roadsters of the 1930s yet was constructed largely of existing components, marking the first step toward the evolution of the personal luxury cars a mass market segment in the United States. While light weight for its era and fitted with a standard V8 engine, the Thunderbird focused more on driver comfort than speed, and was not a direct rival to either the Corvette or European sports cars. It remained the only two-seat convertible Thunderbird until the eleventh-generation was unveiled in 2002.
For 1957 the front bumper was reshaped, the grille and tailfins were made larger, and larger tail-lights were fitted. The spare wheel moved back inside the trunk, which had been redesigned to allow it to be mounted vertically. The side "Thunderbird" script moved from the fins to the front fenders. A new option was "Dial-o-Matic" 4-way power seats that would move rearward when the ignition was turned off to allow easier exit and entry. In addition to the standard 292 and optional 312 engines, higher performance versions of the 312 were offered, including two with McCulloch superchargers rated at 300 and 340 hp respectively. 1957 sales were 21,380, including three extra months of production because the 1958 models were late. The 1957 Thunderbird was the last two-seater Ford sold until the 1982 Ford EXP sport compact car.
This lovely Blue Roadster was imported into South Africa from the USA many years ago and is licensed and registered in SA. It has matching engine and chassis numbers, and even though it was painted at some stage, it remains largely original and unrestored. The soft top is new and was fitted a few years back.
This is a very rare American roadster and is perfect as a weekend cruiser or part of a collection.
POA