[Ethanol free gas]

QT sells ethanol free gasoline in my area, but it is only 87 octane.  I use their 93 octane premium and add to it "Carb Defender" by Driven Racing Oil to protect against the corrosive properties of ethanol.  In addition,  I use "NO-Rosion Fuel System Octane Booster" to increase the octane and protect  the non-hardened valve seats in my '56 Thunderbird.  It is a great substitute for the lead that was once in gas.   I have been using both products for several years with no problems.

[1957 Steering Wheel Play]

Do as Paul suggests---just remember you are driving 50's technology.  My '56 Thunderbird does not handle anything like a modern car.  Driving a vintage car makes you realize how far automotive technology has advanced in 63 years.  Enjoy your '57 Thunderbird!

[exhaust manifold paint]

To answer your original question--I used CALYX Manifold Dressing on the manifolds of my 1956 Thunderbird.  I purchased a container from NPD, in preparation for an AACA Meet.   It works as advertised, if the application instructions are followed.  I have had it on my manifolds since 2015, and they still look great.

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[2019 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance]

[Best Complete History Of The Thunderbird?]

Try Thunderbird Fifty Years by Alan H. Tast and David Newhardt. 2004.

[just finishing up my 1915 shell gas station]

Eight Shell-shaped gas stations were originally built in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the late 1930's by Shell distributor Quality Oil Company.  The one remaining station survived through the 1980's before it fell into disrepair.  It was restored in the late 1990's by a state historic society, Preservation North Carolina.

[just finishing up my 1915 shell gas station]

For comparison, a 1930 Shell gas station in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

[Want opinions Best looking Cars from the early 1950's n the later 1950's]

While the 1956 Thunderbird resembles the '55, the practical and styling changes made to the 1956 model make it one of the most sophisticated mid-century designs.  The '56 Thunderbird received an optional 312 cu. in Y-block V-8

engine, porthole hardtop, opening vent doors in the front fenders and the externally mounted Continental--style spare tire.  These changes together with the upgraded 12 volt electrical system refined the overall design of the '55 model.

[What Year FoMoCo Rims?]

Looks like a 1957 Ford fourteen inch wheel.  The Ranchero, station wagons and later Thunderbirds had a similar wheel.

[2018 CTCI International Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee]

[2018 CTCI International Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee]

Additional pictures from CTCI Knoxville.

[2018 CTCI International Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee]

The Classic Thunderbird Club International held its 2018 International Convention, "Thunder'n Lightnin' in the Smokies" in Knoxville, Tennessee, August 15-19.

[1956 Ford Thunderbird]

I was nine years old in 1956, when I fell in love with a 1956 Thunderbird that was being given away by a local grocery store.  I talked my parents into shopping there, so that I could get tickets in the hope of winning the car.  Of course, I did not win, but that was the genesis of my desire to own a '56 TBird.

 

Fifty-six years later, I realized my dream of owning a '56 Thunderbird.  An extensive internet search resulted in finding a nice Fiesta Red car that had the same owner for 20 years. His 20 year record of service came with the car.   It was complete and rust free, but needed some TLC.  Like you, I decided to do a ground up restoration.  I took it to a local shop here in Georgia, where the restoration was completed.

 

I look forward to seeing how your car turns out.  I know it will be beautiful.

[1957 Engine Swap?]

Hill's Thunderbird Center performs award winning restorations and keeps an inventory of hard to find parts.  During the restoration of my 1956 Thunderbird, They were able to find an NOS set of rear shocks for me. 

[1957 Engine Swap?]

Call Tim at Hill's Thunderbird Center (740) 949-2217.  They usually have a great selection of "55-"57 Thunderbird parts.

[High quality of judging at 2017 Charlotte Meet]

As a participant in class judging at Charlotte this year, you might like to know the high level of class judging that took place.  The captain of the team that judged Class 31 is an enduring testament to the excellence of AACA judging.  He took the time to point out a fact that I had overlooked.  The original plug wires on the 1956 Thunderbird had the cylinder number stamped on the metal contact that goes into the distributor.  They were numbered at the factory to assist with the assembly process.  The current authentic reproductions on my car are marked with numbered tape which should be removed before the car is shown, as these were not installed at the factory.  The team captain took the time to point this out to me.  With over three hundred cars to be judged, this level of generosity was even more highly regarded and appreciated.  It is this kind of judging that presents an attractive picture of AACA and its contribution to the betterment of the hobby.

[Thunderbirds at Charlotte 2017]

It was a perfect day in Charlotte for the 2017 AACA Southeastern Meet.  The weather cooperated with clear skies and temperatures around 67 degrees.  Hornets Nest put together a fantastic show with over 300 cars in attendance on Saturday.  Many thanks to the fine staff at AACA for an exemplary meet.