1957Birdman
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Posts posted by 1957Birdman
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I am not aware of a smaller OHV Ford V8 engine, at least not produced in the United States. The interesting thing is that the original Ford flathead V8 was also 221 cubic inches. The flathead V8-60 was 136 cubic inches.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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I just wanted to add a footnote on this history of the Ford engine that began as the 221 Challenger V8. It was a bit of “wheezer” and was not living up to the engineers expectations. I know because my family had one in a 1962 Fairlane. By mid year 1962 the 260 Challenger V8 was added to the mix and it was a much better engine.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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It would take some serious documentation for me to accept that this is a 22,000 mile car. Does not exactly check the "good condition" box but looks like a decent project car at the price if it runs well.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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It is a little strange that this car was drag raced. Typically, convertibles are the heaviest cars in the model lineup, and I doubt that this is an exception. Also, if things would go sideways, I would rather be driving a car with a steel roof.
It looks like a top-of-the-line restoration, but at that price my enjoyment of the car will be strictly vicarious.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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I saw four of them on a car carrier tractor-trailer yesterday. If that represents the future than I am happy to be stuck in the past. IMHO it looks like something the Borg could have designed. I think it is the current expression of the automobile (or truck) as an appliance. Will any of these be restored and shown at Hershey in 25 years? A whole line of them would have little interest for the average car show attender.
It will be interesting to see how successful this line of truck is.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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I wonder how long this car has been sitting in the grass? This is the wetter part of Washington state, so you have to wonder how it looks on the bottom. Does the hemi make it worth $5K in its current condition?
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Given the overall condition of the car, including the scruffy interior, I think the price is reasonable. Most likely it has 127K miles. It looks like it has either the 332 or 361 engine, automatic transmission and maybe power brakes. I think this is one of the higher-level models for 1959. If you want an Edsel that sports styling that is a little less distinctive than the 1958 then this could be your ticket.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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At this price it deserves a serious examination.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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An entry level full classic at that, considering the price. It looks like a good twenty footer with an interior needing some work. If it runs okay, it could be another good opportunity for someone getting into the hobby.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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This car has incorrect wheels (they are from the 1968 sporty Fords). Otherwise looks like a nice car. I would prefer the XR7 in a better color.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Matt, my point about fires was not about cars developed and engineered by a major manufacturer that had a comprehensive testing program before it ever was sold as a production car. I would be concerned about ones that are put together by someone who develops one without the level of concern for safety that the major manufactures have.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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These cars are not my cup of tea, and I have one observation related to the cars that are modified by independent parties. I would not want to park next to one at a show. If something were to go wrong and a fire started, the car would be toast and the fire extinguishers we carry in our cars would be useless in a lithium-ion fire. Not a pretty picture.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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If you asked the average antique car savvy guy, he would know that you should be looking for the serial number, since VIN numbers weren’t mandated until 1981 in the United States. When it comes to computers, “garbage in, garbage out.” Will it get to the point where it can think like a human? Remember HAL 9000? Probably something we should not hope for.
One other note. Almost all stores these days have UPC code readers and no one thinks a thing of it. IBM was a leader in that technology. I worked there in the 1970s. There was a lot of concern about acceptance of this in IBM since the sales price wasn’t tagged on the item, at least in grocery stores. They went ahead with it and the rest is history.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Looks like a pretty nice car that can easily be brought back to stock. I am a little surprised it isn't 3 on the floor. I don't keep up on the prices of these, so I can't comment on whether this is a good deal or not. Should be pretty peppy with the 289. Looks like a downsized 1963 Ford coupe.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Definitely a scam and Marti proves the car is legit. The S code for the 428 still puzzles me, but the report says it is correct.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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It was never verified as a Shelby by anyone posting here. When I looked at the pictures there appeared to be a Shelby American dataplate installed on the proper spot on the inner left fender. There were no close-up pictures to confirm if that was the case.
For what it is worth, I observed that the pictures of the car seemed to be taken in a nice neighborhood. That doesn't necessarily tell anything since scammers come in all shapes and sizes, but I would have been move inclined to go there and see it.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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It might not be a bad buy, but hard to tell with almost no information. Most likely the 31K miles indicate that odometer has turned over at least once. Why even try to sell it if you can't at least post a decent description of the car. Pictures of the interior and the engine compartment would also help. It also looks like it could be rusting under the vinyl roof. Given it is in Illinois a thorough rust check would be in order.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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As I studied this car and its color, it occurred to me that it might be Thunderbird Green, which was a 1956 color. Thunderbird Green was also known as "No Sale" green because it wasn't a particularly popular color. It definitely looks out of place on a 1957 Thunderbird.
I don't think this car is a good buy at the price even though it is a "mostly" rust free California car for the following reasons:
- It does not have the soft top (this is true of a lot of cars sold in Southern California)
- Is not currently running and may need major engine work
- Missing a number of parts that are available but aren't cheap to replace.
- Needs a complete interior restoration
- Needs new paint if the buyer does not like the green
Still, there are much worse cars than this car being restored on the east coast, having to do major rust repairs that you wouldn't have to do on this one. As always, better to buy the best car you can afford.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Looks like a good buy on a well-cared for car. Lightly optioned with overdrive, windshield washer, engine dress up kit, radio and heater. It even has air-conditioning. It is a pretty decent price if it runs as well as it looks. I did notice one oddity. There appears to be an electric fuel pump in between the mechanical pump and the fuel filter. Most of the time when owners install electric fuel pumps, they do it under the car, so it is there but not seen. This is done for cars that are not regularly driven so that the fuel bowl on the carburetor can be filled before trying to start the car.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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marc1122, I am not familiar with the car you are talking about, but this one has led a hard life. According to the Hagerty price guide a condition #4 base Shelby GT500 fastback with an automatic is worth $75K. That is for a running car that has noticeable flaws. This is definitely not a condition 4 car. It could well require substantial rust repair which would be quite expensive.
I guess I need some education in my old age about what it means to give a car away. What do you guys think would be a fair asking price for the car? Inquiring minds want to know.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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Although alsancle is correct that the S code is for the 390, the rest of the car has all the correct Shelby modifications and the Shelby tag on the inner front fender. It could certainly be possible that the factory made a mistake with the data plate and put an "S" where it should have been a "P" for the 428 engine. If it was modified from a stock Mustang it had to have been done a long time ago, given the overall condition of the car. I may well be a scam. One thing that is missing is the integral roll bar. One of the pictures of the interior clearly shows where it was because the rear trim panels have cutouts where roll bar would have been installed, so it was surely there at one time.
I would definitely take a look at it if I lived close by (which I don't).
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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I will add a second opinion on the 55-57 Tbirds. I can speak with some authority since I’ve owned mine for 28 years and at the time I took possession I was an eyelash under 6’ 3”. What I have found is that with the seat in the rearmost position and the steering wheel pulled toward me (it can be adjusted either forward or back) allows me a comfortable driving position. The headroom with either the convertible top up or with the hardtop on is minimal, but I don’t need to drive with my head cocked to one side. There is also a process for getting in and out of the car when driving. Then just plant your posterior on the seat and swing your legs under the steering wheel.
I do think the comparable 1957 Corvette would be even tighter since it is not blessed with a telescoping steering column.
Now, if you are a person who is “thick” around the middle it probably isn’t the best car for you. Some people are buying reduced diameter steering wheels that do give more room, but in my case I don’t need one.
One last thing, I had more room to stretch out in my daughter’s 1997 Miata, which of course is a lot smaller car. Go figure!
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
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I realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this design is pretty pedestrian. There were definitely better styled cars offered by the American manufactures during that time. This example looks very well preserved and as alsancle says, it it definitely something you don’t see every day.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thundebird
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Another good starter car for someone new to the hobby and at an affordable. It even has bucket seats. Too bad it isn’t the 260 V8 model, but you can’t have everything.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird
Cybertruck
in Automobile Humor and Interest
Posted
Nope, I was driving near my home in Rockville, MD. I am much closer to I-95 than I-5. They must be ramping up their production.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird