Lot 107: 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible + Hardtop

Conceived to challenge Chevrolet’s Corvette sports car, the iconic Thunderbird debuted in October 1954 and was one of the first models produced with Ford’s new overhead-valve V8 engine. The T-Bird remained fundamentally unchanged for its first few years before a more thoroughgoing re-style for 1957 saw the adoption of a longer tail section featuring prominent fins. This alteration provided greater luggage space while enabling the spare wheel to be relocated in the boot, a move that greatly improved the handling. In ’57 configuration, the Thunderbird’s V8 engine displaced 292cu in (4.8 litres) and produced 212bhp, while the optional Special V8 displaced 312cu in (5.1 litres) and delivered 245bhp.

Introduced in two-seat ‘personal car’ form, the Thunderbird was intended to appeal to image-conscious younger customers, and beat the Corvette hands down in the sales war thanks to its superior V8 engine and greater refinement. Despite its success, the original concept soon was abandoned and a larger - and slower - four-seat version introduced for 1958, a move that turned the early two-seater cars into collectors’ items almost overnight. Today the original 1955-’57 Thunderbirds – particularly the restyled ’57 version - are among the most desirable and sought after of all post-war American automobiles.

This attention grabbing ’57 Thunderbird has the desirable 312ci (5,115cc) ‘D’-code 245bhp Special V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission. Treated to a complete ‘frame off’ restoration in 2001, this magnificent piece of 1950s Americana is described by the owner as a ‘100-point’ concours example. The car is presented in very good condition and comes complete with hardtop and Netherlands registration papers.




Cette Thunderbird est équipée du très intéressant moteur V8 Special « code D » de 5 115 cm3 et 245 ch et de la boîte automatique à trois rapports. Restaurée en 2001« depuis le châssis », ce magnifique symbole de l’Amérique des années 1950 est qualifié par son propriétaire de voiture de concours « à 100 points ». Elle est accompagnée de son hard-top et de ses papiers d’immatriculation néerlandais.