West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely beautifully restored and therefore show ready example of this 1957 Ford Thunderbird 312/270HP V8 Dual 4 Barrel Carburetors factory 'E'code Convertible with a rare and very striking date correct 'Inca Gold' color repaint and it's original 'Black & White Vinyl' color interior and trim and with factory hard top and loaded with desirable factory specifications and options including;
Ford-o-matic automatic transmission ($257),
Power brakes
Power steering
Engine dress kit,
Magic air heater and defroster
Original Town & Country radio ($100)
Electric clock ($15),
4-Way power seat ($65)
Full wheel covers,
White sidewall tires ($30),
Rear fender skirts,
Dual horns,
Dual exhausts,
Removable Fiberglass Hardtop,
Safety belts
and it's original 312/270HP 2x4 BBL 'E' Code V8 engine!
Of the 21,380 Thunderbirds built for the 1957 model year, only 1,499 were the fabulous E-Code Thunderbirds. The E-Code examples were equipped with a 312/270 HP V-8 engine fed by two 4-barrel carburetors.
Though inspired and initially positioned directly against the Corvette, Ford billed the Thunderbird as a personal luxury vehicle, with a greater emphasis on comfort and convenience rather than only sportiness. Designations aside the Thunderbird sold exceptionally well in its first year (1955) actually outselling the Corvette 23-1! With its enormous success Ford made few changes for 1956 except for the notable movement of the spare wheel to the Continental style rear bumper position in order to make more room in the trunk. Also an optional porthole in the removable roof was offered. The spare was moved back to the trunk in 1957 due to the heavier weight at the rear causing some steering issues. The 1956 312 Y block V8 made 215 HP when mated to a 3 speed manual transmission or 225HP when mated to the Ford-O-Matic 2 speed automatic transmission.
The Thunderbird was revised for 1957 with a reshaped front bumper, a larger grille and tailfins and larger tail lamps. The 312 c.i. V8 became the Thunderbird's standard engine and now produced 245HP. Two other even more powerful versions of the 312 c.i. were also added to the production line, although in very limited numbers. That included the 'E' code model with two four barrel Holley carburetors delivering some 270HP and the 'F' code model with with a Paxton supercharger delivering 300HP. Even though Ford had record breaking sales again in 1957 the companies executives felt they could do even better with a 4 seater version and under Robert McNamara initiated a substantial and larger redesign of the car for 1958.
This particular car was acquired by its previous owner, a renown collector and it joined his renown collection in 2009 having now had only three owners since new, and has since received any further restoration work required of it whilst in the collection with no expense spared as documented by its thick file of service records and was the recipient of a "Best in Class" award at the 2009 Florida Southwest Region AACA meet. It has very desirable upgraded options of power steering and power brake kits installed along with new brakes lines to master cylinder, replace dual master cylinder, new rear wheel cylinders, replaced water pump, replace all fuel lines, replace ignition wiring at coil and resistor, replaced all intake gaskets, etc. The car has been expertly refurbished as required and when necessary to an exacting standard and with wonderful attention to detail. Recent work also includes a front end rebuild, fuel system overhaul and a newly installed exhaust system.
As previously stated as a testimony to its highly impressive cosmetic and mechanical condition this 'E' series Thunderbird was awarded "Best in Class" at the 2009 Florida Southwest Region AACA meet and the car has been stored in a climate controlled facility since the meet and is in virtually exactly the same condition throughout. The car will be sold with its thick file of service records documenting the work which was completed with absolutely no expense spared at the renown marque specialists 'Prestige Thunderbird' of Santa Fe Springs, CA and others. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously a garaged and cherished car both before and since the restoration work.
The car has an extraordinarily striking appearance in its 'Inca Gold' color matched to a quite stunning 'Black & White' color vinyl interior with a bench seat, automatic interior courtesy lighting, rayon loop carpeting, half-circle steering wheel horn ring, winged 'Thunderbird' front end emblem, stainless steel window surround moldings, dual horns, dual exhaust, rear fender skirts, 4 way power seat, a full and fitted tonneau cover, telescopic steering column, Dayton chrome wire wheels and iconic removable porthole fiberglass hardtop!
The car's original 'E' Code 312 V8 engine with rebuilt and original dual 4 barrel Holley carbs is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent. The transmission shifts smoothly though the gears and the power steering and power brakes make the car an absolute pleasure to drive. Four new whitewall radial tires have just been installed on brand new chrome wire wheels with matching center caps. All the chrome was removed and re-chromed.
This car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be believed - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money with a recent full service and tune up including adjusting the carbs and the ignition timing etc make for piece of mind turn key driving today! Please note that the car also boasts its original spare wheel and jack in the trunk along with original trunk spec lining!
This is a rare opportunity to own an absolutely beautifully restored and superb and truly striking original Dearborn, MI built (as is true of all Thunderbirds!) car. It is also a great daily driving example of an original 1957 Thunderbird with it's original highly desirable 'E' code 312 c.i. dual 4 Barrel Holley carbs V8 engine and loaded with highly desirable options including Power steering, Power brakes, its original Port Hole hard top, original 'Town & Country' radio, heater and defroster and electric clock!
A near perfect example with work completed by some of the most respected Thunderbird restorers in the country and fresh from a renown collectors estate and loaded with desirable options including power brakes, power steering, 4 way power seat, automatic transmission with overdrive and not least of all it's original 'E' code engine and now ready for any T-Bird enthusiast or collector of a very striking turn-key ready example of the T-Bird's finest year and one if its rarest models for any classic American car collector!
