May 16th 2015 Premier Automobile Sale (13)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/15/2015
Introduced in 1955, Ford developed and positioned the Thunderbird directly against the Chevrolet Corvette. Ford billed the Thunderbird as a “personal luxurycar” putting greater emphasis on comfort and convenience than pure sportiness.Ford designer William Boyer was the lead stylist on the original 1955 two seat Thunderbird. The word “thunderbird” is a reference to a legendary creature for North American Indians. It is considered to have supernatural power and strength.The 1957 Thunderbird was revised with a reshaped front bumper, larger grille and tailfins, and larger taillights. The instrument panel was heavily re-styled with round gauges in a single pod. The rear of the car was lengthened allowing the spare tire to be positioned in the trunk. The 321 cu in V8 became the standard motor and produced 245 hp. A dual 4-barrel carburetor option was available as well as a 312 with the Paxton supercharger producing 300 hp.Offered is a frame off restored “E” code Thunderbird equipped with the optional 270 HP 312 cubic inch motor with (2) 4 barrel carburetors. Presented in Dusk Rose exterior and colonial white interior, options include matching “port hole” hardtop, Haartz soft top, rare a/c, Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, continental kit, and Ford-O-Matic 3 speed automatic transmission. With 89k miles on the odometer this “last of the 2 seat baby birds” represents one of the finest on the market today.• E Code Engine• Continental Kit• Air Conditioning• Frame Off Restoration• Kelsey Hayes Wire Wheels