Frame Off Restored Flame Red Thunderbird Roadster 312 ci/245 HP V8 3 Speed O/D

eBay template information@RKMotorsCharlotte. com 5527 Lakeview Road. Charlotte. NC. 28269. US 1957 Ford Thunderbird Frame Off Restored Flame Red Thunderbird Roadster 312 ci/245 HP V8 3 Speed O/D Year: 1957 Type of vehicle title: Clear Primary color: Red Mileage: 53521 Transmission type: 3 Speed Manual Engine: 312 V8 Interior color: Red Vehicle info Like blue blazers or Eames lounge chairs. some things never go out of style. The 1957 Ford Thunderbird is another item worthy of the "timeless" designation. While it was meant to compete with the Corvette. it not only outsold Chevrolet's offering 24:1. it went on to be widely considered one of the most significant American auto designs of its era. This particular '57 is a great example of the exact car buyers originally fell in love with. Dressed in bright red and powered by a 312ci/245hp V8 with a three-speed manual transmission. the car is great to look at and even better to cruise in thanks to a restoration that didn't overstep its bounds like so many do. If you're looking for a Thunderbird that looks. sounds. and feels authentic. this Ford is for you!We'll get started by decoding the data plate:D: 312ci V87: 1957 model yearF: Assembled in Dearborn. MIH: Thunderbird 382XXX: Consecutive unit numberBody: 40 - ThunderbirdColor: V Flame Red Trim: XH Pleated Flame vinylDate: 16W Scheduled for assembly on September 16Trans: 2 3-speed manual w/ overdriveAxle: 3 3. 70:1 axle ratioRestorative efforts took place in 2005 when the whole car was torn down and freshened throughout. Despite the work. the car feels authentic throughout and even shows some natural patina in places. One area that shows virtually no signs of aging is the exterior. Few colors highlight the European-inspired Thunderbird lines better than Flame Red and this example has been lucky enough to sport that hue for its entire life. The latest coat shows well. casting crisp and accurate reflections from nearly any angle. While the car's unibody construction is great for eliminating fender or quarter-panel seams. the long straight panels can make bodywork a bit of a challenge. Thankfully. all efforts here were successful with laser-straight lines and excellent panel fitment across the board. Step in for a closer look to find all the details firmly in place and ready for show. At the front. a stainless egg-crate grille rides between clean headlights. a delicate header emblem and a sculpted bumper that bends around peaked fenders. Between those fenders. a classy hood scoop leads the eye to a wraparound windshield that's reflected by optional dual chrome mirrors. cleared by satin-finished wipers. and framed by thick chrome trim. When the weather stops being agreeable. a black cloth convertible top comes to the rescue while contrasting against the body color for a striking look. There is no hardtop with this one. but you certainly won't miss it during cruising weather. Below. sculpted door handles and stainless-trimmed fender skirts perfectly complement chrome fender louvers. small Ford emblems and glowing "Thunderbird" scripts that sit to the front of fender vents. The '57 had arguably the most memorable rear view of all the Thunderbirds with finned quarters capped by pointed taillights while exhaust routes through rectangular bumper cutouts. Below the trunk lock. a final Thunderbird emblem completes the exterior. Tilt the lightweight hood forward to find one of Ford's overhead valve 312ci V8s. Over 16. 00 Thunderbird buyers opted for this configuration and for good reason: With a single Holley carburetor. the setup was factory rated at 245hp and 332lb-ft of torque just 25hp less than their more expensive dual quad kin. This mill starts out with a correct 1957-exclusive ECZ-6015-C block dressed in a coat of Ford Red which could be more accurately called "orange". Factory heads topped with finned valve covers frame a factory intake while a chrome air cleaner assembly tops the Holley. At the front of the engine. an OEM-style radiator works in harmony with an engine-driven fan while the accessory drive turns vintage pieces like the Ford-branded generator. Spark comes courtesy of a Motorcraft distributor that sequences fire between a reproduction battery. a Ford voltage regulator. a Ford coil and new plug wires. Spent exhaust gases are swept out through cast iron exhaust manifolds that flow through a true dual exhaust system with factory replacement mufflers. Details like the correct reproduction hoses. "See Clear" windshield washer bag. and replicated inspection marks throughout offer this bay an authentic presentation that you'll be proud to show off. Underneath. this classy roadster presents well without venturing into trailer queen territory. Solid floor pans are topped with a layer of undercoating while. in the middle. a Borg Warner T85 3-speed manual transmission offers full authority over the Y-block. A lot of buyers preferred their "personal vehicle" to shift itself. so it's refreshing to see a three-pedal example. Power is transferred to the ground through a tried-and-true Ford 9-inch rear end while. around the drivetrain. the suspension stays true to Ford design with a double A-arm front and leaf spring rear with fresh shocks all around. When the luxury life leads you to twisty roads. manual steering and heavy duty drum brakes are both in place to keep the driving experience lively. Despite the lack of power assist. this Thunderbird is still a surprisingly nimble machine. At the corners. chrome wire wheels wrapped in 205/75R14 wide white walls complete the classic look. Dramatic styling was king in the 1950s and it certainly didn't stop on the outside. Between the doors of this Ford. a bright red vinyl interior offers seating for two with plenty of period-correct charm. Nicely aged door sill plates clamp the corners of clean red carpet. protected by rubber Thunderbird-branded mats. In the center. a chrome shifter extends through the floor. free of any type of console. Seating is provided by a bright red bench seat which shows virtually zero wear. At either side. matching door panels are dressed with attractive brushed aluminum pieces as well bright window cranks and door pulls. The dash appears to be original but shows well overall with plenty of 1950s charm. The factory gauges monitor fuel. revs. speed. temperature. and time from within an engine-turned aluminum bezel that looks great amidst the red paint. Chrome pull knobs control accessories like lights and wipers while the Town and Country radio provides all the entertainment needed. In front of the driver. a bright red steering wheel extends forward. offering control over the front wheels. Lift the decklid to find solid pans beneath a correct floor mat and full size spare. It doesn't matter whether you're a Ford guy. Mopar guy. or Chevy guy. this impressive Thunderbird is one of those timeless designs that transcends barriers. offering near universal appeal. The car's great looks. great performance. and great color combo all add up to an exceptional classic that can be driven and enjoyed every day of the summer. Indulge as is. or tinker with it to make it sharper. either way you'll have a high value cruiser that has unmatched curb appeal and the muscle to back up its good looks. About this auction & RK Motors Charlotte Please note that all sales are binding and final. Our cars are sold "as-is" with no warranty expressed or implied. Please carefully read the terms & conditions of the sale before bidding. Winning this auction does not entitle you to come inspect the car and decide if you want to buy it. but obligates you to complete the purchase! A $1000. 00 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the auction close . NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have ZERO feedback on eBay. please call or email us to request our authority to bid on our vehicles. We do not release our reserve prices. as this would be unfair to the other bidders. so please don't ask! Each and every one of these cars is listed on eBay. but only one sale. on average per month. actually occurs on eBay. If you see a car you like. don't wait! Call us! When you see it disappear from eBay. it means that it was sold by other means. Because we advertise heavily in other mediums. we reserve the right to cancel any eBay listing at any time. If you would like to make a sales visit or arrange an inspection. we would be happy to schedule a personal appointment with either yourself or your representative. To do so. contact Donald Bernard at (704)596-5211 or (781)773-4648. Donald's email address is: Donald. Berard@RKMotorsCharlotte. com. For those of you who need to fly in. we can provide transportation to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. We can also recommend accommodations within a short distance of our facility. Our Service Programs Under our innovative Seal of Approval Exit Service buying program. RK Motors Charlotte customers who pay full retail price for a vehicle. receive a comprehensive. multi-point vehicle Exit Service. carried out by our experienced ASE Certified Master Mechanics at the RKM Performance Center. Customers who purchase cars from RK Motors for less than full retail price. or customers who purchase a car and are trading in a vehicle. will receive our Basic Safety Check. performed by our certified and experienced ASE mechanics. prior to delivery of their car. Click this link to learn more about the key attributes of Our Service Programs. If you have any questions regarding our service programs. please contact a member of our sales team. For international buyers. please note that we've shipped cars to collectors and classic car fans world-wide for years. We can provide you with a firm quote for transport to any shipping port in the world in a sealed container and handle the process for you from start to finish. Our domestic and international ground transport solutions are enclosed only. If you wish to use an open carrier. you will need to arrange that. Our Transportation Manager. Gregory Smith. stands ready to help you with your transport & shipping needs. Gregory can be reached at: Greg. Smith@rkmotorscharlotte. com. A common question we receive is: "do you accept trades"? We do accept trades. but will only consider #1 or #2 condition vehicles. If you would like us to review a trade. please send recent. high-resolution pictures of the entire car. including the underside. Also send a detailed description which includes all specifications. facts. figures. history and documentation present with the car. Lastly. give us a clear idea of what you are seeking in trade value. If you are a MyClassicGarage user. you can send us an Evaluation file for review. Our MCG virtual garage name is: RK Motors Charlotte. Email information and pictures on your trade directly to Donald Berard. Donald's email address is: Donald. Berard@RKMotorsCharlotte. com. Our 60. 00 sq. ft. retail showrooms are located in beautiful Charlotte. North Carolina . We usually have 200-225 incredible cars on display. and there's always something new. Feel free to make an appointment. stop in and meet our staff. Each and every one of our employees is an absolute car nut and we do this because we love cars! Check out the feedback on our website from other customers who have purchased cars from us in the past. We pride ourselves on describing our cars accurately. and our cars even look better in person than in the pictures! Every car that you see for sale is in our physical possession and located at our main facility. 5527 Lakeview Road. Charlotte. NC. 28269. For general information. call us at: (704)596-5211. RKM Performance Center Heated paint booth Sanding room Mixing room Sandblasting cabinet Interior shop Metal fabrication shop 10 two post lifts Alignment rack Tony Klein Consignment Manager 5527 Lakeview RoadCharlotte. NC. 28269 Phone: 704-596-5211 Fax: 704-596-5980 Mobile: 440-413-0849 Tony. Klein@RKMotorsCharlotte. com Gerry Notara Vice Presidentof Operations 5527 Lakeview RoadCharlotte. NC. 28269 Phone: 704-235-2973 Fax: 704-596-5980 Mobile: 704-773-4658 Gerry. Notara@RKMotorsCharlotte. com Donald Berard Sales Manager 5527 Lakeview RoadCharlotte. NC. 28269 Phone: 704-596-5211 Fax: 704-596-5980 Mobile: 781-773-4648 Donald. Berard@RKMotorsCharlotte. com Gregory Smith Transport Manager 5527 Lakeview RoadCharlotte. NC. 28269 Phone: 704-562-6226 Fax: 704-596-5980 Mobile: 704-562-6226 Greg. Smith@rkmotorscharlotte. com 704. 596. 5211 info@RKMotorsCharlotte. com Showroom 5527 Lakeview RoadCharlotte. NC 28269