Photographically documented restoration … Rare and beautiful Willow Green exterior with coordinating cream interior … Well optioned …

Step back in time to 1957 with this beautifully restored Ford Thunderbird!  Finished in understated and elegant Willow Green, this color was only offered in 1957, making it quite rare among first generation Thunderbirds.  This soft color is further enhanced by the car’s coordinating cream interior, which is in excellent condition.  An abundance of mirror-like chrome further enhances both the exterior and interior of this classic.

Powered by its original 245 horsepower 312 cubic inch V8 and Fordomatic drive automatic transmission, this car runs and drives as well as it looks.  The engine was rebuilt during the car’s restoration, and has been driven under 11,000 miles since that time. In addition to the car’s fully restored and detailed engine compartment, the undercarriage is as clean as the rest of the car.

In addition to the luxury features that came standard on this car, making it America’s premier personal luxury car, the car is well equipped with the following optional items:

• Engine dress kit
• Action wipers
• Fordomatic drive automatic transmission
• Tinted glass
• Power brakes and steering
• Electric window lifts
• Power seats
• Whitewall tires
• 70 amp battery
• “Town and Country” signal seek radio
• Heater and defroster
• Back up lights
• Full wheel covers

This car was originally sold from Fillmore Ford Co. of Fillmore, California.  The car spent the next 23 years of its life in California and was then sold to Music City T-Birds of Nashville, TN, which completed a body-on partial restoration of the car.  The car was subsequently sold to a gentleman in Louisville, KY in 1983 who completed additional restoration work over the next 12 years.  Detailed records of this restoration were retained including not only receipts for parts and work completed, but a photograph album documenting the restoration process.  All of these records, including owner history and the photograph album of the restoration, will be provided to the next owner of this car.  Even a photocopy of the “Gate Release and Accounting” form from March 22, 1957, when the car was shipped from Dearborn, Michigan was retained, detailing all factory options and pricing for this car!

As is evidenced from the photographs, the car currently sports wire wheels, which were added by a previous owner.  The car was originally equipped with standard steel wheels and hubcaps, all of which were retained and will be included with the sale of the car.  In addition, during the restoration process, when parts needed to be replaced, the original parts were generally retained.  In addition to the owner’s and shop manuals, there are several large boxes of these parts that will also be provided to the next owner.  Additionally, some other spare parts will be provided that are in excellent condition, including the steering wheel center hub and the chrome piece that spans the top of the grille.

A few items of note are that the radio works, but does not get good reception.  Additionally, the gas tank float sticks.  The car’s paint has a beautiful luster, but there are a few minor imperfections noted in the photographs.  In addition, there is some minor variation in spacing between the doors, fenders, and skirts.  Although the car has always been kept indoors and not driven in the elements since restoration, there are some minor bubbles at the bottom of the right rear fender that should be noted.  Total mileage prior to restoration is unknown.  In addition, the car does not currently have a soft top, although the hardtop does have a hoist and cradle that will be included with sale.  It should also be noted that when the tires, which are in excellent condition, were last replaced, they were slightly larger than the originals, causing them to gently rub the inside of the skirts in tight cornering.

The most recent owner owned and enjoyed this car since June 2005, and has won recent “Best of Show” awards with it.  Under his ownership, the car was properly stored indoors and was professionally serviced annually each spring, including examination of all seals and fluids.

Make today the day to begin the next chapter of this rare optioned and beautiful car’s extraordinary history!