The Blackbird, 1957 TBird with a bad attitude

1957 Ford Thunderbird Description

You need to read this listing carefully. Please.
The reserve price on my Thunderbird is $27,000. That is the minimum that I will accept. I am telling you so you will know whether this car is worth your time.
So with that said,
The story
I bought this 1957 Thunderbird in 2015. I always wanted a Baby Bird and found one close in black. Brought it home and though it was a tight fit for me (I am 6' 3" tall), I began to drive it. Then the fun started. I was stricken by cancer, I almost died, I was sliced open from sternum to pelvis, a coma, and ultimately recovery but with no feeling in my lower front torso and a loss of flexibility. I found that I simply cant fit in the car anymore comfortably so I am reluctantly selling it as I am tired of just looking at it not being used.
The Blackbird
The bird was totaled refurbished according to the prior owner and his copius notes which transfer with the car. It was dressed as a stately Tbird with a white porthole top, white factory steering wheel, correct 1957 rims with wide white bias plys with correct hubcaps. The motor was detailed and as factory with correct radiator, carb and air cleaner and it wore skirts.
It was the swimsuit model dressed as a librarian. So I undressed her, carefully removing certain items and saving every piece in case she became a librarian again, though I sold the useless porthole top. Sorry hardtops are a space hog and dont help when it starts raining while you are out and its in the garage. No Porthole top comes with this car, But all the removed parts do; skirts, wheels, steering wheel, air cleaner, intake, carb, radiator and any extra 1957 Tbird part I have.
So to wake her up......
The 312 Y Block ran hot. An old timer told me they all do. Well they do with a blown head gasket which I guessed was the problem. I pulled the heads and had them milled slightly for straightness, Replaced the head gaskets, studded the block, changed the cast iron intake for a vintage Edelbrock, eliminated the Holley with the perpetual sticky accelerator pump for an Edelbrock 650 CFM, installed a new pertronix ignition, replaced the thermostat, installed an aluminum radiator and replaced the fuel pump.
Guess what? It doesn't run hot. Its cooler than a snow cone on the 4th of July.
Then I swapped out the 17inch steering wheel for a Superior 500 Green flake wheel, to buy some cabin space. Replaced the antenna with one with a removal mast from Casco. Sourced a set of Fenton Gyro slots in the correct 4.5"BP and bought new tires. Removed the skirts and then buffed the age old Nitro-cellulose Laquer. All of the sudden the Blackbird had some attitude and some shine.
Then I pulled the single bale Master Cylinder and installed a 67 mustang two bale master cylinder with a wilwood proportioning valve. Now it ran and stopped right.
Then the cancer hit me and she sat.
So its time to find her a new owner.
The paint is shabby on the passenger side but she still generally shines. You will see some primer wear through and its most noticeable lower front fender. She has had some work but it was done well. Chrome is 8/10. Exhaust stainless and new. Frame is clean. Gas tank new. Upholstery and carpets are very good. The town and country makes noise but needs a cleaning I suspect. Tach died but I think its the cable. Brake lights are Casco microswitches on the brake pedal. Trunk clean and detailed. She has new fiberglass front fresh air ducts never installed. There are a lot of spares.
You'll notice she is missing wipers. I have them but didn't install, leaving the cowl section original with the paint as received. It shows how she will buff and how dull it was before I cut it.
Now about the top. In addition to being useless, the porthole is tighter on the drivers head then the convertible top. I needed one so called Amos Minter and $5k later had one. Its installed but could use adjustment. It gives you that head clearance you need.
All in all this is a very clean bird hotrod that aint your grandpas Bird. It was appraised at $36k by JJ Best Banc.
It is a 312 Bird but not an E bird. Just a very clean 312 Bird, with PS, PB, Tele Steering, Town and Country and Convert top. NO Power seats, NO power windows, NO power doors, NO AC, NO porthole. Just noting for clarity and in the spirit of full disclosure.
About the payment
The car still has a lien. $26k. When you pay me, I pay JJ Best Banc and get lien released, clear title already in my name is then transferred to you. The Bird is tagged and insured by Hagerty. You will get the clear MD Title, Lien release and a State of Maryland Bill-of-Sale. I will also provide you a signed receipt for your payment. You will be fully protected and have the documentation you need to register. You will get all manuals and documentation that I have on the Blackbird.
I can accomodate an inspection and encourage it. I will answer all questions. I will also fully litigate any fraud (I have cancer and an attorney), so please understand in bidding and winning that this will be a very professional transaction but no games.
Payment will need to be a bank wire with $500 via PayPal. Also I dont sell overseas as I am old and cranky and sick and dont feel like it.
Shipping is your responsibility. You will arrange and I will ensure I am home for loading.
Oh and as a reminder the reserve is $27,000. I won't take less. I will list until it sells, or I die, at which point its no longer my issue and the Estate Attorney can handle while I sit on a cloud and play a harp.