1957 ford Thunderbird 312 4V, at, C.A. Car, Barn find, Loaded PW, A/C, PB, PSEAT

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Description

Your looking at my 1957 Thunderbird, This Flame Red '57 Thunderbird was built in Dearborn, MI on October 20, 1956 (just 13 days into Ford's 1957 Thunderbird production run) and was immediately shipped to Los Angeles where it would spend its next 60 years in Southern California.

In 1958, Leona Riley purchased this car from the original owner. Leona lived and worked in Los Angeles until relocating to Rancho Mirage in the early 2000's where the car has been in in peaceful slumber in her garage. Sadly, Leona passed in 2004 and her car remained stored until her family made the difficult decision to find its new owner. In 2017, with just 59,000 miles clicked off the odometer the car (records indicate less than 1,000 miles since 1974) has come full circle and has returned to its Michigan birthplace. It needs a little TLC, but it's Southern California heritage should body well for its preservation.

Since its arrival back in Michigan in June, 2017,They have installed 5 new tires 7.50 x 14 non Radials(wheels were painted the original “Flame Red” and features dog dish hub caps (original hub caps are still with the car), replaced a leaky brake line, rebuilt the Holley carburetor and repaired the charging system. Leona's family had a new gas tank and brakes installed and replaced the water pump and fuel pump prior to selling the car. The car spent July of 2018 to July of 2019 in the Gilmore Car Museum "barn find" exhibit with great reviews.

This is one of those rare original cars that needs everything, yet needs nothing....meaning that due to its California heritage, great metal and originality it is a perfect candidate for a Concours restoration or conversely is a great candidate to just maintain, drive and enjoy. In its current unrestored, original state, my experience is this car draws a lot of attention at car shows...way more than restored cars. As they say, "they are only original once.

Major Spec's: 312, automatic, 50's era dealer installed A/C (not working but complete and under dash unit fan still works), power steering, power brakes, power seat, power windows, heavy duty battery, tinted glass, porthole hardtop (no soft top), town and country radio. I have the original factory invoice showing all the original spec’s and documenting CA delivery and have many of the records documenting Leona's ownership.

The good: complete, unmolested, original and unrestored, runs and drives very well all lights, power windows, 4 way power seat work. The steel on this car in terms of floors, trunk floor, rockers, etc. are fantastic and the doors and rockers no rust still have the original factory drain holes. Porthole top (white) is complete and original with no tears in the headliner. No soft top!

The needs: needs new tachometer cable and speedometer cable, Transmission kick down lever seal leaks (a $4.00 item) power steering ram cylinder has a drip and needs to be resealed. Drivers door glass is cracked diagonally, I have a new glass not installed. Cigar lighter missing. T&C Radio is complete but not working, seat foam is deteriorating from storage. The passenger rear quarter has a small rust area only rust on this car(see pics) where it looks like water may have gotten trapped between panels...a relatively minor issue and as mentioned, the remainder of the steel on this car is exceptional. I think the paint is original with a touch up in front at one time, but I see no body damage looking it over.

Please ask all questions you have and specific photos can be provided on request. As this is an unrestored, unmolested, original car it is sold as-is with no warranty. Actual mileage unknown due to age of car. Buyer is responsible for shipping but I will help with loading. Please contact me at860-922-0864 with additional questions or pictures

The car is in C.T. now I bought this car from M.I. 3rd owner in12/ 2019withmyintentionsto build this car to a hot rod but seeing this original bird I can't pull this apart so I am selling it. I have the open title from M.I. I can't get a title in my state!

MY CELL IS 860-922-0864 THANKS.

PLEASE HAVE THE MONEY BEFORE BIDDING AND TALK TO YOUR WIFE ABOUT THE CAR BEFORE BIDDING!

NOT INTERESTED IN TRADE!

IF YOU WANT TO SEE ADDITIONAL PICTURES, PLEASE CALL ME. IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE CAR IN PERSON OR IF YOU WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO SEE IT FOR YOU, THE CAR IS SOLD AS IS WHERE IS NO WARRANTY ! REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH IT !

TERMS: Payment will be made in full via wire transfer or cash in person within 3 days. A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is due 24 hrs.

WARRANTY

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. Vehicles 20 to 50 years + of age or older can be temperamental and we cannot guarantee that every component will function or operate on this vehicle. The seller shall not and will not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or any damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. Once this vehicle leaves the sellers property, the seller or sellers are no longer responsible for any damage or anything that results in any damage to any part of this vehicle including paint, body, mechanical, electrical, interior, or anything connected to the 1957 T- Birdbeing sold in this auction.

THE BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING COSTS. I WILL HELP LOAD ON TRANSPORTER. PLEASE CALL TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS AT THE BELOW NUMBER.

NOT INTERESTED IN ANY TRADES THANKS!

PLEASE CALL RATHER THAN EMAIL ME I AM NOT ON MY COMPUTER THAT MUCH, MY CELL IS 9 AM TO 10 PM, EST 860-922-0864

IHAVE 43 YEARS OF 67-69 MUSTANG 68-69 TORINO, 64 COMET PARTS COMING ON HEAR,

ALSO1 VERY ROUGH 1969 MACH 1 351W 4V, 4 SPEEDS, CHAMPAGE GOLD,WITH MATCHING MOTORVIN#'S THERE NOT MUCH LEFT.

MY CELL IS 860-922-0864