1957 FORD "F-CODE" THUNDERBIRD
Designer: Franklin Hershey

Estimate: $185,000 ­ - $235,000

Chassis Number: F7FH342056
Decoded: F=312 cid Supercharged V8; 7=1957; F=Dearborn, MI assembly plant;
H=Thunderbird convertible; 342056=242,056th 1957 Ford scheduled for assembly at Dearborn
plant
Engine: 312 cid OHV “Y­-block” V8
4­-barrel carburetor with Paxton Supercharger / 300 bhp
3­-Speed Floor ­Shift Automatic Transmission
Four Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Mileage: 27,249

● Verified History of Most Desired “Baby Birds”
● Faithful and Authentic Restoration
● Show Car Ready

The Model: In its third and final, year, the little Thunderbird from Ford sprouted its wings in full bloom with the birth of the “F­-Code” engine. For 1957, the first letter in the car’s ID number represented the engine and “F” represented the Supercharged version of the 312 cid V8. Just a little over 200 of the 21,380 Thunderbirds produced that year received this engine and today they are considered the most historically significant Ford product of the 1950’s. Developed in conjunction with the Paxton-McCullogh Corporation, the model VR­57 supercharger was selected for the job. sed feeding the special Holley four-­barrel carburetor. While these cars were created to take on the fuel-­injected Corvettes, a number of F­-Code Thunderbirds were purchased by regular car ­buyers who just wanted a little more horsepower at their command. Thanks to the fact that most all of the original shipping invoices for the 1957 T­-birds have survived has aided greatly in authenticating and verifying the history of each these cars.

The Car: According to the invoice for this car, it was delivered new to Bay City Motors in San Diego California in August 1957. Treated to a full restoration a few years ago, it is beautifully presented in its original Raven Black with red vinyl seats. During the restoration a new Paxton-McCullough VR­57 supercharger was located and installed in the car. In addition to the standard equipment such as wind ­wings, tachometer and dual exhaust, this F­-Code T­-bird also has the Ford­O­Matic automatic transmission with the 3.56:1 rear axle, one of just 25 examples ever produced. It is also fitted with electric clock, Signal-­Seeking AM radio, heater­/defroster and the “porthole” hardtop. Other amenities include fender skirts, and tinted glass. With just 27,250 miles on the odometer, research seems to prove these are the original miles from new, which makes this a very desirable and historic car to want to own.