D-codes came from the factory with a Holley 4150 4-v. Carter's were an option on passenger cars, but not on the 'bird. Nice '57. Don't see many with the bronze interior.
E, Fs are fairly warmer??? If dual quads or a supercharger are a Fairly warmer step up I guess so. These were NOT intended to complete against the Corvette, the Thunderbird was an upscale, personal sports car with many comfort options where the Corvette was on the sparse - low class side. There's no reason the car needs to be started in neutral - the neutral safety switch needs adjustment, neither of our "D" birds needed to be in neutral. The cold air induction was switchable per season. There was a block off plate supplied with the car that was to be installed on the inside of the scoop during cold weather. As far as fitting yourself inside the car - the steering column has a telescope function, the chrome/splined area where the column passes through the bottom of the dash is a collar to release the column for adjustment. Had the owner of this one not flipped the rear spring shackles to raise the back the car (as can be plainly seen) it would have its proper stance - tail down, which made them look sleeker yet. They were/are a beautiful car, SO much more upscale than the 'Vette and turned heads anywhere you went. I grew up with five of them (my father's two in Colonial White as this one) in my near family and spent many hours driving and working on them - wish my "bucket list" budget was bigger as I'd surely have one of my own. Truly a beautiful car.
The Corvette a low class ride? I own a 57 Bird D model and the T-Birds were more opulent as they offered power windows, power steering, power brakes and power seats. I also owned a 57 Corvette and loved the interior of that car. Starting in 56 the Corvette was simply a 2 seater sports/ performance car. With the addition of Duntov building the 265 and 283 motors with hotter cams and dual quads and then the Rochester fuel injection. The stately T-Bird was elegant and was much more luxurious than the Corvette. I just take some umbrage with the term low class side. Yes sir the vettes were more sparse than the luxurious boulevard cruiser the Baby Bird.
Actually, you did have to start the car in neutral. On the first one I had I thought that there was something wrong with the neutral safety switch when it wouldn't start in Park. Then I read the original owners manual and found out that they are supposed to start in neutral. I rewired it on the one I have now so it does start in Park.
From me that has had 5 Baby T'Birds in Australia, 2 x 56's & 3 x 57's. To get in one, put your ass on the seat and swing the legs in. The steering wheel is adjustable in and out. I have a 57 with power seat, it does not move back on it's own. Seat does go up and down. The carburetors on 57s are Holley's not Carter. When its' hot, open the side vents in the front fenders. The rear spring shackles on that car are upside down making the car sit high. Engine is 245 HP and sounds much better with the roof off. I have installed disc brakes with booster, rack and pinion P/S, headers, MSD ignition, A/C, wire wheels Halogen headlights, electric wipers, 16 inch Davies Craig Thermo Fan and Hotchkiss front & rear sway bars. Also rewired with several relays. AM/FM radio with USB input.
I own a 57 312 D code 245 h.p. Thunderbird with the Fordomatic. Triple red. Holley made the carbs for the 312 besides Carter. I love the iconic looks of it. Yet the cabin is a bit cramped for my 6 foot 2, 245 lb. frame. The instruments are beautiful and spaced properly and quite elegant with the swirled designed metal dash really setting it off. I am buying a 63 Thunderbird convertible as they afford more room for me and they ride comfortable. The Bullet Bird is my favorite bird after the Early Birds.
I get a kick out of the nickname the Carter 4bbls. had, they called them the 'Teapot', lol!!! The 'Bullet' or 'Rocket' cars (styling influences from the Space Race of the era) are a whole different creature. They are much more comfortable for a full sized man, they unfortunately don't have quite the cornering ability nor a manual transmission should you happen to like them. The swing-away steering wheel is really cool, you'll definitely like that for ingress and egress, and it impresses hell out of onlookers, lol!!! The 390/auto in them are both good natured performers, not particularly fast but do move the car with some authority. Be EXTRA careful in regards to the transmission - there's an area of the case casting that's inherently a little weak. It's generally non-issue from a warm climate 'life' but it was common in areas where the car may have been rocked in the snow for the case to crack in that area. The last I knew (early 2000s) there was no established/specific repair. Some of these can be repaired by a fairly talented TIG welder and some hand finishing, and some not so much. Look the car over well - see if the seller will let you have a trans shop drop the pan, the repair is easily seen. If not, be particularly fussy about how the trans acts. I've loved my 'Birds, one '57, one '63, two '65s and one '67. Good luck on your purchase, and ENJOY!
@@Motor-City-Mike The cleaners were refrerred to as tea kettle that housed the two Holley 450cfm carburetors. Carter supplied the carbs for Chevrolet and Chyrsler and GM.
@@Mr1963corvette I stand corrected - I now remember the teapots were the Holley design used prior to the 4150/4150 architecture. I remember my brother pitching his to step up to the newer design (who knew the old version would have any value later). The mis-thought may have come from the popularity of Carters in general during that era - I remember them well on other Marques of the time.
The Thunderbird was brought out by Ford to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette. From the get go, they offered roll up and even power windows, steering and brakes and seats versus the rather spartan features of the Corvette. The Thunderbirds were the epitome of luxury and were not really made to be a sports car like the Corvette was. Yes they raced the birds at Daytona against the Corvettes. But that was not their purpose to race against the Corvettes. They said that you bought a T-Bird for your wife, girlfriend or your mistress. This elegant, graceful looking car was what she drove to the country club or even the opera.
@@Mr1963corvette The "E" and "F" birds weren't exactly girlie cars, one w/dual quads and the other supercharged they were aimed more at a man who like power with his luxury.
@@Motor-City-Mike I never implied or inferred that baby birds were "girlie" cars. I love my 57 D code. And I am a walking, talking encyclopedia on the Thunderbirds and their statistics I merely quoted what others have said about the Tbird being a car that women loved. In 58 Ford targeted women to sell the new square bird to.
I have always liked the 1955 to 1957 T Birds, although I can't tell which year is which. I think all or most of these had the removable hardtop. If you and a friend were out for a drive in this car and wanted to remove the top, is the trunk large enough to hold the top if the trunk was empty?
Not the hardtop. The soft top and frame fit behind the bench seat in the baby birds. Buy the fibreglass hard top will not fit in there. You could not close the trunk lid anyway.
Beautiful! I have a ‘57 bird that my mother purchased new, (I was 4 months old at the time), I’ve had it up for sale a time or two, but after seeing your video I think I’d better hold on to it. Btw, how tall are you? I’m 6’ 3” and my trick is to sit in the car first, then bring both legs in…. Thanks for posting
One has to go in head first on your knees then pivot and turn and swing your legs in and down. The door pillar juts out to far at the waist level to allow regular sideways entry in and oyt.
Put spring shackles back up, worse ride. With proper springs they are belly flat, not down in the rear. I've owned an Emodel for 30 years, front disk brakes, long tube headers, performance cam, rear sway bar, traction bars, panhard rod, 4:11 posi, 3 speed OD. Solid construction, out corner and out brake a new mustang (500lbs less and 51/49 balance) difference is when a bird lets go takes 2 lanes to recover, more than enough power to make passengers poop. Vettes ride like lumber trucks compared to birds. Have both tops but never put them up. If its power steering get the smaller steering wheel. Even my 59 bird not built for 6' giants.
She always has been my dream car 57 T-Bird I like to do is keep the body I don't know if it's got a full frame under it got a unibody I love to take a Corvette engine and put it in put so nice chrome rims
obviously he did not know the car had avaiable to it retractable/ tilt steering wheel...and a smaller steering wheel as well to make entrance easier....
Very nice ride. 1 of my top 10 faves for sure.
Especially for a Ford guy!
D-codes came from the factory with a Holley 4150 4-v. Carter's were an option on passenger cars, but not on the 'bird.
Nice '57. Don't see many with the bronze interior.
These birds look incredible in white. Maybe it’s remembering Suzanne Summers in American Graffiti?
I always loved the early Thunderbirds. Later years of production the car got bigger and bigger.
E, Fs are fairly warmer???
If dual quads or a supercharger are a Fairly warmer step up I guess so.
These were NOT intended to complete against the Corvette, the Thunderbird was an upscale, personal sports car with many comfort options where the Corvette was on the sparse - low class side.
There's no reason the car needs to be started in neutral - the neutral safety switch needs adjustment, neither of our "D" birds needed to be in neutral.
The cold air induction was switchable per season. There was a block off plate supplied with the car that was to be installed on the inside of the scoop during cold weather.
As far as fitting yourself inside the car - the steering column has a telescope function, the chrome/splined area where the column passes through the bottom of the dash is a collar to release the column for adjustment.
Had the owner of this one not flipped the rear spring shackles to raise the back the car (as can be plainly seen) it would have its proper stance - tail down, which made them look sleeker yet.
They were/are a beautiful car, SO much more upscale than the 'Vette and turned heads anywhere you went.
I grew up with five of them (my father's two in Colonial White as this one) in my near family and spent many hours driving and working on them - wish my "bucket list" budget was bigger as I'd surely have one of my own.
Truly a beautiful car.
The Corvette a low class ride? I own a 57 Bird D model and the T-Birds were more opulent as they offered power windows, power steering, power brakes and power seats. I also owned a 57 Corvette and loved the interior of that car. Starting in 56 the Corvette was simply a 2 seater sports/ performance car. With the addition of Duntov building the 265 and 283 motors with hotter cams and dual quads and then the Rochester fuel injection. The stately T-Bird was elegant and was much more luxurious than the Corvette. I just take some umbrage with the term low class side. Yes sir the vettes were more sparse than the luxurious boulevard cruiser the Baby Bird.
Actually, you did have to start the car in neutral. On the first one I had I thought that there was something wrong with the neutral safety switch when it wouldn't start in Park. Then I read the original owners manual and found out that they are supposed to start in neutral. I rewired it on the one I have now so it does start in Park.
Cool 😎 thunderbird 😃👍
Thanks!
One of the few convertibles that look better with the hard top on
Exactly why we left it on!
Have you seen one with the hard top off and the soft top down behind the seat?
Some say they look very sleek.
From me that has had 5 Baby T'Birds in Australia, 2 x 56's & 3 x 57's. To get in one, put your ass on the seat and swing the legs in. The steering wheel is adjustable in and out. I have a 57 with power seat, it does not move back on it's own. Seat does go up and down. The carburetors on 57s are Holley's not Carter. When its' hot, open the side vents in the front fenders. The rear spring shackles on that car are upside down making the car sit high. Engine is 245 HP and sounds much better with the roof off. I have installed disc brakes with booster, rack and pinion P/S, headers, MSD ignition, A/C, wire wheels Halogen headlights, electric wipers, 16 inch Davies Craig Thermo Fan and Hotchkiss front & rear sway bars. Also rewired with several relays. AM/FM radio with USB input.
I own a 57 312 D code 245 h.p. Thunderbird with the Fordomatic. Triple red. Holley made the carbs for the 312 besides Carter. I love the iconic looks of it. Yet the cabin is a bit cramped for my 6 foot 2, 245 lb. frame. The instruments are beautiful and spaced properly and quite elegant with the swirled designed metal dash really setting it off. I am buying a 63 Thunderbird convertible as they afford more room for me and they ride comfortable. The Bullet Bird is my favorite bird after the Early Birds.
What an awesome collection! And yes it is a bit tight for tall guys.
I get a kick out of the nickname the Carter 4bbls. had, they called them the 'Teapot', lol!!!
The 'Bullet' or 'Rocket' cars (styling influences from the Space Race of the era) are a whole different creature. They are much more comfortable for a full sized man, they unfortunately don't have quite the cornering ability nor a manual transmission should you happen to like them. The swing-away steering wheel is really cool, you'll definitely like that for ingress and egress, and it impresses hell out of onlookers, lol!!!
The 390/auto in them are both good natured performers, not particularly fast but do move the car with some authority.
Be EXTRA careful in regards to the transmission - there's an area of the case casting that's inherently a little weak.
It's generally non-issue from a warm climate 'life' but it was common in areas where the car may have been rocked in the snow for the case to crack in that area.
The last I knew (early 2000s) there was no established/specific repair. Some of these can be repaired by a fairly talented TIG welder and some hand finishing, and some not so much. Look the car over well - see if the seller will let you have a trans shop drop the pan, the repair is easily seen. If not, be particularly fussy about how the trans acts.
I've loved my 'Birds, one '57, one '63, two '65s and one '67.
Good luck on your purchase, and ENJOY!
@@Motor-City-Mike The cleaners were refrerred to as tea kettle that housed the two Holley 450cfm carburetors. Carter supplied the carbs for Chevrolet and Chyrsler and GM.
@@Mr1963corvette
I stand corrected - I now remember the teapots were the Holley design used prior to the 4150/4150 architecture.
I remember my brother pitching his to step up to the newer design (who knew the old version would have any value later).
The mis-thought may have come from the popularity of Carters in general during that era - I remember them well on other Marques of the time.
WOW NICE CAR IST STILL MY DREAMCAR BUT I HAVE A 1963 AND HAPPY
The Thunderbird was brought out by Ford to compete with Chevrolet's Corvette. From the get go, they offered roll up and even power windows, steering and brakes and seats versus the rather spartan features of the Corvette. The Thunderbirds were the epitome of luxury and were not really made to be a sports car like the Corvette was. Yes they raced the birds at Daytona against the Corvettes. But that was not their purpose to race against the Corvettes. They said that you bought a T-Bird for your wife, girlfriend or your mistress. This elegant, graceful looking car was what she drove to the country club or even the opera.
What if you had a wife, a girlfriend, and a mistress? Haha! Things got expensive fast.
@@DougsCars I do not know. I would not want to be in that kind of a lifestyle. It would be too stressful. LOL!
@@Mr1963corvette Hahahahaha
@@Mr1963corvette
The "E" and "F" birds weren't exactly girlie cars, one w/dual quads and the other supercharged they were aimed more at a man who like power with his luxury.
@@Motor-City-Mike I never implied or inferred that baby birds were "girlie" cars. I love my 57 D code. And I am a walking, talking encyclopedia on the Thunderbirds and their statistics I merely quoted what others have said about the Tbird being a car that women loved. In 58 Ford targeted women to sell the new square bird to.
I kinda wish these cars made it into some form of motorsports
It wouldn’t be too exciting.
They did.
Several compete at various Goodwood events.
Do you mean now or back in the day? In '57 they were super hot at Datona etc.
That's a beauty Doug. I'm surprised though by how tight it is inside. Def not a car for portly owners.
Unnecessarily GIANT steering wheel!
I laugh when I hear the term portly. A well moneyed fat boy, LOL!
Great video Doug 👍.......... enjoyed it muchly.....p.s. I'll. be seeing HubNut's Ford Fairmont AU at his next social in a fue week's.
Ohh Betty! Nice :)
Beautiful Car!!! TBird …..💨💨💨
I have always liked the 1955 to 1957 T Birds, although I can't tell which year is which. I think all or most of these had the removable hardtop. If you and a friend were out for a drive in this car and wanted to remove the top, is the trunk large enough to hold the top if the trunk was empty?
I’d say 99% not possible. The ‘57 has more trunk space, but it just doesn’t look big enough.
I have seen a Ford Skyliner that has a retractable roof that automatically fits into the trunk. These were made from 1957 to 1959.
@@franknew9001 I would love to drive one! I saw one at Amelia in May, it’s in my Concours video!!
Not the hardtop. The soft top and frame fit behind the bench seat in the baby birds. Buy the fibreglass hard top will not fit in there. You could not close the trunk lid anyway.
@@franknew9001 and mine was a D7
I'll have fun fun fun till Daddy takes my T Bird away
Yeah. Had to give it back. Not even the Beach Boys could help.
That's a Beauty
Very sweet car to drive.
Beautiful! I have a ‘57 bird that my mother purchased new, (I was 4 months old at the time), I’ve had it up for sale a time or two, but after seeing your video I think I’d better hold on to it. Btw, how tall are you? I’m 6’ 3” and my trick is to sit in the car first, then bring both legs in…. Thanks for posting
I’m the same height!! I’m sure with practice it wouldn’t be an issue.
One has to go in head first on your knees then pivot and turn and swing your legs in and down. The door pillar juts out to far at the waist level to allow regular sideways entry in and oyt.
If I wanna buy one like it how much would it be now???
Put spring shackles back up, worse ride. With proper springs they are belly flat, not down in the rear. I've owned an Emodel for 30 years, front disk brakes, long tube headers, performance cam, rear sway bar, traction bars, panhard rod, 4:11 posi, 3 speed OD. Solid construction, out corner and out brake a new mustang (500lbs less and 51/49 balance) difference is when a bird lets go takes 2 lanes to recover, more than enough power to make passengers poop. Vettes ride like lumber trucks compared to birds. Have both tops but never put them up. If its power steering get the smaller steering wheel. Even my 59 bird not built for 6' giants.
She always has been my dream car 57 T-Bird I like to do is keep the body I don't know if it's got a full frame under it got a unibody I love to take a Corvette engine and put it in put so nice chrome rims
It sounds like he says the TBirds had auto trans or 4 speed Manuel trans but Ford never offered a 4 speed trans in those early years !!!!!
obviously he did not know the car had avaiable to it retractable/ tilt steering wheel...and a smaller steering wheel as well to make entrance easier....
Something about that intro reminds me of Pee Wee Herman . . .
Hahahaha
I’m thinking about looking at these. Can I ask how tall are you?
About 6 foot 3…it’s a tight fit. Sit in one before buying if you’re tall!
Is this guy on speed?
Looks like it could have been a great video.
But, the potato quality video turned me off prior to half way thru. Shame.
You're too big for this car. People were smaller back then.
🤣
Definitely a woman's car
I rented a Ford EXP. Awful car!! 😖😖😖