Fun Fun Fun by the Beach Boys. Yet another great video. These are so informational and yet so much fun to watch! Keep up the great work, thanks for another great video to watch!
Thank you so much it really means a lot back home from vacation now I’m gonna try and do five videos a week last week I didn’t get to do that many between four and five videos a week.. that is the goal from here on out we’ll fluctuate a little bit it depends on workload I got some other things going on as well lol I have a really cool idea for the hundredth episode I just gotta figure out how to make it happen it’s going to be a totally different episode but it’s gonna be fun car related.. but super fun I’m incredibly stoked and that’s why I kind of hit the brakes a little bit this week because I don’t have all the pieces in place for it to happen yet and you can’t do the hundredth episode for the105th episode it wouldn’t make sense
@What.its.like. thanks for the speedy reply! a 57 thunderbird is my dream car I am at a place where I can afford one now but I'm 6' and kind off worried I won't fit comfortably.
I really appreciate the discussion of ergonomics. These were normal cars once upon a time, and it's fascinating the compromises that were made back then for styling. I've always liked the 55 and 56 but felt the 57 was the "cool" one, with a little bit tougher looks and more potent available engines. That there seems to be a bit more room is pretty interesting
Yeah ergonomics is a huge part that A lot of car RUclipsrs leave out.. I plan on showing how to get in all the cars moving forward I shot five cars that really show it but after those five are done definitely going to show how to get in and out of these cars because that’s a huge part of buying it can’t get in the car you don’t fit in the car you can’t really drive it.. some cars are really hard to get into but others are really hard to get out of.. I keep coming back to the school back in Golden heart because it’s a sports car but it has the seating position of a family hauler.. it was way of head of the time in that regard.. 54 vette is the worse car as far as space goes that I’ve been in so far, but it could change because I’ve only been in the Thunderbird and the Corvette from the 50s there’s other sports cars that I have at been in yet like Nash Healy, kaiser darrin. I’ve been looking for a Kaiser darrin there is one running around here they are so different
I own a 57 Ford Thunderbird ... Red, with a Red interior, white porthole hardtop and a Tan canvas convertible top. D Code care, 312 4 bbl, with the Ford-O-Matic transmission. Mine has the aftermarket Kelsey-Hayes style real wire spoke wheels. I have the original Ford Motor Company dealer invoice ... $3,232 to the dealer. Love it!!!!
Favorite was a 64 T-bird. I loved the wrap around back seat rest/cushion. Drove one on a date one night about 1965 so bird was pretty new. Great memory.
I reviewed the 64 Thunderbird earlier for the channel.. I love the interior in that car sitting position is fantastic as well as the steering wheel pencil thin.. I saw a convertible roadster model today super rare I didn’t get to talk to the owner though I didn’t see him
Thank you so much for that correction =) I thought because it was located so close to the windshield washer reservoir a.k.a. bag it would be associated with that
Now that's an unusual piece of engineering. But, from the looks of the engine bay & firewall, it would be hard as hell to fit the booster where's it mounted on most cars.
At 75yo, my hand still bears the scar from a 57T-Bird. I was ten at the time, and my cousin and I were playing with our model cars. We were pushing them back and forth across the floor when his 57 Thunderbird spun as I grabbed it. That 1/25th scale tail fin sliced my thumb. I can see the scar as I type this on my phone!
My grandmother had the next generation Thunderbird, a white convertible with red leather seats. My memory of seeing that car was vivid; as a 4 year old I flew over to Oahu Hawaii, to see my grandparents for the 1st time in October 1959. Hawaii became a state at the time that I was there, so I saw a lot of fireworks and celebrating going on. With the top down my grandmother toured all over every inch of the island of which she was so proud of. The car was the later 4 seater, a bit more accommodating but maybe less sporty. Alas, that beautiful white Thunderbird rusted out in the corrosive sea air of Hawaii so I never saw it again.
That’s crazy thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory not so awesome that the car disintegrated but still at four years old to remember that car.. it’s amazing what music, smells, and looking at old cars floods memories come back I had that with music yesterday they played all this music that was on when I was in school takes one back to that time Truly powerful
Great video Jay! I really do love the '57 American cars across the board, I just turned 65 in May '22 so being the same age is pretty neat; just wish it wasn't so long ago now. I have some awesome print ads for the cars of this year, as well as before and since. There really weren't any for the '57 T-Bird as such. The car would be included in some 2 page ads for Ford, Mercury and Lincoln. No single ads like in '55, '56, then again in 1958 and after. Ads in LIFE, Look and The Post were very influential, so the car sold pretty well without much help from any ads or TV. Ford knew the real money maker was coming with the '58 four-seater (they were right!!!) so this model was not promoted. (cont.) The ad dollars were focused on the all-new main Ford line and Mercury in '57. With '58 being a face-lift year for those, the ads focused on the Robert McNamara T-Bird and the Edsel. The Edsel months before the new 'Bird (Feb. '58), giving the the '57 a longer production run into December. This was similar to what happened with the '69 Camaro, with the all new '70 not coming out until Feb. either.
Out of the various engines available for the '57 Thunderbird, I like the E-code one best. It has plenty of power to haul ass if necessary, but doesn't add the complexity of a supercharger. The 3-speed w/overdrive gets the best gas mileage, but the torque converter might slip too much, so I'll stick to the manual. I'd make sure to have power steering and a radio. If power brakes are an option, I want them. The radio is mainly for traffic and weather reports, and the power brakes are one of those REQUIRED upgrades to be safe on the road.
Nice video, however, Glad to see so many others knew about the power brake booster, the vac to run the wiper motor and spayer comes from the fuel pump. And as far as "listed" cons, i don't know of any cars that age that won't rust at all, and i think mine handles great. Not a new super car mind you, but very well for its age.
Yeah that was an earlier episode it looked very foreign to me going to definitely cover another Thunderbird I don’t think we’ve got a 56 for the channel yet
First, what you said was part of the windshield washer system is actually a Midland power brake booster. These were popular power brake units, especially in vehicles which might have limited space, as they could be mounted remotely. These were sold well into the 1990's, atleast, and this was the most convenient way to add power brakes to any vehicle with a single circuit brake system. Did you realize that the tri-five T-birds had telescopic steering columns? That is what that sectioned chrome collar was just behind the steering wheel. You would loosen it, move the column where it best fit the driver, and then tighten the collar. It's been recommended that it not be used very much as the clamping fingers would break. As far as handling is concerned, the tri-five T-birds were always meant to be personal luxury cars and not sports cars. The subsequent T-birds also carried this air of style. With handling and maneuverability in mind, because the cars weren't balanced, this is why Ford offered the rear mounted spare tire. It was available on all tri-five T-birds and was never standard. It even made the T-birds look more like personal luxury cars and was an available option on other Ford cars and other non-Ford makes also offered it. Look at a 1958 Chevy Impala, where it was also a popular option. Also, in the T-birds small trunks, it freed up alot much space. You are catching on about transmissions! The 2-speed Ford-O-Matic, with the aluminum case, was only used for 1959-1964 Ford cars, most common in 1959-60 Edsels and from 1960 to 1964 Falcons, Comets, Fairlanes and 1964 1/2 Mustangs with 6 cyl. or 260 V8. I'm still wincing and shaking my head about that 1959 Mercury with the 2-speed automatic that you reviewed. Excellent video, as always!
Thank you so much for all that added information I was thinking about the telescoping steering wheel and the 56 it didn’t move on this one I think it was a part that needed fixed there was a couple small issues with the car that I featured.. Yeah I thought that was a power wash system for the windshield washer bag I should’ve watched where the hoses were coming from I had a 67 mustang it had power steering and not power brakes and I saw that you could convert the power steering pump into a power brake booster.. I was gonna do that because the brakes on the 67 mustang sucked i’ve known 30+ cars the 67 mustang was the hardest one out of all of them to stop. Call master cylinder with mechanical drum brakes on all four corners. My 52 Chevy truck it’s easier to stop in my Mustang my truck handles better than my Mustang frankly and possibly rides better to do both are pretty rough rides. Thank you as always for all the added information I really don’t know how much it really means to me =)
Thank you very much for the video :) ! As a side note: from what i have heard, in most cases left hand drive cars have the fuel filler on the right and right hand drive cars on the left. This is for the case when are running out of fuel and have to stop on the emergency lane. With the filler pointing to the side you don't have to be standing on the streat to fill the car up.So German cars have the filler on the right, UK and japanese cars on the left ;)
That’s interesting never thought of that most of the cars I’ve owned gas filler was one the left for left hand drive.. karman Ghia I had was under the hood engine in trunk
I new to your channel here's a car hardly anyone know about I have never seen one like the one I bought in 1981 in Redondo Beach California paid less than $1,000 for it unfortunately I sold it years ago wish I hadn't it is a 1969 Ford cortina GT two-door is white the black racing stripe I sold somebody in Wichita Kansas I seen some four doors out there and a bunch of them that are overseas it was a wonderful car 1600 CC 4 cylinder wooden dashboard all the gauges blue interior I really enjoyed that car for the short time I had it which was probably 3 years just don't see him out there anymore even back then I had to replace my brake cylinder rebuild kit it took over 3 weeks to get that little box of rubber anyways they were great car made by Ford I think in Canada good luck finding information there is a cortina car club in Los Angeles
I’ll look for a cortina first the channel I never saw one in person welcome to this channel lots of cool content 3 episodes away from 100 and it’s not even a year old yet ..
One thing that makes the interior a bit more livable you may not be aware of. The baby birds had a telescopic steering column that moved in and out by twisting the notched chrome collar to releast the lock and slide the column fore or aft to get best fit. Some get seriously `frozen' from lack of use as mostly owners are the only folks who know.
Yeah I forgot to telescope the steering wheel, the seats are one the floor I get why they did it, copied what the Europeans were doing MG triumph idk if xk120 is like that but it seems all early attempts follow that formula (I haven’t been in a kaiser darrin or Nash Healy yet) 54 vette is the worse seating position of any 50s car I’ve been in that episode will be posted tomorrow
You gotta wonder why cars with the gasoline filler in the center didn't have the same reputation that the Ford Pinto had. The filler being in the center the tank was located close to the back of the car to accommodate the filler pipe that had to be short for the trunk to do its job. With the fillers on the side the gas tank was located more forward the filler pipe could be located more forward keeping it out of the luggage storage area and safer from a rear-end collision. In this case, the filler pipe is located next to the spare tire, keeping it out of the luggage placement area.
It’s because the cars back then did not have the fuel pump inside the gas tank had fuel pumps that ran off the camshaft closer to the block so if you got rear ended in a car it didn’t blow up the Pinto blew up because the gas pump was usually compromise which led to Sparks and once the sparks came in contact with the fuel it just blew up
What you think is part of the windshield washer is part of the vacuum system that is for the power brakes.it MAY provide vacuum to the washer system. I don’t remember? Surfin Safari Beach Boys 1964.
It looked like it went to the washer bag.. I should have looked closer at the lines to see where they went, power brakes makes more sense brake pedal said power brakes ( it could have been power brakes and converted to manual brakes after the fact but kept the brake pedal) fun fun fun beach boys I have and know just about every beach boys song I have all their albums on vinyl up to and include if the smile album.. very powerful band when I hear one of their songs it’s like being transported back in time, beatles May have sold more albums but the Beatles music can’t take you to the coast of California with the girls and cars and surf. =)
@@What.its.like. I grew up very close to where they did.. Maybe 20 miles down the coast. They are a few years older than I am. I screwed up. The song was Fun Fun Fun. I knew that just screwed up.
Did you know that in 1958 they made some 4-Door Thunderbird Suicide vehicles because I saw one at A Kruse Auction that was held at the Volo Auto Museum in Volo Illinois around 1990 unfortunetly it did not sell and the Owner was from McHenry Illinois right near by!
You can add DUPER. There was about $36K of superfluous adjectives with the o-matics, radio, seats, etc.Ahhh! Those automotive marketers. I'm not sure but I think gas fill was more for station attendant. Believe it or NOT there are still 2 states that don't allow self service in 2022! It's hard to find full serve in Houston. If you want air check/fill , you go to a tire shop. You had to do the Hokey Pokey to get in that car. LOL! You made it. I was dyin' (camera fit in T-Bird, Mark III not so much) with the mile long hood. Sometimes, daddy gotta take T-Bird away.
Yeah I’m going to show getting in those cars now I shot 5-6 other cars that I didn’t show that but moving forward going to show that I know NJ they is still full service or it was the last time I was there it was like that.. what’s the other one.. it’s things like that, that make me sad that I didn’t grow up then. Just everything is so backwards now it’s disgusting.. now you can get a car in any color as long as it’s black white or 50 shades of gray maybe blue.. 50s colors are my favorites =)
Beautiful car! My brothers and I called that color "taillight red." Ford's red was the best, and an absolute favorite. Pair it with that off-white interior and it's a grand slam, IMHO. Happy Fourth, J!
Was Torch Red...Did you know that because of the demand for the end of year '57, Ford produced a few that had to be painted the 1958 model year Ford colors because they had already changed over to the 58 paint codes. AND, because they were not going to have factory Superchargers in 58, they offered the F Code Birds at no extra cost to deplete the supply of Superchargers.
What you have referred to a part of the windshield washer system is actually the Hydro-Vac brake booster. So this car does have power brakes even though the booster is not attached to the master cylinder. This type of booster is fairly common in the 1950s.
Thank you so much for that correction I saw the windshield washer bag right next to it and automatically thought that it had something to do with that I should’ve followed the lines down
In those days it didn’t matter where the gas filler was because most people never had to fill their own tank. The gas station attendant would fill it for you and you didn’t even have to get out of your car.
Yeah that’s a true point I totally forget about that sometimes he would come out here up your tires make sure that you had all your fluids topped off crazy thing is people think things are way better now.. you’re lucky if you can find somebody working at a gas station to take the money To put gas in your car now everything is completely backwards
Hey Jay, Happy 4th of July to you & your family!!! This 57 Thunderbird is sweet, it takes me back to when I was a little boy riding in my dad's T-Bird. It was identical to this one except it had a white top!!! You have to be careful getting in & out because you could easily bang your head on the top!!! These cars are much more comfortable with the top off!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🇺🇲
Did you notice how much I had a duck my head to get it it was hilarious and you’re right there’s so much better with the top off it was between posting this car or the 54 Corvette both American icon the 54 vets up next that car has taken the top spot of worst car seating position I’ve ever been and hopefully it will be posted tomorrow I did a whole comparison video of the Thunderbird seating position the problem was was couldn’t read the roller quite right because seats are completely flat and I didn’t think about it until after I shot all of it that there’s a way better way of doing that in the way that I did it. The seat in the 56 is a couple inches lower than the 57 believe it or not.. compared it to a 66 mustang seat the Mustang seats it’s 12 inches off the ground but it’s also pumped out and has an aggressive slant going down to the pedals that’s why it works beautifully. The Thunderbird doesn’t have an aggressive slant perception is hard to see in videos that’s why I use the water bottle to show how much water actually slanted down I didn’t do that for the Mustang but like I said I’m going to go back I’ll do it. =)
I totally will when I find one I have never seen one in person same thing with the Paxton super charge 57 Thunderbird I’ve only seen one of those in my lifetime and that was back in imperial Palace when that was a thing I was 16 years old that was half my lifetime ago.. but I will definitely keep a look out for that car
This is the car that almost killed the Corvette. To find an "F" code with the Paxton supercharger is as rare as hen's teeth! I can't get in one either.
I’ve only saw one F code thunderbird that was when I was 16 went to Las Vegas family vacay Imperial palace they had one.. when I saw it didn’t really know the significance of what I was looking at. They also had a Ghia concept car that was awesome I can’t remember the name of it it wasn’t a dual Ghia..
@@What.its.like. The shroud was the giveaway. I don't recall having ever seen a set up like that before. Did you happen to notice if the '55 & '56 T-Bird's had the same thing???
@@What.its.like. Also, things were different back then for sure. Most people now a days wouldn't be able to figure out where the high beam switch is. Good video and nice car.
Haha right I worked at Jk galleria last year after this video we had a 56 Buick century 4 dr ht come in and zach couldn’t figure out how to start it he let me get in and the starter was on the gas pedal he was upset that’s all it was hahaha some cars tho have starting Procedures that require multiple steps in which to start it
what can I say I came from a T Bird family I learned on a 63 I never quite understand why Ford carried it through the 2nd generation but you seldom see the master/slave system on the 2nd generation most restore's convert them to the more traditional firewall boosters
Yeah I’m a bit dyslexic I try though.. I don’t know how many times I had to retake the susceptible part it was at least five times =) That’s why I said or in other words Rust prone
I don’t know I never really looked into the whole membership program thing more than anything I just want this information to be accessible to the younger generation my generation included as well. Do you original goal of the channel is to get more younger generations involved in this so the hobby doesn’t die off because electric cars are coming.. these cars are machines they have souls they have personalities.. they are not generic.. when they brake it’s cheaper to fix them than to buy another one.. That was the idea, but in reality it has become much more than that, I never thought about stories and memories part and honestly it’s one of the biggest things I dig about this experience.. This was an idea I had at a craft show selling furniture last year, just an idea blank canvas is what everyone starts with.. i’m not gonna lie it was hard to figure out a format that I like I think I found a format that I like now it’s just improving it and making it better so it doesn’t become stale. =)
Thank you so much for the correction on pictures of the different engines on Google.. You should’ve seen the options I passed up FE engines even some MELs
I will say though there is more space in a 57 and there isn’t a 55 or 56 if you’re tall that car might not even be worth buying they’re very hard to get in and out of there just like the early Corvettes
@@What.its.like. I am 6' 3" and checked out a 57 a few days ago. It was a hardtop only car and I figured out how to easily get behind the wheel. Very comfortable once I was inside. I also did fine with my Miata and I find the 57 T-Bird quite a bit roomier.
Good video. I love the early vets and then they just got worse . The new ones are stupid ,ugly junk. You said this car is prone to leaking . What leaked . The roof or the rad or engine or transmission ?
Seals leaking water getting in everywhere old cars were/are machines new cars are appliances when you can upgrade parts with software that’s when you know it’s appliance. Machines need parts for upgrade
Put your butt on the seat, then swing your legs in. I have had 2 56's & 3 57's . Seating is the same. The steering wheel can be moved in and out. That is a brake booster, nothing to do with windshield washers.
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird is more valuable. Than my 1965 Ford Thunderbird. I'm only into cruising around with the radio blaring. Not into racing or proving myself. There's too many people into horsepower.
He was wrong about the bore & stroke of both engines. The 292 cubic In engine had a bore of 3,75" & stroke of 3,30". The 312 cu in engine had a bore of 3,80" & a stroke of 3.44" !
I want to do a bullet Bird that’s honestly my favorite design out of all the big birds.. =) and I’ve never been in one they have the cool sliding wheel that locks the car in park.. I also want to find a Chrysler 300 with a swivel seat those are cool gimmicks
I think starting from 1958 Thunderbird with manufactured at the Wixom plant, where Lincolns were also built. The big birds seem to be very Lincoln-ish starting in 58. It's not a bad thing. The little birds were closer to sports cars intended to compete head-on with Corvette. Thunderbird quality was far superior.
This guys opinion isn't based on knowledge. Better quality? Creature comforts? I keep a 57 performance Ebird and 59 bird 390 3speed OD after having had every bird model to 1980. I do not own later models because they're much harder to restore and maintain. 292/312 engines are better designs than FE due to FE head gaskets and closed intake, FEs also are Yblocks. Ford stopped 292/312 due to bore size limited. Rocker shaft oil problem N/A due to better oil. Ford put superchargers on stock 312s no worries is a big clue.
Tachometer is correct. you have 10 x 100 = 1000 RPM, next 20 x 100 = 2000 RPM, and finally 50 x 100 = 5000 RPM. the Tachometer is correct, simple math.
Yeah I mentioned it because most of the tachs are x1,000 instead of x100 just different to see it if you are used to seeing it another way.. different is cool =)
Fun Fun Fun by the Beach Boys. Yet another great video. These are so informational and yet so much fun to watch! Keep up the great work, thanks for another great video to watch!
Thank you so much it really means a lot back home from vacation now I’m gonna try and do five videos a week last week I didn’t get to do that many between four and five videos a week.. that is the goal from here on out we’ll fluctuate a little bit it depends on workload I got some other things going on as well lol I have a really cool idea for the hundredth episode I just gotta figure out how to make it happen it’s going to be a totally different episode but it’s gonna be fun car related.. but super fun I’m incredibly stoked and that’s why I kind of hit the brakes a little bit this week because I don’t have all the pieces in place for it to happen yet and you can’t do the hundredth episode for the105th episode it wouldn’t make sense
They don't make songs about VOLVOS!!
@@What.its.like. how tall are you?
@@choochbrigadier 6 foot 2
@What.its.like. thanks for the speedy reply! a 57 thunderbird is my dream car I am at a place where I can afford one now but I'm 6' and kind off worried I won't fit comfortably.
I THINK ITS INTERSTING TO TALK OF THE STYLING,,,THESE ARE REALLY SCULPTURES AND ART,,,,I BELIEVE,,,,EDU BCN
IMO 1957 T bird best looking of all years of T bird
I like the bullet birds personally 1961-1963
I really appreciate the discussion of ergonomics. These were normal cars once upon a time, and it's fascinating the compromises that were made back then for styling. I've always liked the 55 and 56 but felt the 57 was the "cool" one, with a little bit tougher looks and more potent available engines. That there seems to be a bit more room is pretty interesting
Yeah ergonomics is a huge part that A lot of car RUclipsrs leave out.. I plan on showing how to get in all the cars moving forward I shot five cars that really show it but after those five are done definitely going to show how to get in and out of these cars because that’s a huge part of buying it can’t get in the car you don’t fit in the car you can’t really drive it.. some cars are really hard to get into but others are really hard to get out of.. I keep coming back to the school back in Golden heart because it’s a sports car but it has the seating position of a family hauler.. it was way of head of the time in that regard..
54 vette is the worse car as far as space goes that I’ve been in so far, but it could change because I’ve only been in the Thunderbird and the Corvette from the 50s there’s other sports cars that I have at been in yet like Nash Healy, kaiser darrin.
I’ve been looking for a Kaiser darrin there is one running around here they are so different
I own a 57 Ford Thunderbird ... Red, with a Red interior, white porthole hardtop and a Tan canvas convertible top. D Code care, 312 4 bbl, with the Ford-O-Matic transmission. Mine has the aftermarket Kelsey-Hayes style real wire spoke wheels. I have the original Ford Motor Company dealer invoice ... $3,232 to the dealer. Love it!!!!
Your car sounds awesome =)
Favorite was a 64 T-bird. I loved the wrap around back seat rest/cushion. Drove one on a date one night about 1965 so bird was pretty new. Great memory.
I reviewed the 64 Thunderbird earlier for the channel.. I love the interior in that car sitting position is fantastic as well as the steering wheel pencil thin.. I saw a convertible roadster model today super rare I didn’t get to talk to the owner though I didn’t see him
@@What.its.like. Sure don't make em like they used too. The 50's cars were beautiful.
The thing that you put your hand on, near the washer fluid bag, IS the power brakes booster.
Thank you so much for that correction =) I thought because it was located so close to the windshield washer reservoir a.k.a. bag it would be associated with that
Now that's an unusual piece of engineering. But, from the looks of the engine bay & firewall, it would be hard as hell to fit the booster where's it mounted on most cars.
At 75yo, my hand still bears the scar from a 57T-Bird. I was ten at the time, and my cousin and I were playing with our model cars. We were pushing them back and forth across the floor when his 57 Thunderbird spun as I grabbed it. That 1/25th scale tail fin sliced my thumb. I can see the scar as I type this on my phone!
Wow
Great car I always like the 1957 t bird
We liked the "duper" add on, smiles.
I thought you would =)
@@What.its.like. "Super duper" is a direct quote from "Young Frankenstein," you know 🤭
My grandmother had the next generation Thunderbird, a white convertible with red leather seats. My memory of seeing that car was vivid; as a 4 year old I flew over to Oahu Hawaii, to see my grandparents for the 1st time in October 1959. Hawaii became a state at the time that I was there, so I saw a lot of fireworks and celebrating going on. With the top down my grandmother toured all over every inch of the island of which she was so proud of. The car was the later 4 seater, a bit more accommodating but maybe less sporty. Alas, that beautiful white Thunderbird rusted out in the corrosive sea air of Hawaii so I never saw it again.
That’s crazy thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory not so awesome that the car disintegrated but still at four years old to remember that car.. it’s amazing what music, smells, and looking at old cars floods memories come back
I had that with music yesterday they played all this music that was on when I was in school takes one back to that time Truly powerful
Great video Jay! I really do love the '57 American cars across the board, I just turned 65 in May '22 so being the same age is pretty neat; just wish it wasn't so long ago now. I have some awesome print ads for the cars of this year, as well as before and since. There really weren't any for the '57 T-Bird as such. The car would be included in some 2 page ads for Ford, Mercury and Lincoln. No single ads like in '55, '56, then again in 1958 and after. Ads in LIFE, Look and The Post were very influential, so the car sold pretty well without much help from any ads or TV. Ford knew the real money maker was coming with the '58 four-seater (they were right!!!) so this model was not promoted. (cont.)
The ad dollars were focused on the all-new main Ford line and Mercury in '57. With '58 being a face-lift year for those, the ads focused on the Robert McNamara T-Bird and the Edsel. The Edsel months before the new 'Bird (Feb. '58), giving the the '57 a longer production run into December. This was similar to what happened with the '69 Camaro, with the all new '70 not coming out until Feb. either.
Thank you so much for adding that information and digging the video =)
Very informative video and well done. I enjoyed watching it.
Awesome happy you dig this video
I remember reading that Ford made about 100 of them to test the market out back in 58!
Awesome information
Whenever i see that trunk liner...it screams FORD.
It always looked chessy to me
I kinda like the plaid ones from the 60s the ones that they used with the Mustangs
Out of the various engines available for the '57 Thunderbird, I like the E-code one best. It has plenty of power to haul ass if necessary, but doesn't add the complexity of a supercharger. The 3-speed w/overdrive gets the best gas mileage, but the torque converter might slip too much, so I'll stick to the manual. I'd make sure to have power steering and a radio. If power brakes are an option, I want them. The radio is mainly for traffic and weather reports, and the power brakes are one of those REQUIRED upgrades to be safe on the road.
Nice video, however,
Glad to see so many others knew about the power brake booster, the vac to run the wiper motor and spayer comes from the fuel pump.
And as far as "listed" cons, i don't know of any cars that age that won't rust at all, and i think mine handles great.
Not a new super car mind you, but very well for its age.
Yeah that was an earlier episode it looked very foreign to me going to definitely cover another Thunderbird I don’t think we’ve got a 56 for the channel yet
First, what you said was part of the windshield washer system is actually a Midland power brake booster. These were popular power brake units, especially in vehicles which might have limited space, as they could be mounted remotely. These were sold well into the 1990's, atleast, and this was the most convenient way to add power brakes to any vehicle with a single circuit brake system.
Did you realize that the tri-five T-birds had telescopic steering columns? That is what that sectioned chrome collar was just behind the steering wheel. You would loosen it, move the column where it best fit the driver, and then tighten the collar. It's been recommended that it not be used very much as the clamping fingers would break.
As far as handling is concerned, the tri-five T-birds were always meant to be personal luxury cars and not sports cars. The subsequent T-birds also carried this air of style. With handling and maneuverability in mind, because the cars weren't balanced, this is why Ford offered the rear mounted spare tire. It was available on all tri-five T-birds and was never standard. It even made the T-birds look more like personal luxury cars and was an available option on other Ford cars and other non-Ford makes also offered it. Look at a 1958 Chevy Impala, where it was also a popular option. Also, in the T-birds small trunks, it freed up alot much space.
You are catching on about transmissions! The 2-speed Ford-O-Matic, with the aluminum case, was only used for 1959-1964 Ford cars, most common in 1959-60 Edsels and from 1960 to 1964 Falcons, Comets, Fairlanes and 1964 1/2 Mustangs with 6 cyl. or 260 V8. I'm still wincing and shaking my head about that 1959 Mercury with the 2-speed automatic that you reviewed.
Excellent video, as always!
Thank you so much for all that added information I was thinking about the telescoping steering wheel and the 56 it didn’t move on this one I think it was a part that needed fixed there was a couple small issues with the car that I featured..
Yeah I thought that was a power wash system for the windshield washer bag I should’ve watched where the hoses were coming from I had a 67 mustang it had power steering and not power brakes and I saw that you could convert the power steering pump into a power brake booster.. I was gonna do that because the brakes on the 67 mustang sucked i’ve known 30+ cars the 67 mustang was the hardest one out of all of them to stop. Call master cylinder with mechanical drum brakes on all four corners. My 52 Chevy truck it’s easier to stop in my Mustang my truck handles better than my Mustang frankly and possibly rides better to do both are pretty rough rides.
Thank you as always for all the added information I really don’t know how much it really means to me =)
Thank you very much for the video :) ! As a side note: from what i have heard, in most cases left hand drive cars have the fuel filler on the right and right hand drive cars on the left. This is for the case when are running out of fuel and have to stop on the emergency lane. With the filler pointing to the side you don't have to be standing on the streat to fill the car up.So German cars have the filler on the right, UK and japanese cars on the left ;)
That’s interesting never thought of that most of the cars I’ve owned gas filler was one the left for left hand drive.. karman Ghia I had was under the hood engine in trunk
I new to your channel here's a car hardly anyone know about I have never seen one like the one I bought in 1981 in Redondo Beach California paid less than $1,000 for it unfortunately I sold it years ago wish I hadn't it is a 1969 Ford cortina GT two-door is white the black racing stripe I sold somebody in Wichita Kansas I seen some four doors out there and a bunch of them that are overseas it was a wonderful car 1600 CC 4 cylinder wooden dashboard all the gauges blue interior I really enjoyed that car for the short time I had it which was probably 3 years just don't see him out there anymore even back then I had to replace my brake cylinder rebuild kit it took over 3 weeks to get that little box of rubber anyways they were great car made by Ford I think in Canada good luck finding information there is a cortina car club in Los Angeles
I’ll look for a cortina first the channel I never saw one in person welcome to this channel lots of cool content 3 episodes away from 100 and it’s not even a year old yet ..
the thing you said is the window washer is the power booster for the power brakes the did it that way till the 3rd generation "Tbird"
Thank you for that correction I should have saw where the lines went and then said what it was
One thing that makes the interior a bit more livable you may not be aware of. The baby birds had a telescopic steering column that moved in and out by twisting the notched chrome collar to releast the lock and slide the column fore or aft to get best fit. Some get seriously `frozen' from lack of use as mostly owners are the only folks who know.
Yeah I forgot to telescope the steering wheel, the seats are one the floor I get why they did it, copied what the Europeans were doing MG triumph idk if xk120 is like that but it seems all early attempts follow that formula (I haven’t been in a kaiser darrin or Nash Healy yet) 54 vette is the worse seating position of any 50s car I’ve been in that episode will be posted tomorrow
You gotta wonder why cars with the gasoline filler in the center didn't have the same reputation that the Ford Pinto had. The filler being in the center the tank was located close to the back of the car to accommodate the filler pipe that had to be short for the trunk to do its job. With the fillers on the side the gas tank was located more forward the filler pipe could be located more forward keeping it out of the luggage storage area and safer from a rear-end collision. In this case, the filler pipe is located next to the spare tire, keeping it out of the luggage placement area.
It’s because the cars back then did not have the fuel pump inside the gas tank had fuel pumps that ran off the camshaft closer to the block so if you got rear ended in a car it didn’t blow up the Pinto blew up because the gas pump was usually compromise which led to Sparks and once the sparks came in contact with the fuel it just blew up
great video... Loved the detail
Awesome happy you dig this episode =)
What you think is part of the windshield washer is part of the vacuum system that is for the power brakes.it MAY provide vacuum to the washer system. I don’t remember? Surfin Safari Beach Boys 1964.
It looked like it went to the washer bag.. I should have looked closer at the lines to see where they went, power brakes makes more sense brake pedal said power brakes ( it could have been power brakes and converted to manual brakes after the fact but kept the brake pedal) fun fun fun beach boys
I have and know just about every beach boys song I have all their albums on vinyl up to and include if the smile album.. very powerful band when I hear one of their songs it’s like being transported back in time, beatles May have sold more albums but the Beatles music can’t take you to the coast of California with the girls and cars and surf. =)
@@What.its.like. I grew up very close to where they did.. Maybe 20 miles down the coast. They are a few years older than I am. I screwed up. The song was Fun Fun Fun. I knew that just screwed up.
Did you know that in 1958 they made some 4-Door Thunderbird Suicide vehicles because I saw one at A Kruse Auction that was held at the Volo Auto Museum in Volo Illinois around 1990 unfortunetly it did not sell and the Owner was from McHenry Illinois right near by!
I didn’t know that thank you so much for sharing that information
You can add DUPER. There was about $36K of superfluous adjectives with the o-matics, radio, seats, etc.Ahhh! Those automotive marketers. I'm not sure but I think gas fill was more for station attendant. Believe it or NOT there are still 2 states that don't allow self service in 2022! It's hard to find full serve in Houston. If you want air check/fill , you go to a tire shop. You had to do the Hokey Pokey to get in that car. LOL! You made it. I was dyin' (camera fit in T-Bird, Mark III not so much) with the mile long hood. Sometimes, daddy gotta take T-Bird away.
Yeah I’m going to show getting in those cars now I shot 5-6 other cars that I didn’t show that but moving forward going to show that
I know NJ they is still full service or it was the last time I was there it was like that.. what’s the other one.. it’s things like that, that make me sad that I didn’t grow up then. Just everything is so backwards now it’s disgusting.. now you can get a car in any color as long as it’s black white or 50 shades of gray maybe blue.. 50s colors are my favorites =)
Jay, that’s not the windshield washer pump. That’s the power brake booster!
Thank you for that correction
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you =)
Beautiful car! My brothers and I called that color "taillight red." Ford's red was the best, and an absolute favorite. Pair it with that off-white interior and it's a grand slam, IMHO. Happy Fourth, J!
Happy fourth =) I totally agree
Was Torch Red...Did you know that because of the demand for the end of year '57, Ford produced a few that had to be painted the 1958 model year Ford colors because they had already changed over to the 58 paint codes. AND, because they were not going to have factory Superchargers in 58, they offered the F Code Birds at no extra cost to deplete the supply of Superchargers.
@@charlesf4428 Thanks! And a trivia bonus too! Wow!
What you have referred to a part of the windshield washer system is actually the Hydro-Vac brake booster. So this car does have power brakes even though the booster is not attached to the master cylinder. This type of booster is fairly common in the 1950s.
Thank you so much for that correction I saw the windshield washer bag right next to it and automatically thought that it had something to do with that I should’ve followed the lines down
the power brake was a master/slave system the brakes power booster is that appratis behind the windshield washer bag
Thank you for that information =)
In those days it didn’t matter where the gas filler was because most people never had to fill their own tank. The gas station attendant would fill it for you and you didn’t even have to get out of your car.
Yeah that’s a true point I totally forget about that sometimes he would come out here up your tires make sure that you had all your fluids topped off crazy thing is people think things are way better now.. you’re lucky if you can find somebody working at a gas station to take the money To put gas in your car now everything is completely backwards
Hey Jay, Happy 4th of July to you & your family!!! This 57 Thunderbird is sweet, it takes me back to when I was a little boy riding in my dad's T-Bird. It was identical to this one except it had a white top!!! You have to be careful getting in & out because you could easily bang your head on the top!!! These cars are much more comfortable with the top off!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🇺🇲
Did you notice how much I had a duck my head to get it it was hilarious and you’re right there’s so much better with the top off it was between posting this car or the 54 Corvette both American icon the 54 vets up next that car has taken the top spot of worst car seating position I’ve ever been and hopefully it will be posted tomorrow
I did a whole comparison video of the Thunderbird seating position the problem was was couldn’t read the roller quite right because seats are completely flat and I didn’t think about it until after I shot all of it that there’s a way better way of doing that in the way that I did it. The seat in the 56 is a couple inches lower than the 57 believe it or not.. compared it to a 66 mustang seat the Mustang seats it’s 12 inches off the ground but it’s also pumped out and has an aggressive slant going down to the pedals that’s why it works beautifully. The Thunderbird doesn’t have an aggressive slant perception is hard to see in videos that’s why I use the water bottle to show how much water actually slanted down I didn’t do that for the Mustang but like I said I’m going to go back I’ll do it. =)
@@What.its.like. I did notice the difficulty you had getting in the car!!! Your review is spot on!!! 👍👍
That is not a windshield wiper accessory it’s the brake hydrovac. They eventually put it behind the master cylinder.
Thank you so much for that correction
Do a story on the 1962-63 M-code very rare T-Bird some say they were 400HP factory rated at 335 have you ever seen one?
I totally will when I find one I have never seen one in person same thing with the Paxton super charge 57 Thunderbird I’ve only seen one of those in my lifetime and that was back in imperial Palace when that was a thing I was 16 years old that was half my lifetime ago.. but I will definitely keep a look out for that car
This is the car that almost killed the Corvette. To find an "F" code with the Paxton supercharger is as rare as hen's teeth! I can't get in one either.
I’ve only saw one F code thunderbird that was when I was 16 went to Las Vegas family vacay Imperial palace they had one.. when I saw it didn’t really know the significance of what I was looking at. They also had a Ghia concept car that was awesome I can’t remember the name of it it wasn’t a dual Ghia..
@@What.its.like. I couldn't get over the number of Duesies at the Imperial Palace.
The radiator is small looking, but the fan looks big for the size of the radiator.
Yeah it does glad I’m not the only one that saw that
@@What.its.like. The shroud was the giveaway. I don't recall having ever seen a set up like that before.
Did you happen to notice if the '55 & '56 T-Bird's had the same thing???
I think the 56 was like that I haven’t done a 55 for the channel yet
@@What.its.like. Thanks Jay.
I can't believe he said that the power brake booster was part of the windshield washer.
Mistakes were made the videos old
@@What.its.like. Also, things were different back then for sure. Most people now a days wouldn't be able to figure out where the high beam switch is. Good video and nice car.
Haha right
I worked at Jk galleria last year after this video we had a 56 Buick century 4 dr ht come in and zach couldn’t figure out how to start it he let me get in and the starter was on the gas pedal he was upset that’s all it was hahaha some cars tho have starting Procedures that require multiple steps in which to start it
Nice car
=)
The C code Thunderbird 292c.i. engine uses a two venturi or 2 barrel carburetor not a four venturi of 4 barrelcarburetor.
Thank you so much for the corrections =)
You totally blew past the fact that the 340 horse motor was SUPERCHARGED!
I thought I said it was I’ll double check =)
@@What.its.like. yes you did, he obviously wasn't listening!!!🤔🧐🙄
what can I say I came from a T Bird family I learned on a 63 I never quite understand why Ford carried it through the 2nd generation but you seldom see the master/slave system on the 2nd generation most restore's convert them to the more traditional firewall boosters
In the specs ,you say 181.4 in tall . I 5hink you mean long . Good episode. 👍
Yeah I’m a bit dyslexic I try though.. I don’t know how many times I had to retake the susceptible part it was at least five times =)
That’s why I said or in other words Rust prone
excellent!!
Hi there and I appreciate your channel since I love old cars. Also I wonder why you don't have a membership? Happy 4th.
Membership to what?? Lol I glad you dig the channel
@@What.its.like. To your Channel of course. LOL
I don’t know I never really looked into the whole membership program thing more than anything I just want this information to be accessible to the younger generation my generation included as well. Do you original goal of the channel is to get more younger generations involved in this so the hobby doesn’t die off because electric cars are coming.. these cars are machines they have souls they have personalities.. they are not generic.. when they brake it’s cheaper to fix them than to buy another one..
That was the idea, but in reality it has become much more than that, I never thought about stories and memories part and honestly it’s one of the biggest things I dig about this experience..
This was an idea I had at a craft show selling furniture last year, just an idea blank canvas is what everyone starts with.. i’m not gonna lie it was hard to figure out a format that I like I think I found a format that I like now it’s just improving it and making it better so it doesn’t become stale. =)
Try power brake booster, remotely mounted
It is the brake booster (remote)
In your special V-8 pic you posted the F code supercharger pic not the D code engine.
You posted the correct pic for the E Code
Thank you so much for the correction on pictures of the different engines on Google.. You should’ve seen the options I passed up FE engines even some MELs
that super V8 pass everything on the highway but a gas station
The supercharged one would be super cool to see in action
That is the power booster. On the pedal says it is power brakes.
Wonderful car but God help you if you're over 6' tall.
I will say though there is more space in a 57 and there isn’t a 55 or 56 if you’re tall that car might not even be worth buying they’re very hard to get in and out of there just like the early Corvettes
@@What.its.like. I am 6' 3" and checked out a 57 a few days ago. It was a hardtop only car and I figured out how to easily get behind the wheel. Very comfortable once I was inside. I also did fine with my Miata and I find the 57 T-Bird quite a bit roomier.
Good video. I love the early vets and then they just got worse . The new ones are stupid ,ugly junk. You said this car is prone to leaking . What leaked . The roof or the rad or engine or transmission ?
Seals leaking water getting in everywhere old cars were/are machines new cars are appliances when you can upgrade parts with software that’s when you know it’s appliance. Machines need parts for upgrade
Put your butt on the seat, then swing your legs in. I have had 2 56's & 3 57's . Seating is the same. The steering wheel can be moved in and out. That is a brake booster, nothing to do with windshield washers.
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird is more valuable. Than my 1965 Ford Thunderbird. I'm only into cruising around with the radio blaring. Not into racing or proving myself. There's too many people into horsepower.
=)
Please don't blare it on my street unless you've got Ray Charles or CSN&Y playing 😁
He was wrong about the bore & stroke of both engines. The 292 cubic In engine had a bore of 3,75" & stroke of 3,30". The 312 cu in engine had a bore of 3,80" & a stroke of 3.44" !
Thank you so much for the correction =)
The 58-66 had much better quality and creature comforts.332-428power the y blocks had problems ..
I want to do a bullet Bird that’s honestly my favorite design out of all the big birds.. =) and I’ve never been in one they have the cool sliding wheel that locks the car in park.. I also want to find a Chrysler 300 with a swivel seat those are cool gimmicks
I think starting from 1958 Thunderbird with manufactured at the Wixom plant, where Lincolns were also built. The big birds seem to be very Lincoln-ish starting in 58. It's not a bad thing. The little birds were closer to sports cars intended to compete head-on with Corvette. Thunderbird quality was far superior.
This guys opinion isn't based on knowledge. Better quality? Creature comforts? I keep a 57 performance Ebird and 59 bird 390 3speed OD after having had every bird model to 1980. I do not own later models because they're much harder to restore and maintain. 292/312 engines are better designs than FE due to FE head gaskets and closed intake, FEs also are Yblocks. Ford stopped 292/312 due to bore size limited. Rocker shaft oil problem N/A due to better oil. Ford put superchargers on stock 312s no worries is a big clue.
Owned a 57 bird 66 bird unrestored a 59vette still have the 66 the vett sucked too 🙄
Ps the 66 liked to jump into reverse in park was recalled to do w tilt wheel careful 64-66 models
Tachometer is correct. you have 10 x 100 = 1000 RPM, next 20 x 100 = 2000 RPM, and finally 50 x 100 = 5000 RPM. the Tachometer is correct, simple math.
Yeah I mentioned it because most of the tachs are x1,000 instead of x100 just different to see it if you are used to seeing it another way.. different is cool =)