This E-Code Thunderbird was built in the last week of production for the first generation design. It was originally purchased in California and has spent most of its existence in the state. It also had a short period in Nevada, but has always been a dry climate vehicle. The current owner purchased this special car from the second owner who had initially had the intent of restoring the car to be a “very nice driver.” After driving and enjoying the Thunderbird for approximately 10,000 miles, it was time for a restoration. With the knowledge that the car was in such great condition, with minimal rust and no collision damage; it was decided to execute a frame-off restoration to premium car show standards.

The E-Code has won three Gold Medallion awards at Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI) shows. It has won First Place, People’s Choice and Best of Show at each Pageant of the Thunderbird show that it has been entered in. At the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance it was judged as Best American GT and Best Small Thunderbird all three times it was entered. The most recent of these is from 2005. This well-documented car is restored to run and be driven. With its strong mechanical attributes, it does not have to spend its time as a “trailer queen.”

Out of 21,380 Thunderbirds produced in 1957, approximately 1,300 had the E-Code performance option. This is one of this rarified group of factory E-Codes; that is defined by its 312-cid, 270-hp V-8 engine with two four-barrel carburetors. All components, such as the manifold, carbs, fuel filter, air cleaner, linkage, and so on – are from this very car. The engine has been rebuilt with a standard bore and forged pistons with chrome rings. The crankshaft has .001 under bearings on the rods and standards on the mains. New cam bearings, roller timing chain and sprockets, Ford performance cam, stainless steel exhaust valves, valve springs, oil pump, brass freeze plugs, and it is completely balanced. The block and heads were chemically cleaned to remove all water-jacket rust and then Magnafluxed to ensure the castings integrity. With the Ford performance cam, the power is boosted to 285 horsepower with this set-up. The radiator is a new four-row core with the original tanks. The engine also has the optional Engine Dress-Up Kit. The engine compartment is absolutely meticulous in presentation.

The manual transmission with overdrive has been disassembled and overhauled. All clutch components are new. The differential has been disassembled and only new seals and preload were required. The brakes are new and use silicone brake fluid. The Thunderbird also received new wheel bearings, races and seals.

The frame has been stripped bare and was checked for alignment (none required), smoothed, bead-blasted and powder-coated. All of the chassis components, including the A-frames, coil springs, stabilizer bar, backing plates and rear axle housing are also powder-coated.

The body also received detailed attention. The doors, hood and trunk were fitted and marked before the body was removed from the frame. All sheet metal was stripped to bare metal, metal was smoothed as required, treated with anti-rust material, primed and allowed to shrink. Then it was block-sanded; undercoated per original specifications, painted with color, color sanded, final color and clear coat then applied. The paint is acrylic enamel with urethane clear coat. The body was supported in a rollable rack to allow the proper painting of the entire car, including the underside. All body shims were replaced as per the original with additional final alignment after the body was rejoined with the frame.

The E-Code has an all new bronze interior. All dashboard aluminum has been restored. All of the instruments, including the clock and Town and Country radio have been disassembled and restored. All are stated to operate “perfectly.” The rubber throughout the vehicle has been replaced. The top frame has been properly aligned to this body and then powder-coated in black. The swing-arms are powder-coated in tan. The top hinge-pins are also all new. The fabric is Haartz Stayfast, regarded as the highest quality grade of canvas, and is properly fitted.

The trunk is accurately fitted with new Burtex and also has the spare tire, original jack and appropriate accessories.

The overall processes employed in restoring this fine machine are of the first rate. All metal items finished in black, that could withstand the heat process, were powder-coated. Additional black items have been painted with Imron. Plating finishes include copper, nickel, chrome, white cadmium, blue zinc and black zinc. Many other metal treatments were utilized, including gun bluing, die-cast irriditing, steel irriditing and sodium silicate. All parts received a rigid level of inspection. The motto during the assembly was “good enough is not good enough.”

This E-Code Thunderbird was presented in the 1990 Cars and Parts Annual. It was featured as one of the most collectable cars in that issue. The February 1991 issue of the same magazine shows the car in the coverage of the Palm Springs Concours. The Ford was also the cover car for the January / February 1992 issue of Early Bird Magazine. Many other magazines have featured this car numerous times. It is truly a fine representation of this special model.