THE “F-BIRD”

By 1957, Americans were beginning to quench their thirst for horsepower in the post-war era. Eight-cylinder engines from both Ford and Chevrolet seemed to be gaining horsepower by the year, with each company vying to have the best powerplant. Chevrolet offered fuel injection in the Bel Air and Corvette for the first time that year, while Ford introduced a supercharger option for their passenger cars, which sent customers back into Ford dealerships for the latest and greatest “T-Bird.”

This new car was nicknamed the “F-Bird,” for the letter F in the chassis designation, which signified the presence of a supercharger that was fitted to Ford’s existing 312-cubic inch V-8 engine and Holley four-barrel carburetor. It produced 300 horsepower and transformed the Thunderbird from a luxury cruiser into a car that could handedly put Chevrolet’s fuel-injected models in its rearview mirror. Of the 21,380 Thunderbirds produced in 1957, supercharged cars were said to number somewhere between 208 and 211 cars, making them the most revered of their breed.

THIS EXAMPLE

This 1957 F-Bird was originally delivered to Summers Motor Company, of Springfield, Tennessee, according to its original factory invoice, and it was believed to have been purchased new by Jon Csicsila, of Hinckley, Ohio. It was finished in Raven Black with a two-tone Black and White interior, and it was originally equipped with a white soft-top and black hardtop, along with a signal-seeking radio, a heater and defroster, full wheel covers, and positive-action wipers, as it appears today. Csicsila, who was drafted into military service shortly after purchasing the car, stored it in his garage in Ohio since his deployment, and he used it sparingly upon it return. He would be the sole caretaker of this F-Bird for the majority of its life, and during this time, he always kept it in his enclosed garage and rarely drove it, as it was his prized possession.

In the early 1990s, Csicsila was forced to sell his Thunderbird in order to finance a business, and it was purchased by Ross Gibaldi, of Medina, Ohio. Gibaldi commissioned a full frame-off restoration of the car to its original specifications, which was completed in 1993. Following the restoration, this F-Bird was awarded a VMCCA Golden Award of Excellence, and it was shown at numerous shows, including at the AACA Eastern Regional Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It would go on to accrue numerous additional awards, attesting to the quality of its restoration and proving that it was one of the finest in existence. Mr. Pack, only the third owner, acquired the car in 2002, and from that point on, it quickly earned a place of honor in his collection as one of his favorite Thunderbirds.

Although 1957 would herald the end of the two-seater Thunderbird (until the dawn of the 21st century), the F-Bird remains one of the most desirable examples to enthusiasts today, as it has a unique combination of cutting-edge performance and luxurious practicality. The car is equipped with both its original wheels and a set of Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, and it is accompanied by a rare and desirable original factory supercharger gauge pod. This Thunderbird has been wonderfully preserved and maintained in Mr. Pack’s care for over 10 years, and it wears its restoration with pride.

It goes without saying that this is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the collection, as it one of the rarest and most desirable models of Ford’s most iconic automobile. The individual looking for the ultimate Thunderbird should look no further than this wonderful F-Bird, which boasts known history and just three owners from new.