Two years after Chevrolet began deliveries of its hot Motorama show car, the Corvette, Ford responded in 1955 with the Thunderbird. The 1955 Corvette and Thunderbird were both two-seaters based on production sedan components, but the similarity ended there. The Thunderbird was a sporty two-seater for cruising and personal transportation with no pretensions of being a sports car. That proved to be exactly what the market wanted and in 1955 Ford sold 16,155 Thunderbirds – that was 23 Thunderbirds for every Corvette built.

The 1956 Thunderbird was changed only in details from ’55, but Ford gave its two-seater a complete makeover for 1957 with a clean and open grille and extended rear fenders and trunk to accommodate the spare tire. The “high-canted fenders” of full size Fords (Ford’s term for the ‘57s angled tailfins), also appeared on the Thunderbird, nicely accenting the longer trunk and fenders. It was a classic design that boosted sales by a third from 1956. It also has stood the test of time and is today recognized as a milestone in modern Detroit design.

This 1957 Thunderbird was previously in a respected collection and has been carefully restored to show-quality condition with particular attention to original fit, finish and function. Attractively finished in gunmetal gray with black and white interior and a black Haartz cloth convertible top, it is powered by the Thunderbird 292 cubic inch Y-block V-8 rated at 212 horsepower and has a three-speed manual transmission. Equipped with full wheel covers, power brakes and the engine dress-up kit, the restoration is still fresh, sharp and accurately detailed with production line codes and check-off markings. It even features Ford script headlights.

Ford’s take on the two-seater has proved to be exactly correct, both in the Fifties and through ensuing decades. The two-seat Thunderbird is a collectors’ favorite, which has validated its concept, design and execution from the vantage point of hindsight. This ’57 Thunderbird is as eye-catching today as it was when new nearly 50 years ago. Flawlessly and accurately restored, then carefully maintained, it will be an outstanding addition to any collection. Even in a line of 1957 Thunderbirds its distinctive gunmetal gray will stand out and be appreciated for the way it complements the clean, long lines of the last two-seat Thunderbird.