1957 Ford Thunderbird Model F Convertible

The Thunderbird has been part of the automotive community for over 4 decades and has appeared with two and four seats, soft top, and coupe bodies, and powered by eight-, six-, and four-cylinder engines.

Beginning in 1950, Ford began coding engines into the vehicle ID number. The engine designation, always a single letter, often changed from year to year. For 1957, the Thunderbird got four, a C-Code 292, a 245-brake horsepower single four-barrel D-Code 312, an E-Code dual-quad option that developed 270 brake horsepower (or 285 with racing equipment), and the supercharged F-Code.

The 'F-Bird,' as it would become known, was intended to challenge Chevrolet's new-for-1957 fuel injection system and to dominate the nation's race tracks. In 1956, several T-Birds were modified with superchargers by Pete DePaolo in California under factory sponsorship. Early in 1957, some 14 cars were built up for NASCAR homologation using Paxton-McCullough VR-57 blowers. To feed the engine properly, the engines were given a high-pressure fuel pump. Other modifications included a hotter cam, modified combustion chambers, lower ratio, and dual-point distributor.

The F-Code option was available in any series of 1957 passenger cars. Just 208 (as many as 211) Thunderbirds were given the F-Code option.

This F-Code Thunderbird was originally consigned to the H.J. Minar dealership in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was invoiced on August 7, 1957, and was equipped with Positive Action wipers, the supercharged engine, heater, and defroster, and 7.50x14 white sidewall tires.

The car was purchased by Amos Minter from R.C. Dysthe in 1989. Minter drove the car for 17 years, prior to selling it to the current owner. At that point, the car had covered barely 47,000 miles. The car was given a nut-and-bolt restoration which was completed in 2008. The car has been driven just 15 miles from restoration, and it has never been shown.

The car is finished in original Flame red with a white vinyl interior. It has a black convertible top which replaced the original white vinyl item. It is one of sixteen supercharged Thunderbirds in this color.

The overhead valve V8 engine displaces 312 cubic-inches and offers 300 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014