1957 Ford Thunderbird Model F Convertible

The European landscape birthed many sporty automobiles in the immediate post-World War II, inspiring the U.S. market to follow suit. General Motors introduced its Corvette in 1953, and Ford followed with its Thunderbird in 1955. The latter was a two-seater roadster with many contemporary Ford design cues, and offered with a range of potent eight-cylinder engines. The first generation of the Thunderbird was phased out in 1957, having succeeded in its goal of attracting a younger audience and 'setting the bar' for performance and style.

Thunderbirds equipped with the 'F-Code' option were known as the 'F-Birds.' This option included the Thunderbird Special 312 cu-in OHV V8 engine fitted with a McCulloch/Paxton centrifugal supercharger, pressure-sealed Holley four-barrel carburetor, and reinforced cylinder heads. The factory stated these engines produced 300 horsepower, while period tests and even Paxton Products themselves put the figure closer to 400! Additional tweaking allowed an F-Code Thunderbird to outrun the Corvettes at the 1957 Daytona Speed Week Trials, making a two-way 138.75 mph flying mile, and was later timed at 160 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Automobile Manufacturers' Association chose to outlaw direct factory participation in racing beginning in June 1957, and as a result, the Thunderbird planned for 1958 was aimed strictly at the personal luxury market. Shedding much of its sporty persona, the Thunderbird would embrace luxury and comfort.

The F-Code remains an icon of the performance Thunderbird era. Adding over 10 percent to the Thunderbird's base price, the F-Code was reserved for the most discerning and performance-minded customer. Of the 21,380 Thunderbirds produced in 1957, approximately 197 were delivered with the F-Code supercharged engine package.

This particular F-Code Thunderbird left the factory wearing a Gunmetal Grey exterior. It has been given a full nut-and-bolt restoration by Thunderbird expert Amos Minter and his restoration facility, Minter's Thunderbirds.

This F-Code Thunderbird was completed at the Dearborn plant during the Fall of 1957, and invoiced to Klew Motor Sales of Los Angeles, California, on November 23. It was given the F-Code 312 CID V8 engine, a factory hardtop top, and finished in Gunmetal Grey.

This Thunderbird had been in California and then in Phoenix, Arizona, with David Ivan through the 1970s and 1980s. Mr. Minter was able to purchase it in the early 2000s in unrestored yet solid condition. Bringing it to his Dallas, Texas facility, the car remained with Mr. Minter in his personal collection for the next few decades. Later, it was given a factory-correct concours quality restoration.

In 2021, the car was sold to Judge Joseph Cassini before the restoration had been completed. When the work was completed, the Gunmetal Grey F-Code Thunderbird joined the Cassini Collection.

The interior of this Thunderbird is done in Flame Red and it rides on chrome wire wheels with three-eared spinner hubs. There are power steering and brakes, a factory jack, a lug wrench, fully restored spare tire, and a classic 'porthole' factory hardtop in Gunmetal Grey.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024