1957 Ford Thunderbird 'E-Code' - High Performance Luxury

It may not look like it based on its long-bodied, big bumper, classy exterior, but the '57 Ford Thunderbird E-Code is a high performance machine. It toes the line between power and plush, and the 312ci SBF pumped out more ponies than any V8 Chevrolet offered at the time.
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[@melvinburwell8202]

Arguably the most beautiful car America ever produced. And a Ford sports car. Two seater. Magnificent. I'm drooling. 😂 Thanks again Mr O.❤❤

[@ashleygordon3467]

All Thunderbirds, until the 1970’s, are things of great beauty. My favourite is a bullet bird convertible, but I appreciate them all.

[@michaelcroos4713]

I grew up with one of these, in baby blue, as depicted, owned by my godfather. I found out later it was called an E-code. Beautiful!... Never saw it with a fiberglass top on, never rode in it with the top up.

[@kennethswain6313]

I had a ‘55 stick shift but the ‘ 57 was more refined with many more options.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

But your 55 was lighter and more nimble.

[@danontherun5685]

@@michaelbenardo5695 The 57 is a much better built bird.

[@johnboydTx]

Donald smiling ear to ear 😁 Classic on a back roads 👏👏👏 Adventures finding a Destination .... Today's plastic car's are Transportation 😢💔 Happy Motoring Everyone ✌️🤠

[@Doug-mc3dd]

4:13 Stunning design.Its a thing of great beauty. I remember when these cars were on the road as daily drivers and still thought they were cool. That pic just takes me back to the late 50s and early 60s when I was riding my tricycle, but still admiring the cars on the roads.

[@TheArkDoc]

I absolutely love these little birds. I have a pristine 1964 Thunderbird Covertible and a 1970 sportsroof landau Thunderbird. Love old birds.

[@danontherun5685]

I used to run 60s birds but now no later than 1960 due to easy restoration and simple maintenance. 59 with factory 3spd OD is my favorite super cruiser.

[@steve20118]

A 64 T-bird is just beautiful!

[@MrIslandman59]

What a beautiful classic of Ford engineering, the grill reminded me of a recent long hike I took in the mountains, I was breathing so hard I had leaves stuck to the seat of my pants!😂 Thanks so much, Donald!

[@Doug-mc3dd]

I have always been a fan of the Tri-5 T-Birds 55-57 and the Tri-6 T-Birds 64-66. All 6 are just beautiful cars.

[@richb419]

Hi. I was 9 years old when I first saw the 57 T-bird loved it then and still love it!

[@BFSilenceDogood]

Donald's ear to ear smile driving says it all.

[@opera93]

Thanks, WOW…..what a Classic.

[@spencersmith2798]

A true classic.

[@user-bm8ei5ub1c]

a car with class...and can kick some ass

[@richcoleman469]

Beautiful 57 T-bird. In 67 I had the larger version , a 57 Fairlane with a 312 and I put a 390 4-barrel carb on and had a 3 speed conversion on the floor. Wish I still had it.

[@danontherun5685]

Early 70s I did that too, so much fun I got beat up by a really angry state patrolman. Another 'fun' episode later sold it to my brother warning him not to bring it back to this country for a year. I would not FE a 57 again though, 292 blocks are better engines for that weight car. I have 2 of them.

[@sparkplug0000]

The days when American auto manufacturers had the guts to make a car that wasn’t black, white, or heaven help us, gray.

[@johnboydTx]

👏👏👏👏 yes Those were the days 😉 Enjoy ✌️

[@kbc163]

I enjoyed taking that trip with you. What a beautiful car! 👍

[@eeblatter]

I grew up in a very car centric Southern California. Back in the day we always regarded them as "secretary" or Real Estate agent cars. My dad's secretary ,(office manager), had one and complained that the dealer had to pull up the motor to change the spark plugs. Corvettes were for the real car guys in that era. Like 77 Sunset Strip. My dad drove a 190 SL in those days. A proper sports car. ;-)

[@michaelbenardo5695]

But a Thunderbird could easily outrun it without even trying

[@UberLummox]

@@michaelbenardo5695 Spoken like a true real estate agent. How do you figure???

[@michaelbenardo5695]

292 - 312 V8 vs a little 4 cylinder of less than 150 cubes. No contest.

[@danontherun5685]

Blatant lie, standard socket wrench very easy. There's good reason those birds greatly outsold vettes and SLs. And SLs were very slow and didn't last long, none left.

[@UberLummox]

@@michaelbenardo5695 Corvettes were 4cyl.??? Hmm. And Benz 4cyls. didn't last long? 1st time I've heard that one. Ever. I think your brand bias is showing.

[@radioguy1620]

What was especially brilliant for Ford was every Ford carried some of the styling themes. So every Ford buyer felt a bit of the magic I owned a 58 squarebird for a bit and a 96 lx V8. My father had a 68 or 69 with the 429 Thunderjet motor. a true torque monster and probably detroits best interior of the era.. I loved the 96's IRS suspension and 4.6. Duntov wrote a long letter to the GM brass saying if they didnt revamp the vette it would make GM look like they gave up so in effect the T Bird saved the vette.

[@hazcat640]

Never stopped smiling! I half expected you to start giggling like a school girl. 😂 Beautiful car.

[@douganderson771]

I owned a 1959 Thunderbird, it was a bit ratty but that 390 motor was great . Gas was cheap and it burned a lot of it , but I loved that car. Have always wanted a 57 , but they are way above my retired pay grade.

[@dcoop05]

The 3rd generation is probably my favorite. I used to see one while riding to my cousin's house for holiday dinners. It clearly hadnt moved in awhile. tried to google earth it a couple times.

[@motor_citymuscle288]

Great review! That look will live on forever!

[@E.T.GARAGE]

Thanks for sharing, the 57 T-Bird was a beautiful car, From a sales stand point Ford most likely sold more T-Birds than Chevy sold Corvettes

[@TheArkDoc]

This is correct. Even though Ford hasn't made a Thunderbird since 2005, Ford sold 4.2 million birds while in production. Through this year, Chevy has sold half as many Vettes. I know you were probably talking about the three years they were competitors... Back in 55-57, the Thunderbird outsold Corvette three or four to one--Ford even sold more high-performance E code and F Code Thunderbirds than Chevy sold fuelies. There is something to be said for Corvette remaining in production for 7 decades, and I love corvettes, but my heart has always been a Thunderbird heart.

[@UberLummox]

Of course it sold more. It's more sedate & conventional. I don't think that makes it better than an early Vette, just different. Would take either one!

[@danontherun5685]

@@TheArkDoc I think the ratio is 9 little birds to 1 vette.

[@danontherun5685]

@@UberLummox C1 ride like lumber trucks. Different engineering criteria indeed.

[@UberLummox]

@@danontherun5685 You don't see a lotta early 'Birds in vintage racing though.

[@jamesharber7820]

I converted my 312 c.i. ‘57 T-Bird to one with outstanding performance by installing a Ford 406 c.i. V8 and a Ford 4-speed standard transmission. It was a “sleeper”! That was in the mid ‘60s. Sold it when I got married in 1968. A two-fold mistake. :)

[@tedzehnder961]

I really like you video series.First off it`s not just a money thing for you and you just have a love for the automotive art of it as well. Older cars have a personality that`s missing in today`s average automobile.

[@motorTranz]

This was enjoyable to watch! Thanks Donald!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

A lovely car inside and out. Audrain's T-Bird is a fine reference copy.

[@wesalexander2693]

Great review of a wonderful classic T-Bird, Donald, your smile says it all! Thank you!

[@kfrerix9777]

@ 8:38 there is an upshift, I had to listen it to three times. That "snick" sound is just perfect. I didn't know about these cars. Thank you!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Even though the 58 - 60 Square birds have always been my favorite, even when they first hit the streets, the 55 - 57 Little birds are a close second.

[@bigsarge2085]

So cool.

[@JohnCBurzynski]

Two thumbs up!

[@herrunsinn774]

05:43 Love the "tom-cat in a creamery" smile Donald has on his face at this moment.

[@Vegaswill714]

One of my very favorite cars for all time. Thank you for posting this video, it was very enjoyable.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-xb4oj7vg3o]

Donald is always great

[@gitchermotrrunnin]

Ford built 15 Phase 1 D/F 1957 Thundewrbirds that were hand built for racing. 8 are known to exist.

[@UberLummox]

Never heard that designation. Is that the Paxtons?

[@gitchermotrrunnin]

@@UberLummox Not sure what supercharger the D/F T-birds used. The one I saw appeared to be similar to the F code unit.

[@UberLummox]

@@gitchermotrrunnin Yes, Ford used Paxtons.

[@mardyfisher693]

exellent!

[@dalewier9735]

My dad is a car collector and owned the 56' T-bird. It had power seat, power windows, "three" tops and automatic trans. Rose Red with white top and white (or red) interior. I drove it to take Tracy to my senior prom in 1978. It was not fun to drive. 292-4 barrel was a long slow walk to 70 mph. But, who would want to go 70. At that time, My regular car was a 70' mustang with 302-2 barrel convertible, red with white top and red interior. It had better power and much better handling.

[@mrwest5552]

boy that front is a real leaf catcher.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

The '57 T-bird is my favorite of the different versions with the '64 to '66 being my 2nd fave 'birds. The tri-five T-birds were the ultimate personal luxury cars until the Continental Mark II was introduced. The tri-five 'birds were certainly sporting cars but definitely not sports cars. Being seriously unbalanced, comparable to the Sunbeam Tiger, they could never outhandle a Corvette.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Stock, that is true, but the parts necessary to make it a sports car - faster steering, stiffer springs, etc. were available at Ford dealer parts counters.

[@UberLummox]

@@michaelbenardo5695 Well you can modify ANY car, so...

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@UberLummox I am talking about parts FROM THE DEALER. Aftermarket performance parts are something else again. And you can't turn a 4 door standard sedan into a sports car. You just can't.

[@johna1160]

If ever there was an American Gran Turismo, it would be the two-seater Baby Birds, at least the ones with a third pedal. Surprised Donald didn't use the GT descriptor when making the point that it is not a sports car. "57 is my favorite of the first three years for the reasons DO pointed out, plus I prefer the sharp fins. The '61 thru '63 Bullet Birds are gorgeous too, just not as cool as the Babies IMO. The rest of the T-Birds, especially the "58 thru '60 Squares are not me cuppa. I'm another Ford Guy who loves a slew of Chevies. Contrary to popular opinion, it is possible to identify with a particular marque and still appreciate the competition.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

The Thunderbird was indeed designed to be a sports car, but Ford equipped it as standard to be a nicer softer car than what most sports cars were about, and sold better as a result. If you truly wanted a Ford sports car, the parts needed to turn your Bird into a real sports car were available at your Ford dealer specifically for the Thunderbird. Remember, these cars were indeed raced and successfully. Unlike the first Corvettes, which were severely handicapped by their 2 speed Powerglide and no manual transmission.

[@UberLummox]

You never said if it was a 292 0r a 312. Dual carbs, so 312??? Love these! More cars shoulda been 2-seaters.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

If stock, 312, as the 292 was not available from the factory with dual quads.

[@lanebooker2476]

I wasn’t aware that the 57’s had more interior room. I sat in a 55, but it was just a little too small for me to drive safely. The steering wheel got in the way of operating the pedals. Maybe I could fit in a 57?

[@spacemissing]

Absolutely. I'm a Ford guy, with Mopar being a worthy second. GM managed only one model I can even consider owning: the 1955 Belair. Not '56 or '57.

[@loetzcollector466]

Ford vs Chevy my ass. I'm a Studebaker guy ever since my dad gave me my first car In 1986: a 1931 Steudebaker Dictator...& I dont Give a damn about what Mr. Lenno thinks about its name😛. My dad wanted me to have a car which i could learn stick that would not get me into any trouble & one I would always remember driving. It picked all of those boxes plus one. I still miss it to this day.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Im a GM guy. But I'd definitely take one. I would rather have a Buick from the era. But the Thunderbird is nice

[@chriscadman6379]

Howdy.

[@dalemettee1147]

David The lines on the '57 were beautiful. The '55 was great, the '56 was a real mistake. I never though that the continental tire set up on the rear messed up the balance of the car. The car was too tail heavy messed with the lines of this fine car.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

What messed up the 56 was the softer rear springs. It actually had a better front to rear weight bias. It is easy to put stiffer rear springs on a 56 and improve the handling.

[@Bill-xb2rh]

How about some stats, what is the north to 60?

[@DavidHaft1970]

I noticed three on the floor and not three on the tree.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

No little bird came with a column shift, whether stick or automatic.

[@UberLummox]

@DavidHaft1970 Was pretty unusual for '50s. In the '60s a few were like that, but sorta rare. After the '60, 3spds were less common.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@UberLummox It was, but the 50s American sports cars were not typical of regular passenger cars.

[@plymouthbill]

How come the '55 - '57 Thunderbirds aren't more valuable in the marketplace? I've seen some go for as little as $30,000.

[@Doug-mc3dd]

Good question. Better get one now, because if Trump gets back in the economy will improve, gas will go down and classic car prices will rise due to more expendable income. On the other hand new car prices will drop.

[@Kyfordman1989]

The only problem I have is Ford versus Chevy Ford is a car company. Chevrolet is division Ford is the company Chevy is a brand of a company Ford versus GM. That makes more sense.

[@UberLummox]

Not at all. Makes total sense. And it's Ford Motor Company, or FoMoCo vs GM. Ford vs Chev makes complete sense.

[@gsrider569]

Definately a beautiful car!! For me though, i've always seen this as a sports car for the ladies.

[@busterhymen6224]

As a car guy, I agree with everything you've said about the thunderbird. As a Chevy guy, I think the thunderbird should have been a Lincoln or Mercury. Maybe it's next iteration can be an electric car. We'll call it the Phoenix.

[@Navybyrde]

I like the idea, but I think that GM still owns the Phoenix name.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Did you know that the Lincoln division wanted the 58 square bird, and felt that the Thunderbird should have remained a 2 seater and a Ford?

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Did you know that the Lincoln division was pissed when the 58 square bird was given to Ford? They felt that it should have been their's

[@danontherun5685]

Factory power claims are not reality. Never mentioned is 57 bird 51/49 balance. With front disk brakes, good tires, rear sway bar and move seat back 2" very good durable road cars comparatively cheap.

[@WilberNStella]

Donald. You know the sbc is beyond perfection in performance & design. Zora beat any & ford effort.

[@johndavey72]

Just can't get enthused with this "T- bird " era l'm afraid Donald .

[@jamesonpace726]

ThunderChicken....