1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

1957 Ford Thunderbird

Some major styling changes took place on the 1957 Ford Thunderbird from previous years. Inside, the instrument panel was redesigned with clustered dials plus new designs to the all-vinyl upholstery and trim combinations. Outside the spare tire went back into the trunk, which didn't occupy too much room in the 5 feet by 5-1/2 feet space. The standard top for the '57 Thunderbird, made of glass-fiber, was removable and had stylish port windows (also available without port windows). A manually operated soft top was also an option but at an extra cost. Tops were available in black, blue, tan or white and comfort-sealed against the weather. The rear boasted rear fins which were growing in populartity by automakers. The Thunderbird's optional engine choice for 1957 contained 312 cu. in with 285 hp while the standard engine has 212 hp. Also available was 3 choices of transmission including a new 3-speed manual.

1957 Ford Thunderbird Production and Specifications

Model Number Body/Style Number Body Type & Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Total Production
Thunderbird
C7/D7/E7 40 2 dr Convertible - 2P $3,408 3,134 lbs 21,380

Chassis Data

Model Wheelbase Overall Length Overall Height Front Tread Rear Tread Tires
Thunderbird 102 in 181.4 in 51.6 in 56 in 56 in 7.50 x 14 four-ply tubeless

Vin Number Decoding - 1957 Ford Thunderbird

Location: Installed on the dash panel in the engine compartment.
 
First Symbol - Engine
D= V8 OHV 312 cu. in. F = V8 OHV 312 cu. in. Supercharged
Second Symbol - Model Year
7 = 1957 6 = 1956
Third - Assembly Plant
A = Atlanta, GA. M = Memphis, TN.
C = Chester, PA. N = Norfolk, VA.
D = Dallas, TX. P = Twin Cities, WI.
E = Mahwah, NJ. R = San Jose, CA.
F = Dearborn, MI. S = Pilot Plant
G = Chicago, IL. T = Metuchen, NJ.
H = Lorain, OH. U = Louisville, KY.
J = Los Angeles, CA. W = Wayne, MI.
K = Kansas City, MO. Y = Wixom, MI.
L = Long Beach, CA. Z = St. Louis, MO.
Fourth Symbol - Body Style
H = Thunderbird
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Starting at 100001
 
Body Type Code
40 = Thunderbird
Body Color Code
A = Raven Black N = Gunmetal Gray / Seaspray Green
E = Colonial White Q = Thundrbird Bronze
F = Starmist Blue R = Torch Red
G = Sun Gold V = Flame Red
H = Gunmetal Gray X = Dusk Rose
J = Willow Green Y = Inca Gold
L = Azure Blue Z = Coral Sand
Trim Code
XA = Raven Black & Colonial White Vinyl XK = Colonial White Vinyl
XH = Flame Red Vinyl XL = Dresden (med. Blue) & Starmist (lt. Blue) vinyl
XJ = Bronze (Copper) Vinyl XM = Cumberland (med. green) & Willow (lt. green) vinyl
Date Code (example - 17 K - 17 = day of month; K = month
A or N = January G or U = July
B or P = February H or V = August
C or Q = March J or W = September
D or R = April K or X = October
E or S = May L or Y = November
F or T = June M or Z = December
Transmission Codes
Code Transmission Type
1 3-Speed Manual Shift
2 Overdrive
3 Fordomatic 2-speed
Rear Axle Code
Code Ratio
0 4.11
1 3.10
2 3.56
3 3.70
4 3.89
5 2.91
6 2.69
 
     
   
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