In the early days, it was more of a side-gig and hobby, while his day job paid the bills. Luckily for bidders at Dana Mecum’s 32 nd Original Spring Classic this May, the Minters are set to offer a selection of some of the finest Thunderbirds they’ve touched, and amazingly, nine of them are the elusive F-Birds.Īmos Minter didn’t always plan to get into the restoration business. This F-Bird has a mere 57 miles on the clock since its restoration, and it looks much the same as it did when it was delivered to Talarico Ford of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, in July 1957 according to a copy of the original 1957 factory invoice.Įstablished in Dallas in 1969, Amos and Justin Minter’s Thunderbirds 55-57 restoration shop has unquestionably earned its reputation as one of the most skilled and respected specialty restoration outfits in the world, and when it comes to Thunderbirds built from 1955 through 1957, their shop sits right at the top. The original 1955-57 Thunderbirds are widely recognized as being among the most desirable and sought-after postwar Fords. Accessory back-up lights, Safety Package B, Town and Country radio, fender skirts, wide whitewall tires, a pristine white interior and a black canvas top further improve the overall attractiveness of this exceptional car. Behind this, a rare 3-speed racing transmission gives the driver complete control over everything this Thunderbird has to offer. Under the hood, the Y-block 312 CI V-8 is assisted by a Paxton-McCulloch supercharger to deliver a robust 300 HP. The beneficiary of a professional body-off restoration, this Thunderbird is one of five F-code Thunderbirds known to exist in this striking Dusk Rose paint scheme according to the F-Bird Registry. These changes are beautifully displayed on this rare Dusk Rose 1957 Thunderbird. The following year, a thorough restyling of the Thunderbird saw the adoption of a longer tail section and more prominent tailfins. The Thunderbird pioneered use of the Ford overhead-valve V-8 engine, which was updated with a 12-volt electrical system for 1956. It was the styling of the Thunderbird, which carried a unique American expression, that appealed to younger customers. The success of the Thunderbird was recognized immediately through tremendous sales right from start. This turned out to be a wise decision on Ford’s behalf, as it gave birth to an entirely new market segment known as the personal luxury car. The Thunderbird was marketed from the beginning as an upscale personal vehicle rather than a sports car. The Ford Thunderbird was initially designed as a response to the Chevrolet Corvette, but it almost immediately burnished its own place in history to become a recognized American icon. Delivered to Talarico Ford in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania July 22, 1957. ![]()
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