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Although base prices edged upwards by $250, Ford managed to sell nearly as many T-Birds as in 1955, again clobbering its then V8-powered Corvette rival. With the variety of luxury equipment offered, it had become possible to shell out $4,000 for the T-Bird of your dreams.
With Ford readying a four-seat replacement, the '57 Thunderbird would be the last of its type. For its final year, the car underwent extensive renovations, including a new front grille and modest tail fins. The spare was moved back inside the trunk, but, instead of laying down, was positioned upright to yield more usable space.
The final first-generation T-Bird, starting-priced at $3,600, offered a wide assortment of power options. Aside from the base 212-horsepower 292, there was a 245-horsepower 312 motor that came with a four-barrel carburetor.
You could also choose one of two high-performance versions of the 312 that came with twin four-barrel carbs and a special cam. Power was rated at 270/285, depending on whether you picked the regular engine setup, or Ford's factory 'racing' version.
For all-out maximum thrills, there was the limited edition 'F' series Thunderbird that came equipped with a Paxton-McCulloch supercharger. This 300-horsepower version could hit 60 m.p.h. in less than seven seconds. The car's original soft-guy image had evolved into that of a hard-core performance machine.
Of the 21,380 Thunderbirds built in 1957, a mere 208 came with the supercharged engine, 13 of which were destined for NASCAR stock-car competition. The remainder went to buyers willing to shell out $500 for this option, a hefty sum at the time.
Sadly, production of the original two-seater 'Bird ended in December of 1957. Since then, the Thunderbird badge has been affixed to a wide assortment of body styles, along with an equally vast array of four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines.
But for the True Believers, the one and only Thunderbird remains the 1955-'57 series.
Ford obviously believed there were enough folks out there sufficiently steeped in the Thunderbird legend to be willing to purchase a modern-day simulation. Consequently, the car was resurrected for 2002, complete with retro styling (including many of the original colors), V8 power, rear-wheel drive and a plethora of modern-day luxury baubles.
Like the T-Bird of old, this newest interpretation of personal luxury wasn't cheap. And even though 2005 was its last year, the car was a testament to just how popular the 1955-'57 Thunderbird really was, and is to this day...
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