Lot details

Year: 1957
Make: Ford
Model: Thunderbird
Registration: 422 UXU
Chassis No: D7FH394684
Engine No: n/a
Mileage: tbc
•: Fully restored in 2006 by Cobbler's Shop in Apache Junction
•: Recently recommissioned

The Ford Thunderbird ('T-Bird') began life in February 1953 in direct response to Chevrolet's new sports car, the Corvette, which was publicly unveiled in prototype form just a month before. Under rapid development, the Thunderbird went from drawing board to prototype in about a year, being unveiled to the public at the Detroit Auto Show on 20th February 1954. It was manufactured by Ford in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through to 2005. The second to fourth generation Thunderbird convertibles were similar in design to the Lincoln convertible of the time and borrowed from earlier Ford hardtop/convertible designs. While these Thunderbird models had a true convertible soft top, the top was lowered to stow in the boot area, considerably reducing available boot space when the top was down. The overall appearance was a sleek look with no trace of a convertible top at all.

This lovely and rare example is presented in black coachwork was originally owned and driven by a lady in Las Vegas, purchasing the car in Cleveland, Ohio in 1957, she retained the car until her passing in 1999. In 2000 the car passed to her daughter in Phoenix where it was stored until 2003 with 65,000 miles declared as original.

The new owner then in 2004-2006 treated the car to a body off restoration by Cobbler's Shop in Apache Junction, AZ. We are informed every nut and bolt were new, old stock restored or replaced with the engine and a-matic transmission fully overhauled. A few additions were made, a mustang A/C heating system was installed, electronic ignition, new front disc brakes and new glass. Even the iconic port hole hardtop was completely restored. Appraised at the time as a 99+ point car, it was valued in excess of $75,000 before being purchased by our vendors husband who imported the car to the UK in 2007.

A car rightfully cherished and known on the American car scene, it was as restored to a 99 point car for some time but upon the vendor's husband falling ill the car had to be put into storage where it remained for a number of years until of late. Since his passing his wife has decided the time has come to part with 422 UXU and thus had it recommissioned, fully valeted and detailed in an effort to recapture some of its stunning condition. Naturally this is not quite the 99 point car it was over a decade ago but it is still achingly gorgeous, a very desirable '57 car that would grace any American car show and turn heads wherever it goes.

Supplied with the UK V5, believed to be a four owner car with written history in the file, MoT from when imported, now exempt of course, parts catalogue, Thunderbird handbook, CD's of the car and professional photoshoots from the late 2000's. Black on black, five-litre V8 drop top '57 Thunderbird…. A VERY desirable car indeed. Consigned by Mathew Priddy