55-57 Tbird info

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46woodie

Senior Member
Im considering buying a 55-57 tbird. Any suggestions on one year over another. Did they have rust issues so I can check these areas out. Like rocker panels,rear qtrs etc...
292ci pretty good engine vs 312. Not looking for high performance necessarily just reliability. Over heating,electrical etc...
Thank you
 
55's ,the most produced ,don't have the side fender vent so gets warm inside at the feet.The 54+ late V8 Forum might have more answers.
 
57s are 12V. Last of the 2 seaters. Porthole top was standard. 14" wheels on the 57s. They can rust in the normal places. Floors, rockers etc. Chassis frames are pretty robust. I have a 57. You can see it in some of my videos.
 
Rust prone especially in rockers and lower cowl; frames not immune. Porthole hardtops practical, but ugly; hardtops without port holes for '57s difficult to find. The photo below is of a '57 I had for years that now has a happy home out west. I still have a rust-free red '55 in final assembly located in western PA; please send p.m. if interested.
 

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56's all had the continental kit. We have a 55, which we like over the other two. One issue with the 292 and 312 is the rocker arm oiling system, prone to wear. Ours had lived all its life in California so I had only three very small rust spots that I had to cut out and patch. It was wonderful when all the bolts came out with ease, unlike most everything in Minnesota with all the rust.
 
Obviously opinion here... I like 55's best. I don't like 6V, and might consider 12V conversion. (Emphasis on 'might'.) I don't like continental spares. I don't like 57's, as I feel they are a little 'porky'. I agree with David, port holes are ugly. 312 rear main known for leaking.(Saw that in video. I don't know what's with that.)
 
I am amazed to find myself in at least one club with DavidG. The 57 Thunderbird factory non-porthole top club. Not port tops were a rarely selected option on 57s.
Re the top end oiling, I had that problem on my 57 312 and it was due to badly worn cam bearings. New cam bearings fixed the problem.
 
56 and 57 were all 12 volt. TBirds have the usual rust problems, rockers, fenders and frames (in the back where the kick up is).. The 56 and 57 had splash guards behind the front wheels to cut down on rust issues.


56 and 57 had better ventilation. 56 and 57 engines came with the hi-ratio rocker arms. 57's had better distributors. The 56 was the best looking (yes, I'm biased because I own one).
 
There is a 54 up forum here too. Just if you want to check there too. Cool here too in my book. Hard to go wrong with a 55-57 bird.

I'm a sucker for the 58-59. It was an odd bird not traditionally the one. Like the 61 too.
 

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46 woodie,
I’m a model A guy and also have a 40 convert and 48 coupe . Sold my 40 standard coupe to buy a 56 Tbird . It has been a wonderful car which we have enjoyed immensely. I enjoy the ability to pretty much drive it anywhere as it is pretty much a modern car. As has been said I personally favor the 56 as it is a classy looking car and is 12volt. THe continental kit out back some like, others don’t but it keeps the trunk space “available”, where the 57 even tho spare is vertical sucks up trunk space. The 57 is a slightly better driving car but the 56 if all is well is a supurb driving car. In looking for one I test drove many and some of the worst ones were “restored” cars. I finally chose the one I have because it was a 69k Mile original car that had just been maintained with one ameture repaint. Although paint not as good as I would do. It’s very presentable. The rest of the car and way it drove was the best of 25 I had looked at.

The thing about the birds Is all the options which I think are important. Find one with as much power options especially steering, seat, and brakes if possible albeit pb is the least as they weren’t originally great anyway. Check for original paint code on data plate. I wanted a black and white car. They are beautiful graceful automobiles for sure. Not comfortable long distance but we do take trips in ours.
Two tops is nice as well, hard and convertible. And again look for options. Power seat is nice as if you are doing the convertible top you have to put the seat forward to get the top out and the power seat is nice to have for moving it .
Choose the car wisely based on color, options, body condition, your likeability , and how it drives and of course price. Lots of excellent repro Parts available for them as well. FYI I run American classic tires on it and they are the best of the tires I’ve ran . Drives superbly . Lots of these from low to high 20’s although giving a bit more for a great car is wise. I gave 22.5 for this one . Both tops and all the options except Pw. They are out there !
Larry
 

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really really nice bird larry.


The throw back opera windows (oval windows), throw some off design wise. I like it. Hard to take anything away from that 56. Really nice ride.


.
 
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I had this Shay T-Bird replica 302 5-speed, if you ever heard of Shay model A’s it the same company. 10,000 model A’s made and about 200 T-Birds according to research. This car has a very small cockpit and my knees were in my face trying to drive it, I even removed the seat and tried moving it back but there was no room. It had a box type frame and a fiberglass body.
I also had a fight with my state in trying to register the vehicle, they insisted it was a kit car and wanted me to jump thru all kinds of hoops even though I had a title from another state and research documentation. I eventually sold it.

http://shayhistory.com/
 
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My '56 bird pix taken in 1966. A coast car (rust bucket) that needed some love. Just got out of the service and started my Ironworker apprenticeship.
Drove the hell out of it until I broke the 312 and the slush-o-matic.

A friend had just crashed his Galaxy with a 406/405 hp and 4 speed. Hmm.

A set of homemade headers, front motor mounts and a couple of trips to the wreaking yard for springs, sway bars, police interceptor wheels and a meek little bird became what that car should have/could have been.
With the factory hubcaps it looked/stood exactly like a factory bird if you didn't look too close.

I would give almost anything to have that car back.
 

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