1957 Thunderbird

1

1967 Camaro

Member
Considering a '57 Thunderbird purchase that seems to have everything we want except it has a manual transmission. The car will be my wife's "Hot Rod" and must be an easy driver. Anyway, I have a low cost opportunity to obtain a C4 transmission, flex plate, converter and driveshaft formerly used in a '65 Mustang. I know I will need the adapter kit but wondered where I can find the other parts needed. ie. shifter, pedals, linkage, etc. Am I being unrealistic in thinking I can keep this project cost to around $2000? I will perform all work myself. Thanks for any advice!
 
Find a car club close to you with owners of 50's / 60's era Fords and ask them about finding parts for your project. You might get lucky and find someone with a shed full.

Here's a link to find the '55/'57 Thunderbird - CTCI Chapters, hopefully one is near you.
https://www.ctci.org/chapters.php

Most '57 Thunderbird's had automatic transmissions so finding another one with an auto trans shouldn't be too hard. Unless you really want the car you found. Is there a big reason you don't want to use an oem automatic?

There's a 'Swap Meet' section of FordBarn and you can also look on ebay but some prices can be out of line with reality.

You'll likely need a transmission cooler or the radiator from a '56/'57 auto trans T-Bird.

.
 
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Many of the Tbirds suppliers carry used parts. Hills is one of them, also CASCO.

Here are people that deal in used parts.

Bob Schermerhorn NY 518-392-2472
Tony, Tony's Classics Iowa 515-263-3606
Adrian, PA, 570-709-0823

I have dealt with all three and never had any problems.

Most of the other parts you are looking for are not reproduced so you will have to go with used. Get some catalogs from the parts suppliers so you can find out what can be bought reproduction wise. I have found that for the most part, the TBird reproduction stuff is very good.

Unless the car you are looking at is very good for a very good price, go with a car that will please your SO - one with power steering, power brakes and automatic instead of trying to convert everything. Lots of TBirds on the market.
 
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The price is reasonable if the car is as represented. The only thing my wife insists on is the automatic transmission. The owner advertised the car for $35K but over the phone said he'd take $30K. I will see the car soon and make a determination. I believe he has had the car on the market for quite awhile and may take even less. I sold my 1955 Chevy 210 two door hardtop to make room and help finance the T Bird purchase. The '55 didn't have power anything and my wife drove it without issue. It did have automatic transmission however. Thanks!
 
Your wife may also want power steering and power brakes. Have her drive a couple with and without.

Charlie Stephens
 
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I have all of the necessary items for an automatic swapover.

I would be interested in trading for all of the standard shift hardware if interested.

I"m in Balto.Md.

Send me a private message if interested.

Oldmics
 
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Now that we own the car, she doesn't seem too concerned with the manual transmission. It is easy to drive unlike previous stick equipped vehicles we've owned before. So....now I can put the overdrive transmission in my Camaro!
 
Looks like a nice car. If your interested, you might look into a local Tbird club as they can be very helpful on questions on early TBirds if you are not that familiar with them.

Another organization I would recommend is CTCI ( Classic Thunderbird Club Int'l ). It's for early (55-57)Birds only. They have a nice web site (ctci.org) which has a very good tech section (Gil's Garage). CTCI has no restrictions on the Birds - stock or modified are welcome.

And if you want to go for a trip with it there is a regional convention in New Jersey this year (Aug). Go to njortc.org for info.
 
Ok, your going to have to learn about this Ford stuff. The Borg Warner T-85 showed up behind the 312's, often with the R-11 overdrive. If your bird is original, and a 312, that's what it probably has. Or did. Lots of stuff changed over the years, and every y block for sale is a 312 until you pull the pan and check the main caps and rods. (There's a dimple in the crank flange, but sometimes that's not reliable). IIRC, the T-85 was the base trans behind the 406's, with or without the o/d. They're widely sought after and in good shape, way more money than the earlier T-86 trans with or without the R-10 o/d.

Guys with more knowledge will fill you in about how to tell the difference. But if original all the clutch linkage, shift linkage, and related parts are worth a lot in the bird market.

There's a lot of info here at John Mummert's site on engine and head casting numbers. You can do some research as you get into it.

http://www.ford-y-block.com

Welcome to Fords, glad to see the dark side going behind you.
 
Wow! I've been researching some but didn't realize this about the transmission. I seem to remember reading that in 1957. only the 292 was available with the 3 speed manual. I have not gathered casting numbers yet but hope to soon. Just enjoying the car right now. I don't know what "dark side" you refer to. I like old cars no matter the brand. Thanks again.
 
Beginning under-the-hood FYI about the '55 / '57 T-Birds...

Some of the drivetrain parts are shared with the full sized Fords.
But due to the longer, lower, narrower engine compartment there is a good sized list of parts that are 'T-Bird only', and harder to find/more expensive.
Ignition and carburation hardware are 'each year specific' and not interchangeable.

Here's a shortcut/link to the Mummert Y-Block website that miker mentioned, you'll appreciate it when doing anything more than poking around under the hood.
http://www.ford-y-block.com/technical.htm

Photos below are '312 only' parts, and about the only way to easily confirm a 312.
.
 

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I guess I'm dating myself. Star Wars. The "dark side" on a ford site. As you know, I've got a 67 C in my garage too. No offense intended.
 
A look see at the data plate will reveal what "should" be correct items for the car.

A "C" at the beginning of the data plate information would indicate a 292 engine was originally installed.
Data plate will also tell color scheme and additional information.

Oldmics
 
There are two sides to the T-Bird story, people that own them think they are worth a lot of money, wrong, People buying them are few and far between.
I sold my '57 Bird, a very nice car with all the good stuff in October for $28,000. We had owned it since November 1972. The car went to Australia.
It took me two years to sell the car, started at $38K, had to keep lowering the price because most people that liked the small birds are "aging out", can't get into the car.
I would suggest that you look for the best car you can find, rather than trying to turn a less desirable car in to a "silk purse"
 

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