As I continue to go through old photos with a little bit of time here and there. I came across this photo set I took of the DM '57 Thunderbird. It was this set that I discovered the Thunderbird script was missing from the passenger side. I am not sure if I came loose and got lost or if it was ever there to begin with. Since it was new from DM, I reached out to them for a replacement, there wasn't any available. I have since acquired a distressed model that has a nice script available, I haven't repaired it yet.
Anyway, these are some older photos, taken in 2012. I think at the time I was working on different lighting and moods. This was back in the beginning when I was just getting started with my model photography. I do recall that after taking them, I wasn't really thrilled with how they came out, so I filed them away in a computer file until recently.
When I was much younger....or should I say less old.....I thought this color spoiled the sporty design of this car. Now I quite like it but I must say my favorite color on the '57 Bird is light blue.
Great photos (as always) John! You really capture the essence and beauty of this little Bird. Though I personally was never a fan of these "two-seaters", I have always wondered why Ford didn't keep them going through the decades, instead of changing the Thunderbird in to a big luxury vehicle in 1957 and going forward. When the "two-seaters" were introduced, I thought they were the perfect rival and competition to Chevy's Corvette, and being honest, I feel they could have continued to be so through the decades. My opinion of course.
it would have been interesting to see where the Thunderbird would be today if Ford had gone the same route as the Corvette. Having owned a few of the larger versions over the years, I would have missed them as they were great cars too. It's always fun to wonder "What could have been"
it would have been interesting to see where the Thunderbird would be today if Ford had gone the same route as the Corvette. Having owned a few of the larger versions over the years, I would have missed them as they were great cars too. It's always fun to wonder "What could have been"
Personally I too wish Ford had continued with the 2-seater BUT as we all know subsequent sales records showed that the 4-seater change was the right way to go.
Great photos (as always) John! You really capture the essence and beauty of this little Bird. Though I personally was never a fan of these "two-seaters", I have always wondered why Ford didn't keep them going through the decades, instead of changing the Thunderbird in to a big luxury vehicle in 1957 and going forward. When the "two-seaters" were introduced, I thought they were the perfect rival and competition to Chevy's Corvette, and being honest, I feel they could have continued to be so through the decades. My opinion of course.
Good point George. Maybe they could have produced both a 2 seater as a true sports car and a 4 seater as a personal vehicle.
When I was much younger....or should I say less old.....I thought this color spoiled the sporty design of this car. Now I quite like it but I must say my favorite color on the '57 Bird is light blue.
Fine images of this rose-colored Thunderbird, both top up and top down. Just tell people the "Thunderbird" script was only on the driver's side for a special run of cars that Ford did !
As one who has owned one of each year of the baby Birds and currently a 1961 Corvette, I can assure you they are very different kinds of cars with a similar look. The success of the Thunderbird was because it looked sporty while having a ride comparable to a sedan while the Corvette's was sporty by standards of the day. As Jack mentions, Ford's decision to make the Thunderbird a four passenger personal luxury car paid off big time. Selling cars is still the name of the game and Ford hit a home run with their decision.
it would have been interesting to see where the Thunderbird would be today if Ford had gone the same route as the Corvette. Having owned a few of the larger versions over the years, I would have missed them as they were great cars too. It's always fun to wonder "What could have been"
Let's keep in mind though that, those BIG Thunderbirds you owned could have still been a Ford, but with a different name badge on them. I'm just talking about keeping the Thunderbird a small two-seater for the duration, with each new model year attempting to compete with Chevy's Corvette. I think it could have worked. I've just always thought that Ford didn't give it a long enough chance to be a challenger to the Corvette.
Having owned a few of the larger versions over the years, I would have missed them as they were great cars too.
I agree with you John. I've owned a couple of "big Birds" over the years and was very happy with them. Here's my two, a modified '84 TurboCoupe and a '90 SuperCoupe. I ordered the '84 from the dealership in October 1983, and picked it up on a rainy Friday January 13th. It's hard to believe that was nearly 40 years ago!
As one who has owned one of each year of the baby Birds and currently a 1961 Corvette, I can assure you they are very different kinds of cars with a similar look. The success of the Thunderbird was because it looked sporty while having a ride comparable to a sedan while the Corvette's was sporty by standards of the day. As Jack mentions, Ford's decision to make the Thunderbird a four passenger personal luxury car paid off big time. Selling cars is still the name of the game and Ford hit a home run with their decision.
As far as I'm concerned the big four place Thunderbird was in a big hit until the 1963 that's when I thought it looked the very best the 58 through 60 they were beautiful birds too but when the bullet bird came out in 61 I thought it was rather blase it was the 63 that looked the best.
But then let's dive into the mid 60s the 64 was one of the best looking ones ever
John Great photos of a car I love. To me the 57 was the nicest of the 3 T-Birds (55-57). My Dad had a Black one that my younger brother now has since his death. Unfortunately he is not mechanically inclined and it just sits in his garage, like my Dad had done. I would say the car has not run in over 20 years. It is a shame that he got the car, but I was on the outs with my Dad just prior to his death and so that is where the car landed. Maybe one day before I die, my brother might give me the car to let me get it back running. One could only hope.
