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Topic starter
10/04/2025 3:18 pm
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
10/04/2025 4:51 pm
All great (1957 for me please ) but I have a question:
How do you remove a fender on these? Bodywork is required, correct? 🤔 🤨 🤔
10/04/2025 5:28 pm
The 55 is an exact copy of the 1/1 Goldenrod Yellow one I had including the factory option wire wheel covers. My car had both tops and the very rare tonneau cover.
Topic starter
10/04/2025 8:52 pm
@chris, from the wiki,
"It's not accurate to say that the 1955 Ford Thunderbird had "no body seams." Like most cars of that era, it did have body seams where different panels of the car were joined together. However, those seams were often treated and finished in a way that aimed to create a smoother, more integrated appearance.
Here's a breakdown of what that means:
- Body Seams Exist:
- The 1955 Thunderbird, being a mass-produced automobile, was constructed from multiple stamped steel panels. These panels had to be joined together, resulting in seams.
- Areas where panels like the fenders, hood, doors, and quarter panels met would have seams.
- Seam Treatment:
- In the 1950s, it was common practice to use lead or body filler to smooth out these seams. This process helped to create a more seamless look, especially in prominent areas of the car's body.
- Therefore, while the seams were present, they were often less conspicuous than in some other vehicles.
- Considerations:
- Over time, and especially in unrestored or poorly restored vehicles, these seams can become more visible. Filler can crack, and rust can develop, highlighting the panel junctions.
- information from the vintage thunderbird club indicates that there are seams around the hood and windshield area that were filled with lead.
In essence, the 1955 Thunderbird had body seams, but they were often blended to create a smoother aesthetic."
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
10/04/2025 10:07 pm
"It's not accurate to say that the 1955 Ford Thunderbird had "no body seams."
Right, I know '55-'57 T-Birds have seams, separate panels, etc... but FoMoCo went to much trouble & expense of filling them in. Therefore, if one needs to remove a fender, just loosening nuts & bolts won't alone do the job - bodywork must be compromised then repaired.
I suppose FoMoCo did all this to give the illusion of a one-piece-body, ala Covette, but I truly don't know. It's something I never hear T-Birds guys discuss.
I'm aware that hiding body seams has been commonplace for decades, but I know of no other postwar domestic OEM that took time to hide fender seams - they blend into the rest of the body at every attachment point. 🤨 🤔
Jack Dodds and Tony Perrone reacted
11/04/2025 5:47 am
Gotta love "Baby Birds."
John Bono
North Jersey
Christopher Moroni and Tony Perrone reacted
11/04/2025 5:53 am
The best 1955 - 1957 Thunderbirds on planet Earth:
Check out cars for sale and especially, my favorite, the '57 Coral Sand "E Series":
https://amosminter.com/car-625/
11/04/2025 6:00 am
Tony, this guy has been selling Gen 1 Thunderbirds forever...the best of the best.The best 1955 - 1957 Thunderbirds on planet Earth:
Check out cars for sale and especially, my favorite, the '57 Coral Sand "E Series":
John Bono
North Jersey
11/04/2025 6:02 am
Man, you said it John! Been watching them sell on Barrett-Jackson auctions (as I'll bet you have too) and they always do exceptionally well and set records at times.Tony, this guy has been selling Gen 1 Thunderbirds forever...the best of the best.The best 1955 - 1957 Thunderbirds on planet Earth:
Check out cars for sale and especially, my favorite, the '57 Coral Sand "E Series":
11/04/2025 8:36 am
The bodies on these baby birds consist of ten different panels that were welded together and filled with lead. The ten panels are:
Front facia
Left front fender
Right front fender
Cowl
Left quarter
Right quarter
Left rear fender
Right rear fender
Decking just behind the passenger compartment
Rear facia below the deck lid
This list does not include the hood, doors and deck lid.
11/04/2025 10:05 am
I definitely agree with you about the beautiful color on this '57. As a young feller I disliked it but not now!
Speaking of the values of these Baby Birds Tony, do you know if the generational effect has hit this era yet? Referring to sales prices of this era being negatively affected by boomers slowly aging out of that particular market.
Christopher Moroni and Tony Perrone reacted
11/04/2025 10:13 am
Personally, I think so. As I watch Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Auctions, I perk up when there is a baby bird on the block. To my recollection the peak prices came about 15 to 12 years ago. They still hit high marks but not on as consistent a basis I believe.I definitely agree with you about the beautiful color on this '57. As a young feller I disliked it but not now!
Speaking of the values of these Baby Birds Tony, do you know if the generational effect has hit this era yet? Referring to sales prices of this era being negatively affected by boomers slowly aging out of that particular market.
Christopher Moroni reacted
11/04/2025 10:42 am
@perrone1 I see....interesting! The issue for guys of our generation who may be considering buying one of these beauties is waiting for the prices to dwindle as we....well....dwindle (age gracefully). Can't leave it TOO long.
Tony Perrone reacted
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