Search found 397 matches

by 1957Birdman
Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 1955 smaller steering wheel, reduced steering column length
Replies: 12
Views: 133

Re: 1955 smaller steering wheel, reduced steering column length

According to the owners handbook there is 3” of movement fore and aft for the steering wheel. If your legs are the issue you should pull the steering wheel closer to you. I have long legs and that is what I do when I drive my 57. If you do that and lower the seat all the way you should have enough s...
by 1957Birdman
Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:35 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 56 Hard Top
Replies: 37
Views: 3054

Re: 56 Hard Top

I am posting the following article I wrote for our local club newsletter: It is common knowledge that there were some trim deviations on T-Birds built after October 1, 1957 through the end of production on December 13, 1957. For reference see pages 230-231 of the Thunderbird Restorations Details and...
by 1957Birdman
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:06 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 56 Hard Top
Replies: 37
Views: 3054

Re: 56 Hard Top

My car was built on June 26, 1957. I have a friend who sold his Azure Blue 1957. The data plate showed LL6XL. That breaks down as follows: LL - Azure Blue Color, both body and top 6 - Late production designation as a porthole top car(7 for a non-porthole top) XL - Two tone blue interior His car was ...
by 1957Birdman
Fri Mar 15, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 56 Hard Top
Replies: 37
Views: 3054

Re: 56 Hard Top

The data plate does give pertinent information regarding to top. On my 1957 the data plate shows EE meaning it is Colonial White with a Colonial White hardtop. On my first 1957 it showed a single E, meaning it was a soft top only car. It the car had both a hard and soft top the only way to tell woul...
by 1957Birdman
Fri Mar 01, 2024 11:56 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 57 lower quarter body line?
Replies: 12
Views: 409

Re: 57 lower quarter body line?

Some of the best patch panels for early T-Birds were produced by Custom Autocrafters. The company was a father and son operation. When the son died the father chose to sell the jigs used to make the panels and close the business. The buyer was CASCO. I would think that CASCO has the same quality pan...
by 1957Birdman
Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:43 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Replacement VIN Tag
Replies: 25
Views: 726

Re: Replacement VIN Tag

Just for the record, the 55-57 T-Birds did not have VIN tag or VIN number. The tag on the firewall is called either a data plate or patent plate, which has the car's serial number. That number is stamped on the frame in 3 places. VIN numbers were required by law starting in 1981. Lew Bachman 1957 Th...
by 1957Birdman
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:44 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Colonial White with Peacock hard top
Replies: 14
Views: 398

Re: Imperial White with Peacock hard top

A number of years ago at Hershey I saw a 56 that had a Colonial White body with a Fiesta Red top and red and white interior. If I remember correctly the other hardtop colors that would match the corresponding interior would be Raven Black, Thunderbird Green, and Buckskin Tan. Lew Bachman 1957 Coloni...
by 1957Birdman
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:11 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Replacing hard brake line
Replies: 15
Views: 601

Re: Replacing hard brake line

When I replaced my brake lines I unscrewed at least one of the body bolts (the more I think about it I probably removed two or three) and removed the shims between the frame and body. After that I was able to get the brake line over the axle. Just be sure to then put the shims back the way that you ...
by 1957Birdman
Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:38 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: What exactly sets them apart?
Replies: 11
Views: 463

Re: What exactly sets them apart?

For me personally, I have been a member of CTCI since 1995 and also a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Based on my experience I would definitely recommend CTCI as the first port-of-call for the new early T-Bird owner. It is the oldest club (established 1962) and has many reso...
by 1957Birdman
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Multiple Questions about oiling issues and oil viscosity.
Replies: 14
Views: 594

Re: Multiple Questions about oiling issues and oil viscosity.

When you remove the rocker covers then run the engine at idle. You should see oil coming out the ends and oil on the valve train. If it all looks dry then you have got a problem. The Y-Block engines had an overhead oiling problem because of the ash content in the oils available in the 1950s and 1960...
by 1957Birdman
Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:35 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: 57 Thunderbird - Throttle doesn't move with pedal
Replies: 13
Views: 654

Re: 57 Thunderbird - Throttle doesn't move with pedal

I ran a 4160 on my car for many years with no problem. There should be no reason to fabricate a different connect throttle connecting rod to make it work. The bell crank bracket does not connect to the manifold as it does on my car. The primary throttle shaft assembly does not look like the original...
by 1957Birdman
Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:27 am
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: '57 air cleaner decal
Replies: 13
Views: 682

Re: '57 air cleaner decal

The decal is placed on the lid of the air cleaner. It is supposed to face the batter side.
Picture attached of correct installation.
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White
IMG_0681.jpeg
by 1957Birdman
Tue Jan 09, 2024 5:56 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: Azule Blue 57 or Raven Black 55?
Replies: 19
Views: 948

Re: Azule Blue 57 or Raven Black 55?

There were two blue colors for 1957, originally Starmist Blue and then Azure Blue for cars produced after September 1957. I personally like the styling of the 1955 the best, but have a 1957 and am pleased that I got it. The 57 has a few advantages including extra air vents (the interior can get quit...
by 1957Birdman
Sun Jan 07, 2024 10:20 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: P5FH100004
Replies: 22
Views: 3493

Re: P5FH100004

I got a chance to read the Popular Science article on Google Books. It was a good test. The car tested was a pre-production prototype that obviously was constructed by Ford Engineering and not on the assembly line. As such it has no direct relationship to the manufacture of P5FH100004. One point of ...
by 1957Birdman
Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:35 pm
Forum: 1955-1957 Thunderbirds
Topic: P5FH100004
Replies: 22
Views: 3493

Re: P5FH100004

I do have a copy of the Automobile Quarterly from 1970 (thanks to EBay) along with other period magazines such as the Sports Illustrated article, Mechanix Illustrated from January 1955, and Motor Life from January 1955. My purpose in writing my article is to collect information and take a fresh look...