Vintage Thunderbird Club International

They are not the same. The 55 Thunderbird was a 1 year, 1 model steering wheel and horn ring. The Thunderbird spokes are not directly across from each other like other Fords of that year. Look closely at the pictures. C2765332-C54C-4E3A-B1B3-3D83C50BDB1E.png 7BFFF266-494D-4C40-B3F8-7F1F2C4D33A3.png

No notch in the jack stalk but it never comes loose.
The brake cover should have a small clip that snaps over the brake tube. This is the best picture I have.

In a 55, there is a rubber strap that holds it. Should be the same for 57. The other plastic cap is for the emergency brake, it covers the pulley on the driver side floorboard. 6AB9A35A-10AD-4B24-A73E-D35AAC160564.jpeg 185FFDF1-197B-4889-A778-4D456E962AB5.jpeg 464B7960-2657-4431-9201-D10EDFB1568D.jp...

Even though everything should be SAE, I’ve found that sometimes I need a metric to snuggly fit old worn fasteners as well as new replacement parts. As Alan said, get both sets.

Not as it came from the factory. Remove and dispose them.

I don’t have any problems with the location. I also have a switch next to the light for my electric fuel pump. Neither of them even come close to my legs.

Check the fender skirts. Mine does it in right turns and it only happens when I have the radial tires on.

When I installed my 1 piece cover, which was not punched either, I used an awl to find the holes from the engine compartment side. I then was able to get hole enlarged in the cover from the dash side. To get the metal clips in place I couldn’t get a good swing with a hammer and ruined 3 before I end...

A properly adjusted parking brake will start dragging the brakes at 2-3 clicks and you would likely not notice it’s even out that far.

I have one installed on my 55. I didn’t want to drill the dash so I found a period correct under dash mount. There is a plunger switch that mounts near the pin on the park brake handle and a flasher unit that gets tucked away under the dash. The light flashes when the park brake is pulled and the ig...

Made some for my 55. Headlights from a 1950 Ford 8N tractor. I just used a push/pull switch that mounts under dash.

I still run 4 wheel drum brakes on my 55. When adjusted and maintained correctly they work just fine. I wouldn’t spend the time or money on a disc brake conversion but many others would disagree. If I were to do one upgrade it would be to add a dual reservoir master cylinder instead of the original ...

To this day there is no other steering wheel available for the 55 that looks original. I have a few friends that have smaller wheels but they’re either chain style or the small soft black ones with an aluminum center. Neither are anywhere close to looking stock. The 55 wheel is a one year and one ve...

Chrome wire spoke rims AKA Kelsey Hayes weren’t even made until model year 1962. There were wire spoke wheel covers available for 55 and 56 in the 15” style but not sure about being available for the 14” wheels in 57.

Yes, just forward of the shift lever on the passenger side of the hump.