55-56-57 Frame

[Haz567]

Bring a Trailer recently had a 55 (I think) that was a bitza (bits of this, bits of that) car that had various mismatched parts from 55 thru 57 on it. One of the persons making comments noted that the frame was off a 57. The 57 is the only car I have had off the frame so I have a reasonably fresh memory of what its frame looks like; are there easily noticeable differences between the 55, 56 & 57 frames?

[55blacktie]

Sounds like Frankenstein has risen from the grave. If you're considering buying the car, you might want to look elsewhere. Does it have a salvage title?

[1957Birdman]

The 1957 frame is definitely different than the 1955-56 frame. The main difference is that it is longer in the back to account for the extra length of the body of the 57 compared to the 1955-56. It would have to be shortened to work on one of the earlier cars.
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White

[ward 57]

If I remember correctly, sometime in the early production of the 56's there was additional bracing in the frame to compensate for the additional weight of the spare hanging off the back causing the frame to flex.

[Haz567]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Jeff, had no interest in the car but since you asked about the title I went back and looked and it said Washington State Title in owners name.

I finally saw how a commenter had noticed the farme, and something I had forgotten. The commenter said it was a 56 frame on a 55 Bird. After I looked again I noticed the big 3/8" (maybe 1/2") strips down the main frame boxes and the X-Frame for strength as Ward pointed out. The car sold for $26K on 4/4/2024 and had something I have never seen before to go along with the assorted year parts. If you look at this car it has the Porthole rings inside out.

[ward 57]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Jeff, had no interest in the car but since you asked about the title I went back and looked and it said Washington State Title in owners name.

I finally saw how a commenter had noticed the farme, and something I had forgotten. The commenter said it was a 56 frame on a 55 Bird. After I looked again I noticed the big 3/8" (maybe 1/2") strips down the main frame boxes and the X-Frame for strength as Ward pointed out. The car sold for $26K on 4/4/2024 and had something I have never seen before to go along with the assorted year parts. If you look at this car it has the Porthole rings inside out.

I don't see how they could even fit that way. The outer rings are deeply beveled at the bottom and the retaining screws are on the inside. What were they thinking?

[Haz567]

I don't see how they could even fit that way. The outer rings are deeply beveled at the bottom and the retaining screws are on the inside. What were they thinking?

Ward, don't know on both counts.

[MarkR]

While in theory a 56 frame will accept a 55 body, the bigger, more important question is why? The data plate numbers will not match the frame stamped numbers.

There is no shortage of classic birds. I would not consider buying this car.

[1957Birdman]

Whoever bought the car had better have a title matching the serial number stamped on the frame. The bodies that came from Budd did not have serial numbers stamped on them. The data plates were added at the factory and the serial number on that plate should match the one on the frame. In that case I would have a new data plate made up with the correct information for the 1956 T-Bird. I would not buy a car like this either. I wonder how many people have cars that are registered based on the data plate serial number that does not match the serial number on the frame?
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White

[MarkR]

Whoever bought the car had better have a title matching the serial number stamped on the frame. The bodies that came from Budd did not have serial numbers stamped on them. The data plates were added at the factory and the serial number on that plate should match the one on the frame. In that case I would have a new data plate made up with the correct information for the 1956 T-Bird. I would not buy a car like this either. I wonder how many people have cars that are registered based on the data plate serial number that does not match the serial number on the frame?
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White

I’ve wondered the same thing over the years. Frames are more rugged with higher survival rate than the body sheet metal. Rust and accidents take their toll. 55-57 Frames from parted out relics are for sale quite often resulting in a frame and data plate with non-matching numbers.

I suppose there are cases where a car like this is well restored and offered at a reasonable price and the buyer may be aware of this situation. They are planning to keep it long term and enjoy it so not bothered by the mismatch.
I’m afraid in most of the deals it’s not mentioned.