55-57 Tbird info

[46woodie]

Im considering buying a 55-57 tbird. Any suggestions on one year over another. Did they have rust issues so I can check these areas out. Like rocker panels,rear qtrs etc...
292ci pretty good engine vs 312. Not looking for high performance necessarily just reliability. Over heating,electrical etc...
Thank you

[deuce lover]

55's ,the most produced ,don't have the side fender vent so gets warm inside at the feet.The 54+ late V8 Forum might have more answers.

[Mart]

57s are 12V. Last of the 2 seaters. Porthole top was standard. 14" wheels on the 57s. They can rust in the normal places. Floors, rockers etc. Chassis frames are pretty robust. I have a 57. You can see it in some of my videos.

[19Fordy]

46woodie: Be sure to read this article about 55-57 T Birds. It answers many of your questions. personally, the 1956-57 models with the port holes in the removable top are are more desirable, I think.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-pr...-buyers-guide/

[46woodie]

Thanks for feedback!

[DavidG]

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Rust prone especially in rockers and lower cowl; frames not immune. Porthole hardtops practical, but ugly; hardtops without port holes for '57s difficult to find. The photo below is of a '57 I had for years that now has a happy home out west. I still have a rust-free red '55 in final assembly located in western PA; please send p.m. if interested.

[46woodie]

Yea,ragtops or top down more appealing to me

[swedishsteel]

56's all had the continental kit. We have a 55, which we like over the other two. One issue with the 292 and 312 is the rocker arm oiling system, prone to wear. Ours had lived all its life in California so I had only three very small rust spots that I had to cut out and patch. It was wonderful when all the bolts came out with ease, unlike most everything in Minnesota with all the rust.

[bobH]

Obviously opinion here... I like 55's best. I don't like 6V, and might consider 12V conversion. (Emphasis on 'might'.) I don't like continental spares. I don't like 57's, as I feel they are a little 'porky'. I agree with David, port holes are ugly. 312 rear main known for leaking.(Saw that in video. I don't know what's with that.)

[Mart]

I am amazed to find myself in at least one club with DavidG. The 57 Thunderbird factory non-porthole top club. Not port tops were a rarely selected option on 57s.
Re the top end oiling, I had that problem on my 57 312 and it was due to badly worn cam bearings. New cam bearings fixed the problem.

[paul2748]

56 and 57 were all 12 volt. TBirds have the usual rust problems, rockers, fenders and frames (in the back where the kick up is).. The 56 and 57 had splash guards behind the front wheels to cut down on rust issues.


56 and 57 had better ventilation. 56 and 57 engines came with the hi-ratio rocker arms. 57's had better distributors. The 56 was the best looking (yes, I'm biased because I own one).

[46woodie]

Went to Amos Minter site, impressive.

[Tinker]

There is a 54 up forum here too. Just if you want to check there too. Cool here too in my book. Hard to go wrong with a 55-57 bird.

I'm a sucker for the 58-59. It was an odd bird not traditionally the one. Like the 61 too.

[Tinker]

When you step into the yblock zone, there are things to consider. Heads ect... 57 has the best stock dizzy in my opinion. It gets detuned from there.


Lot of neat stuff...
http://www.ford-y-block.com/technical.htm

Tim...
http://yblockguy.com/

[Tinker]

The difference in the 292 and the 312 is usually just braggin rights.

[larrys40]

46 woodie,
I’m a model A guy and also have a 40 convert and 48 coupe . Sold my 40 standard coupe to buy a 56 Tbird . It has been a wonderful car which we have enjoyed immensely. I enjoy the ability to pretty much drive it anywhere as it is pretty much a modern car. As has been said I personally favor the 56 as it is a classy looking car and is 12volt. THe continental kit out back some like, others don’t but it keeps the trunk space “available”, where the 57 even tho spare is vertical sucks up trunk space. The 57 is a slightly better driving car but the 56 if all is well is a supurb driving car. In looking for one I test drove many and some of the worst ones were “restored” cars. I finally chose the one I have because it was a 69k Mile original car that had just been maintained with one ameture repaint. Although paint not as good as I would do. It’s very presentable. The rest of the car and way it drove was the best of 25 I had looked at.

The thing about the birds Is all the options which I think are important. Find one with as much power options especially steering, seat, and brakes if possible albeit pb is the least as they weren’t originally great anyway. Check for original paint code on data plate. I wanted a black and white car. They are beautiful graceful automobiles for sure. Not comfortable long distance but we do take trips in ours.
Two tops is nice as well, hard and convertible. And again look for options. Power seat is nice as if you are doing the convertible top you have to put the seat forward to get the top out and the power seat is nice to have for moving it .
Choose the car wisely based on color, options, body condition, your likeability , and how it drives and of course price. Lots of excellent repro Parts available for them as well. FYI I run American classic tires on it and they are the best of the tires I’ve ran . Drives superbly . Lots of these from low to high 20’s although giving a bit more for a great car is wise. I gave 22.5 for this one . Both tops and all the options except Pw. They are out there !
Larry

[Tinker]

really really nice bird larry.


The throw back opera windows (oval windows), throw some off design wise. I like it. Hard to take anything away from that 56. Really nice ride.


.

[corvette8n]

I had this Shay T-Bird replica 302 5-speed, if you ever heard of Shay model A’s it the same company. 10,000 model A’s made and about 200 T-Birds according to research. This car has a very small cockpit and my knees were in my face trying to drive it, I even removed the seat and tried moving it back but there was no room. It had a box type frame and a fiberglass body.
I also had a fight with my state in trying to register the vehicle, they insisted it was a kit car and wanted me to jump thru all kinds of hoops even though I had a title from another state and research documentation. I eventually sold it.

http://shayhistory.com/

[Gene1949]

My '56 bird pix taken in 1966. A coast car (rust bucket) that needed some love. Just got out of the service and started my Ironworker apprenticeship.
Drove the hell out of it until I broke the 312 and the slush-o-matic.

A friend had just crashed his Galaxy with a 406/405 hp and 4 speed. Hmm.

A set of homemade headers, front motor mounts and a couple of trips to the wreaking yard for springs, sway bars, police interceptor wheels and a meek little bird became what that car should have/could have been.
With the factory hubcaps it looked/stood exactly like a factory bird if you didn't look too close.

I would give almost anything to have that car back.

[Cleveland39]

This had been in the family since 1966. My dad paid $1100 for it.
I sold it in 2008 for $10000. Wish I had kept it.IM000084.JPG

[Old Redneck]

I have a 56 T-Bird and love it. It has no rust anywhere. I installed Air Conditioning to make it more enjoyable to drive in the summer.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

I have a 56 T-Bird and love it. It has no rust anywhere. I installed Air Conditioning to make it more enjoyable to drive in the summer.

Weren't you gonna give it to the grand babies? DD






.

[swedishsteel]

Your physical size matters--if you are a big man, you won't be happy, at least with a '55-don't know about the other two. Very little room between the seat and steering wheel. I'm 5'9 180 lbs. and I need to squeeze under the steering wheel. We installed new interior including seat foam--I could have shaved a couple inches of foam off the seat. I ended up removing the power seat frame and made brackets and mounted the seat directly to the floor to gain some room. Luckily, my wife and I need the same distance seat to accelerator. She drives it the most, and I follow along behind in the '36 5 window.

[Charlie Stephens]

Be sure to get one with the porthole top. I had one without portholes and nearly ran into a car hiding in the blind spot. I believe they were a no cost option, most people got the portholes. Check the prices carefully, they were a couple of years ago selling for a lot less than I expected.

Charlie Stephens

[paul2748]

To me, riding in my Tbird with the top down is the most enjoyable way to enjoy it. A/C is not my way of TBird enjoyment.

[larrys40]

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Originally Posted by Tinker

really really nice bird larry.


The throw back opera windows (oval windows), throw some off design wise. I like it. Hard to take anything away from that 56. Really nice ride.


.

Thanks tinker ! It is driven for sure. As a common guy I feel blessed to have been able to enjoy this cool slice of life.
All the best!
Larry

[soonersace]

I have had a 55 for about 10 years

I love driving it. It’s like a go-cart super fun. As mentioned before if you are big it’s hard to get in and out. I’m 6’2” and I fold up a bit to get myself in and out.

It’s definitely a crowd pleaser. I love the color.

I put on diamond radials and disc brakes it was already switched to 12v when I got it.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[46woodie]

Thanks everyone!! Lots of good info and leads. Looking forward to owning one

[v8fordman]

I have a ‘56 project for sale. It has a non porthole top but I bought a reproduction porthole kit so I would have the option. I have the original engine or a 302 Ford with adapters. Many, many new parts with it. This is the third ‘56 Bird I have owned and I love them. Double hip replacement and being 6’2” makes the small birds no longer an option for me. If you or anyone is interested, email me for more details. [email protected]

[46woodie]

Thank you,prob buy a little closer to home here in midwest. Nice of you to offer

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by Gene1949

My '56 bird pix taken in 1966. A coast car (rust bucket) that needed some love. Just got out of the service and started my Ironworker apprenticeship.
Drove the hell out of it until I broke the 312 and the slush-o-matic.

A friend had just crashed his Galaxy with a 406/405 hp and 4 speed. Hmm.

A set of homemade headers, front motor mounts and a couple of trips to the wreaking yard for springs, sway bars, police interceptor wheels and a meek little bird became what that car should have/could have been.
With the factory hubcaps it looked/stood exactly like a factory bird if you didn't look too close.

I would give almost anything to have that car back.

Gene, you made my day with this one....

[Gene1949]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Gene, you made my day with this one....

Wow Orcas Island, talk about paradise.
The ferry would stop there when my wife and I would spend the weekend in Sidney in the early '90s. At the time I was raising iron on the Boeing 777 project at Evert.

I built my bird in Mossyrock, WA when I was working on the dam. After the dam I drove that bird to Seattle and spent a couple of weeks on a story job. Life was kinda hazy back then, not too sure where in Seattle it was.

[blucar]

Originally Posted by bobH

Obviously opinion here... I like 55's best. I don't like 6V, and might consider 12V conversion. (Emphasis on 'might'.) I don't like continental spares. I don't like 57's, as I feel they are a little 'porky'. I agree with David, port holes are ugly. 312 rear main known for leaking.(Saw that in video. I don't know what's with that.)

Reading your comments about your likes and don't likes, it would appear that I have the perfect car for you.
I have a one owner '56 Bird that was bought as a 21st birthday present in 1956 for my late wives best friend.
In the late '60's the car was getting tired so the current husband of the own had the car modernized.
The spare tire carrier was removed, the bumper was filed to remove the exhaust openings in the corners. Fortunately the top did not have the portholes. A high performance '68 302 w/ C-4 trans was installed.
In the early '80's the car was in pretty sad shape, the owner, Patti, asked me to help her with the car, her husband had passed away so I agreed to take the project on to get the car back in shape.
Over a period of several years I did a complete makeover of the car, freshened the engine up, had the car repainted back to red and had the interior redone with stock type upholstery from NPD.

I have all of the original paperwork on the car, the title still has the original owners name (with mine) on it.
The car is for sale!

[Charlie ny]

Wish I had photos.....nice '55 Arizona Bird, 368 Mercury Marauder power. Not a drop in but no rocket science either. 100 mpt ( miles per trans ) A Warner t 85 OD trans from
a wrecked 406 Galaxie fixed that. Not well known....like the '32 the motor had to be removed to change the trans...On hard acceleration the torque caused the hood to

'unalign' with the fenders. Horseshoe up my a__, I've made it to 80.
Charlie ny