One of the taglines that Ford used to market its personal luxury car in the late 1950s was “Mark of Tomorrow.” Nearly 70 years later, did the car live up to its forward-looking promise? We’ll let you decide. For your consideration on AutoHunter is a 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible listed for sale by a dealer in North Andover, Massachusetts.
A magazine advertisement said, “The ’57 Thunderbird bows in with new garb, new sizzle, new glued-down roadability. Inside, there’s spacious, stateroom luxury. New color choices range from subtle to vibrant – to match every taste. There’s pure magic in the styling – and the Mark of Tomorrow in the appeal. Here’s a car that’s equally at home in race track sprinting or country lane loafing… a personal car to make any owner proud.” Another newspaper feature said, “This is where tomorrow starts.”
What made the Thunderbird so futuristic for its time? In a brochure, Ford talked about the car’s personalized styling, first and foremost. The pamphlet called the car’s taillights a “Jet Tube” variety, and it noted that the 1957 Thunderbird was a half-inch lower and 5.5 inches longer than the 1956 version. “Appearance is more rakish and agile than ever,” Ford said. The exterior of this handsome T-bird is finished in Flame Red (paint code V), and its features include a hood scoop, driver-side mirror, wheel skirts, and steel wheels wrapped in wide-whitewall tires.
Model year 1957 would mark the last of the two-seat Thunderbirds, as the car would go through some design and engineering changes for 1958 to incorporate a back seat. This car’s bench is finished in Pleated Colonial White (trim code XK) vinyl upholstery. Features include a power-adjustable bench seat, power windows, power steering, and aftermarket AM/FM radio.
Under the hood, we find a rebuilt 312ci “Thunderbird Special” V-8 with a four-barrel carburetor; Ford rated it at 245 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Mechanical features include a 9.7:1 compression ratio, 3.8-inch by 3.44-inch bore and stroke, and rebuilt Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission. The car’s odometer shows 2,182 miles, but the true mileage is unknown.
For a little added visual enjoyment, the selling dealer has provided the video below that shows how attractive — and futuristic for its time — the car looks from all angles. Maybe it’s the car of your tomorrow? Place your highest bid, and it just might roll into your future.
The auction for this 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible ends on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
