![]() The supercharger option would carry a rating of 300 horsepower.'Īn initial production run of just one hundred vehicles was proposed by McNamara to satisfy NASCAR homologation requirements, and the Daytona Beach speed Trials of early February 1957 were selected for its competition debut. McNamara championed an internal engine development program 'deemed essential to the maintenance of the Ford car and Thunderbird performance reputation.' As Chevrolet was developing its fuel injection system, McNamara recommended, on behalf of the Ford Engineering Office, 'the installation on the 312 cubic-inch 4-valve carburetor engine of a new design McColluch supercharger for use on the Ford car and Thunderbird.which would provide operational characteristics equal to or better than any fuel injection system at present-day development. In a letter dated November 26, 1965, to the Ford Executive Committee, Ford Division General Manager Robert S. NASCAR relaxed its engine rules for 1957, allowing the use of enhanced induction systems including superchargers and fuel injection. Six engine options were offered, an additional leaf was added to the rear springs, 14-inch wheels, and larger front brakes were among numerous engineering changes. The interior received a new engine-turned dash, a safety-oriented 'Lifeguard Design,' a padded dashboard, a dished steering wheel, and updated upholstery treatments. ![]() ![]() This gave the 1957 Thunderbird a lower riding stance. With the additional 6.1-inch length, the Ford designer's returned the spare tire to the trunk, and it rode on 14-inch wheels. The 1957 Ford models were introduced on October 1st of 1956. Cars with this option are often known as 'E-Birds.' Braking was provided by power-assisted hydraulic four-wheel drums. They had a unique dual air cleaner, aluminum intake manifold, modified heads and cam, and heavy-duty Ford-O-Matic transmission. The E-Code had the 312 cubic-inch overhead valve V-8 engine with dual Holley four-barrel carburetors and delivered 275 horsepower. Of those, 997 (some sources state 1,499 examples) were high-performance E-code cars. The 1957 Ford Thunderbird was the most popular of all the Thunderbird two-seaters, with 21,350 examples built. It was built for cruising and personal transportation with no pretensions of being a sports car. The 1955 Thunderbird was a two-seater based on production sedan components. The 1957 Thunderbird was the final year for the original concept of Ford's Corvette competitor. ![]() For 1958, the Thunderbird was completely redesigned and built as a four-seater personal luxury car. For 1956, the Thunderbird received slight refinements and for 1957 it grew a fin. The Thunderbird had V-8 performance, elegance, and class. The Ford Thunderbird was introduced in 1955, and during its first year, a total of 16,155 examples were sold against the Corvette's 700. ![]() Both were initially built on passenger car underpinnings and were fairly expensive, but compared to the Corvette, the Thunderbird was endowed with luxury in sports car clothing. Both the Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette were built during the post-war economic boom of the 1950s, and initially, both had sporty-looking bodywork despite their lack of sports car-like characteristics. ![]()
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