The Bird... is the word. 57 T-Bird

[Starliner Kustoms]

I always loved the body style of the 57 T-Birds and wanted to build an early street machine version of one. I built this using the AMT 57 Thunderbird kit. Paint is Tamiyas Yellow Pearl over Tamiyas white primer then coated with Testors Wet Coat. Mags and tires are parts box finds. New axles were made using weld wire to bring the wheels out to a correct position. The sneaker pipes are from AMT's 49 Ford. Taillights are from AMT's 56 Ford as are the traction bars. Windshield frame and headlight brows are from a vintage issue of the 57. 

Overall it was a fun build however, the windshield did not want to cooperate no matter what glass or frame I used. 

[Gustavo Reis]

Nice Bird.

[Deathgoblin]

Very nice job! 

[JollySipper]

Not much cooler than a Thunderbird! That's really sharp........

[Bills72sj]

Nice job! I like the tail light swap.

[ChrisR]

Very nice!!

[NOBLNG]

Nice work!? I like the yellow on it.?

[bobss396]

IMO, the most crucial part of the build is the glass. If that is off... so is the rest of the car. You have done the car some real justice.

[ncbuckeye67]

Good looking build. That Yellow really pops!

[MeatMan]

Well done!

[TooOld]

That looks cool , low and sleek . . . great job !

[TransAmMike]

Wow, that's one sharp looking '57. Nice pictures too?

[karbuildr]

Very well done Tbird. Looks great in yellow and the stance along with the wheels and tires really set it off nicely.

[bobss396]

I have an OG issue of this kit in the small box, with the tube of putty and the stick-on felt. I really should say, fork it and build it.

[Scott8950]

Great looking bird.

[Koellefornia Kid]

That Bird really looks nice! Great wheel/ire combo!

[XYHARRY]

Well done Bernie, you nailed the street machine look.

Cheers, 

David. ??

[Dave Darby]

Looking good! All of the Ertl reissues (1989-up) have newly tooled clear parts. Another larger issue with the newer (1979 Vega$ and up) reissues is the relocated bumper mounting tabs to accommodate the Continental kit bumper extension. It sits the bumper around 3/32" too low on the body. One workaround around is to shorten the mounting posts on the body, then put spacers between the bumper mounts and the chassis to keep the body height correct.

Unmodified below. Note gap.

Post 1979 bumper on left. Older bumper on the right.

Original issue bumper on car, current issue center, Craftsman version in foreground. You can see the fit is much better.

Current bumper with modifications to fit.

Your Bird is pretty cool. The mods are very tasteful. Stance is great. If that gap bothers you, the fix is easy.

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by Dave Darby

[slusher]

Beautiful Thunderbird !

[ewetwo]

Nicely done.