D7FH343159 - Thunderbird Registry Number 32392

32392
D7FH343159
1957
40 - E - XA - 29G - 3 - 1
Hello, my name is Flyer. I am a 1957 Ford Thunderbird. After being hatched in Detroit, I was sent to Felton Motor Co. in Houston, Texas. Though my early years are not so clear anymore... I was said to have been owned by the same owner from 1961 until 1995, though my records indicate being sold by Houston Continental Motors in Houston, Texas to Gene McCall in 1968. <p>
Sometime, someone had replaced my Fordomatic transmission with a manual with overdrive transmission. And sometime around or before 1995 I was repainted. I was originally Colonial White with a black and white interior, but am now Torch Red with a black interior. These were the colors I wore when I played a leading role in the TV movie "Frequent Flyer". Yes, if you saw the movie, you'll agree I was the best part of that movie! I had a white convertible top in those days, but in 1995, I was sold to Amos Minter, where my convertible top was exchanged for a red hard top. I also lost my original radio (which was no longer installed due to a modern replacement by my previous owner), my non original dual carb setup, as well as my original jack.<p> I was then sold to Rick Keller, a pilot who named me "Flyer". Rick enjoyed me for 10 years. He lavished me with presents including a new carbueretor and an electronic ignition upgrade. He took me with him to a New Hampshire, where I was recently bought by my present owner, Dale Stewart, who brought me to my new nest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dale always dreamed (literally) of having a 57 T-bird like me, as his dad had owned one, but sold it when Dale was just 5. Very traumatic! Dale had owned a couple replicas, but is now my proud owner. I am similar to the T-bird his dad owned, as that one was also originally white, then later red, and it's manual transmission had been replaced with an overdrive transmission. These similarities appealed to my new owner. Also, my 312 engine and 3.10:1 gearing from the Fordomatic days appealed to him, as I can get pretty good milage with plenty of power. So now I am getting lots of attention from my new owner who is delighted to drive me. <p>Perhaps one day he will totally restore me, but in the meantime we are having lots of fun! When his youngest son (3) saw me, he pointed to me and said "mine!" and he says that whenever he goes out to the garage and sees me, so I know the love of Thunderbirds at an early age runs in the family...I think I'll have a home hear for a long time!
Dale Stewart
6/3/2006
312 V-8 - 1/4V
Intact