1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom

Description for Ford Thunderbird 1957

1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Roadster
Slated for a future episode of Discovery’s Fast N’ Loud
One-off custom show car, influenced by Barris, Roth custom cars
This car has won every major show entered in the Radical Custom class including The Oakland Roadster Show, Sacramento Roadster Show and Lead Sled East
Finished in 14k gold paint
Pinstriped by Tanner Leaser of Gas Monkey Garage
High-performance 351 CID Ford V-8 engine
Ford C4 three-speed automatic transmiss...ion
Gold metallic exterior with all hand-formed steel with body modifications
Diamond-pleated white Naugahyde vinyl interior
Same Naugahyde used on wheel wells, engine bay and hood pad
Custom highlights include 1959 Lincoln taillights, 1959 Buick taillights, 1960s Plymouth Aero steering wheel, a custom gearshift lever and a 1961 Chrysler glass dome gauge cluster
Interior features finished in 14-karat gold paint and has a retro rotary telephone
Trunk features a small, 1950s Admiral TV, oil, gas and water cans, a period correct first-aid kit and a full-size spare tire
MotoeXotica Classic Cars proudly presents this one-of-a-kind, award-winning custom show car in this 1957 Ford Thunderbird custom roadster, nicknamed “Roxanne.” This is one far-out car that portrays the futuristic fantasy vibes of the late 1950s. It is all-steel construction with all components welded in and skim-coated smooth – an amazing feat! This car is said to be built by Tom Culbertson, a well known Hot Rod builder from Indiana. Tom created the car with hand formed steel in same vein as cars built by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and George Barris and it’s won some prestigious car shows such as The Oakland Roadster Show, Sacramento Roadster Show and Lead Sled East.
We purchased this wild custom t-bird from our buddy Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage. The whole transaction of the sale was recorded for a future episode of Fast N’ Loud!
Under the hood, this show car features a high-performance 351 CID Ford V-8 engine mated with a Ford C4 three-speed automatic transmission, both rebuilt before installation. Even as a show car, Roxanne runs fantastically. Known issues are the horn and speedometer, which are currently inoperable. This engine sits in a show-prepared engine bay, there is a custom air cleaner and Mickey Thompson rocker covers with T-bar fasteners and gold detailing. The car comes with a custom-made tonneau cover but has no hard or soft top.
The body is the hand-formed steel of a ’57 Ford Thunderbird with a variety of body modifications. Tom Culberston of Culberston’s Customs in Indianapolis, Indiana originally built Roxanne. Inspiration for this radical custom came from show cars built by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and George Barris in the ’50s and ’60s. Finished in a brilliant gold metallic paint, this custom roadster definitely plays off a golden motif. The large rear tailfins give the iconic cult look, helping this car resemble a rocket ship! Other exterior modifications to this roadster include 1959 Lincoln headlights, 1959 Buick taillights, shaved door handles, a custom grille, tail panels and a chopped windshield. Recently pinstriped by Tanner Leaser of Gas Monkey Garage and it looks absolutely excellent and complements the gold t-bird perfectly. There is a hairline stress crack inside the right headlight, barely noticeable but there. This astounding custom sits on four alloy wheels in a star pattern, wrapped in Dimension All Season whitewall tires measuring P205/75R14.
A striking feature is the fully custom white Naugahyde vinyl on the interior, the wheel wells, engine bay and even the hood pad! These details set apart a show car from a cruiser. This vinyl encases the seats and is diamond-pleated. The seats show no known wear or tear, as is expected from a show-winning vehicle. Another custom feature is the 1961 Chrysler glass dome gauge cluster. This bubble dome appears as if it came right out of a science fiction comic book from that era. The steering wheel is a ’60s Plymouth Aero wheel; there is also a custom shifter and – astoundingly – a retro rotary telephone attached to the center of the floorboard. Inside the glovebox is a Sony AM/FM stereo with CD player. The trunk has been equipped with a small, restored 1950s Admiral TV, oil, gas and water cans and a period correct first-aid kit, all accented or sheathed in gold, plus a full-size spare tire. According to previous accounts, the interior features have been finished in 14-karat gold.
This example left Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan assembly plant on June 25, 1957, a 312 CID V-8 and a Holley four-barrel carburetor, mated to an overdrive transmission with a 3.10 rear end.
Now, this custom car is unique and will serve well as a show car for any collection but please note this car has no top and must have indoor storage space. Awards for Roxanne include: Oakland Roadster Show, Sacramento Roadster Show and Lead Sled East among more in the radical custom class. Don’t miss your opportunity to grab a custom award-winning roadster to showcase in your collection!
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 88,370 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
VIN: D7FH320339
Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.