1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Thunderbird Special features

[1957clint]

I have a 1957 Ford with a 312 Thunderbird Engine. I have heard that they have unique things that sets them apart from other 312's. Does anyone knows if this is right and can tell me what these parts are?

[Hoosier Hurricane]

The most obvious clues to the T-Bird engine are the 1 inch spacer between the water pump and the timing cover, the generator mounted higher than on the passenger car, and the rear sump oil pan, which would have been changed to front sump to fit your car and a mechanical tach distributor.  There are other differences, but the major engine parts are the same whether they were installed in cars or Birds.  312s were available  in passenger cars and Birds.   John

[abe_lugo]

I just noticed my 500 has a flip down ash tray, and my wagon and a parts car I cut up had a sliding forward one.  Both fit in the same dash ash tray hole. 

Also my 500 has power windows. Actually was full power.

[lalessi1]

I realized that too a while back. My Custom ashtray was not at all what I remembered from the Fairlane I had 50 years ago. I watch eBay for a while and found a NOS 500 ashtray and swapped it out. I believe I gave the old one to a forum member a few years ago. They look completely different even installed.

[59meteor]

I have seen 57 Fords with both styles of ashtrays, I imagine it was either a time related running change, or perhaps dependent on which plant was building the car. As for the "Thunderbird" 312, other than the water pump spacer, generator brackets, harmonic balancer, oil pan and pickup tube, and crankcase ventilation system, they are the same engine. It seemed that Ford like throwing the Thunderbird name around a lot back then, thus the "Thunderbird Special" decals on the valve covers.

[Ford Blue blood]

Makes no sense, I suspect the vast differences is in part caused by the multiple assembly plants.  My CA Ranchero had a flip down in it, the Retractable had a slider in it?