Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Paul Mounts is just the second owner of this gorgeous, original numbers-matching Raven Black 1957 Ford Thunderbird (T-Bird). Like so many of his generation (Baby Boomers), he grew up in that era of the introduction to fast times, fast cars, an ever-changing economy and increased affluence.
Originally from Kentucky, upon graduation he moved to Chicago. He was a body man and mechanic by trade and had his own shop there for about 50 years. Soon after he was in the market for a car, particularly a '57 because that was the year to have - of any car, he says! The automobile industry was busting out new and ever-changing models faster than they could sell them!
Paul liked the smooth flowing lines of the '57, its two seats, a Ford with a V-8 for power, a convertible - hardtop too - all rolled up into one. He found this one through a policeman friend of his in the Chicago area. Seems that a local woman had some issues with another mechanic and wanted this car removed from the guy's shop. The guy wasn't a very competent mechanic - was taking forever, she said - and she feared she was being taken. She also wanted to sell it (needed the money, she said). It had just over 20,000 miles on it in six years. It was a California car up until her move to Chicago. Paul jumped at the chance to purchase it, needless to say!
Paul was able to have the heated and dry space to keep it stored during the nasty winters of Chicago, and during the summers it was a cruiser, he says. He was putting about 3-4000 miles a year on it, and that was all. He wouldn't even take the car out in the Chicago area until several weeks and a couple of rainstorms later, so there wasn't any trace of salt left on the roads.
The car featured the optional 312 block, 3 speed Ford-O-Matic, Dual exhausts, the original "Port-Hole" hardtop, turneau cover and convertible top. This was the first year too for the 12 volt system in the T-Bird. The rear end gears are 3:48 also, perfect for a cruiser he says!
One thing missing, though, was the Continental Kit and Kelsey-Hayes wheels that he loved. During the first re-build in '75, Paul added the continental kit and always had an eye out for those rare original Kelsey-Hayes 74-spoke wire wheels.
Funny story on the wheels. He saw an ad for them in some type of Auto-Trader magazine, he recalls, about 1981. He called the guy and could never get through. They were new - in the box - and there were 5 of them. He had his wife keep calling the guy until one day he answered and when she asked how much... the guy said $80,000! Her immediate response was, "do we get the rest of the car then too?!" After some negotiating, Paul ended up with his prized wheels after all (they were only produced for a couple of years), and they've been on the car ever since!
With the original enamel black paint starting to show its age, Paul decided it was time for a thorough tear down and re-build in December of 2016. Being a mechanic, retired and living in Florida now for the last 10 years, he knew what to do and how to do it.
The car was completely stripped, repainted with a two-stage urethane by Sherman Williams (Raven Black). He invested over $30,000 into the re-build, but kept the original "Y"-Block, running gear and parts that he could.
Finished in early 2017, it now has only 102,000 miles and he still loves to put the top down (which he can do a LOT more often in sunny Florida, he says!). He hangs onto things, he says, as is a testament to his 40+ years of marriage (before she passed away), and now has his new wife (Urszula) who also loves to cruise with the top down as much as Paul does.
By the way - the license plate tag says it all but that's not all... he has had that same tag in Illinois for over 40 years, so when he retired to Florida about 10 years ago, he was hoping to get the same tag. At the DMV he almost sheepishly asked if that plate was available, and sure enough - it was! So whether it's Fabulous or 'FABLUS-7,' we have to agree, Paul - it IS one fine '57 T-Bird!