Convertible / Soft Top (40A) · 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 245 hp

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible / Soft Top (40A), 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 245 hp, 3-speed manual with overdrive

Ford's 1957 factory lineup identifies the Convertible / Soft Top (40A) with the 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 245 hp and 3-speed manual with overdrive.

Model-year reference photograph; roof, engine, and transmission details may differ from this exact configuration. ·

Photo: “1957 Ford Thunderbird (29064173621)” by Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim: Thunderbird
Body style: Convertible / Soft Top (40A)
Engine: 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 245 hp
Transmission: 3-speed manual with overdrive

The 292/212-hp V8 is retained only with the conventional manual. Ford lists the 245-hp, 270-hp dual-four-barrel, and 300-hp supercharged 312 V8s with all three transmissions. Race-only 285-hp and 340-hp engines are excluded.

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service topics: 3
Factory intervals: 0
Fitment-scoped: 3
Exact references: 1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

Minor tune-up — inspection and adjustment package
Fitment must be confirmed
Clean, adjust, and test the spark plugs; inspect the battery, regulator, timing, vacuum, carburetor, distributor, belts, hoses, and radiator cap; clean the air-cleaner element and fuel-pump bowl; and perform the other checks marked for a minor tune-up in Ford's table.
Applies to: 1957 · United States · Exact factory minor/major tune-up operation table. The licensed excerpt does not state a mileage interval or reproduce the separate lubrication schedule, so neither is claimed here.
Source: Ford — 1957 Ford Car and Thunderbird Shop Manual, minor/major tune-up schedule (licensed excerpt) · Chapter 1, printed pages 1-8 to 1-9, Table 2 — operations marked Minor · checked 2026-08-28
Major tune-up — expanded engine service package
Fitment must be confirmed
The major package adds the table's compression, ignition, fuel-pump, carburetor, fuel-filter, distributor, exhaust-analysis, and resistance tests to the operations Ford marks for major service. The table directs technicians to clean, adjust, and test—not automatically replace—the spark plugs.
Applies to: 1957 · United States · Exact factory minor/major tune-up operation table. The licensed excerpt does not state a mileage interval or reproduce the separate lubrication schedule, so neither is claimed here.
Source: Ford — 1957 Ford Car and Thunderbird Shop Manual, minor/major tune-up schedule (licensed excerpt) · Chapter 1, printed pages 1-8 to 1-9, Table 2 — operations marked Major · checked 2026-08-28
Engine oil filter — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a service interval.
Baldwin P80
Baldwin P80
Applies to: 1957 · 292 cu in (4.8-liter) two-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) dual-four-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) supercharged V8 · United States · Baldwin lists P80 for the element-type housing and B2 for the spin-on housing; identify the housing installed on the car before ordering. Confirm the installed engine and filter housing before ordering.
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1957 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 676, Lube column · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin P80
  Qty. 1 · Replaceable lubricating-oil filter element · catalog-listed
  Cataloged for the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Baldwin lists P80 for the element-type housing and B2 for the spin-on housing; identify the housing installed on the car before ordering. Confirm VIN, installed engine, and filter housing before ordering.
  Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1957 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 676, Lube column · checked 2026-09-01
  Search this part on Amazon
Baldwin B2
Baldwin B2
Applies to: 1957 · 292 cu in (4.8-liter) two-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) four-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) dual-four-barrel V8, 312 cu in (5.1-liter) supercharged V8 · United States · Baldwin lists P80 for the element-type housing and B2 for the spin-on housing; identify the housing installed on the car before ordering. Confirm the installed engine and filter housing before ordering.
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1957 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 676, Lube column · checked 2026-09-01
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B2
  Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
  Cataloged for the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Baldwin lists P80 for the element-type housing and B2 for the spin-on housing; identify the housing installed on the car before ordering. Confirm VIN, installed engine, and filter housing before ordering.
  Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1957 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 676, Lube column · checked 2026-09-01
  Search this part on Amazon

Sources

Other 1957 configurations

Filter all 1957 configurations →