The Ford Barn

Jim.UT · 12-04-2025, 02:58 PM

I met a man who has some good parts he has removed from a 57 Thunderbird project that he says I can have. I've already picked up a starter as I assume it's the same. If not I'll sell it somewhere.

He also has some powder-coated front brake drums. Did the Fairlane and Thunderbird share the same brake drums?

I'm looking for a master parts catalog to buy so I can answer these kinds of questions myself, but haven't found one yet.

miker98038 · 12-04-2025, 07:27 PM

Best of my knowledge, brakes, A Arms spindles, etc. are all the same. The drag link is narrower on a bird I think, and the 57 ford had some changes that didn’t make it to the 57 bird.

dmsfrr · 12-04-2025, 11:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've been told '57 Tbird front drums are 1/2 inch wider than '55/'56 Tbird front drums but have no idea how they compare to '57 Fairlane front drums & spindles. If matching '57 backing plates are available they might be good to have.

A '57 Fairlane being a larger heavier car than a '57 Tbird it would sure be a good idea to double check the drum sizes. I have a MPC but I'm not sure what years it covers. It's around here somewhere...

12-04-2025, 02:58 PM	#1
Jim.UT Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Washington, Utah Posts: 57	55 Fairlane vs Thunderbird parts interchange I met a man who has some good parts he has removed from a 57 Thunderbird project that he says I can have. I've already picked up a starter as I assume it's the same. If not I'll sell it somewhere. He also has some powder-coated front brake drums. Did the Fairlane and Thunderbird share the same brake drums? I'm looking for a master parts catalog to buy so I can answer these kinds of questions myself, but haven't found one yet.

12-04-2025, 07:27 PM	#2
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,765	Re: 55 Fairlane vs Thunderbird parts interchange Best of my knowledge, brakes, A Arms spindles, etc. are all the same. The drag link is narrower on a bird I think, and the 57 ford had some changes that didn’t make it to the 57 bird.

12-04-2025, 11:54 PM	#3
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,789	Re: 55 Fairlane vs Thunderbird parts interchange Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've been told '57 Tbird front drums are 1/2 inch wider than '55/'56 Tbird front drums but have no idea how they compare to '57 Fairlane front drums & spindles. If matching '57 backing plates are available they might be good to have. A '57 Fairlane being a larger heavier car than a '57 Tbird it would sure be a good idea to double check the drum sizes. I have a MPC but I'm not sure what years it covers. It's around here somewhere...