1957 Ford

April 2026 April 2026 1957 – 1959 Ford 1957 Ford Fairline 500 Skyliner.jpg 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Ford 1957–1959 1955 Ford 1960 Ford Full-size Ford Meteor (Canada)Edsel RangerEdsel PacerEdsel RoundupEdsel VillagerEdsel Bermuda Main plant Dearborn, MI (⇗) Branch Assembly Twin Cities, MN (⇗) Somerville, MA (⇗) Richmond, CA (⇗) Norfolk, VA (⇗) Memphis, TN (⇗) Louisville, KY (⇗) Long Beach, CA (⇗) Kansas City, MO (⇗) Mahwah, NJ (⇗) Dallas, TX (⇗) Chicago, IL (⇗) Chester, PA (⇗) Buffalo, NY (⇗) Atlanta, GA (⇗) Worldwide Broadmeadows, Australia (1959 model)ND86 Darwin Norm 1986 The History of Ford in Australia Newstead Eddie Ford Publications 978-0959228724 136–139 (⇗) FR layout 3-speed manual3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic 2-door sedan (Tudor, Club Sedan)2-door business sedan (Tudor)4-door sedan (Fordor, Town Sedan)2-door hardtop (Club Victoria) 4-door hardtop (Town Victoria) 2-door convertible (Sunliner)2-door retractable hardtop (Skyliner)2-door station wagon4-door station wagon2-door coupe utility (Ranchero)2-door sedan delivery1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery sales brochure cover Retrieved on 31 December 2009 (Courier) 116 in mm 0 on 118 in mm 0 on 1426-1570 kg lb 1 203.5 in mm 0 onhttp://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford_Ranchero/1957_Ford_Ranchero_Foldout/1957%20Ford%20Ranchero-05.html Directory Index: Ford_Ranchero/1957_Ford_Ranchero_Foldout Oldcarbrochures.com 2011-11-20 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV I6272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block V8292 CID (4.8 L) T-bird V8312 CID (5.1 L) T-bird V8 (1957)332 CID (5.4 L) FE V8 (1958–59)352 CID (5.8 L) FE V8 (1958–59) The mainstream Ford line of cars grew substantially larger for 1957, a model which lasted through 1959. The Crown Victoria with its flashy chrome "basket handle" was no more, and the acrylic glass-roofed Crown Victoria Skyliner was replaced by a new model, the retracting-roof hardtop Skyliner. The new chassis allowed the floor to be placed much lower, which in turn led to a lower and longer look overall. Wheels were now 14 inches in diameter rather the previous 15 inches, this also helped to give a lower profile. The major component of this chassis was a differential whose pinion gear was exceptionally low relative to the axleshafts, lower than in conventional hypoid differentials. 1957 The 1957 models retained a single-headlight front end like their predecessors, but were unmistakable with their long flanks and tailfins. A plethora of trim lines was introduced, starting with the base "Custom", "Custom 300", "Fairlane", and top-line "Fairlane 500". The two Custom lines used a 116 in (2946 mm) wheelbase, while the Fairlanes had 118 in (2997 mm) between the wheels. A new car/pickup truck hybrid based on the short-wheelbase chassis was also introduced, the Ranchero. The 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV straight-six continued, now with 144 hp (107 kW). The V8 lineup included a 272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block making 190 hp (142 kW), a 292 CID (4.8 L) Thunderbird version making 212 hp (158 kW), a 312 cubic inch V8 making 245 HP and a supercharged 312 CID (5.1 L) Thunderbird Special making 300 hp kW 0 on, and designated "Police Interceptor" on the glove box. Two dual 4-barrel versions of the naturally aspirated (non-supercharged) 312 cubic inch V8 rated at 270 and 285 HP were available. The 270 HP version had the same cam as all the other V-8s but had vibration dampers on the valve springs. The 285 HP engine had a racing cam and was only available to NASCAR and possibly other racers. This option was dubbed "E code" and was available in all body types. It came standard with the deep-dish steering wheel. The radio had a transistorized audio output stage for the first time.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1957_Ford/1957_Ford_Full_Line_Brochure/1957%20Ford%20Brochure-07.html A New Kind of Ford for '57 Ford Motor Company Oldcarbrochures.com 7 1956 2020-09-20 There were lights for the generator and oil instead of gauges. The controls became recessed for more safety (the Lifeguard safety package was still available). http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1957_Ford/1957_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1957%20Ford%20Fairlane-16-17.html 1957 Ford Fairlane brochure Ford Motor Company Oldcarbrochures.com 1956 16–17 2011-11-20 Safety did not yet sell, however: In a survey of 1957 Ford owners in the March, 1957 issue of Popular Mechanics, only 6.2% of owners ordered seat belts.https://books.google.com/books?id=IOEDAAAAMBAJ Popular Mechanics Hearst Magazines March 1957 A new frame was used for the 1957 Fords. It moved to perimeter rails out, so that they would fully envelope the passengers.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1957_Ford/1957_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure/1957%20Ford%20Fairlane-18-19.html 1957 Ford Fairlane brochure 1956 Ford Motor Company Oldcarbrochures.com 18–19 2011-11-20 This model was very successful, being the best selling car in America, overtaking arch rival Chevrolet for the first time since 1935.Markus Frank Six Decades of Best Selling Cars http://www.motortrend.ca/en/news/six-decades-of-best-selling-cars/ Motor Trend 11 March 2010 October 25, 2016 1958 The line was freshened with a simulated hood scoop and dual-headlight front clip for 1958.Flory, Jr. J. "Kelly" American Cars, 1946–1959 Every Model Every Year 2008 McFarland & Company, Inc. 893 978-0-7864-3229-5 The rectangular grille openings gave way to circles and grille was set in the bumper. A new 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic was optional along with the 2-speed Ford-O-Matic and manual transmission. Engines were also updated, with the 272 CID dropped, the 292 CID making 205 hp (153 kW), and a new-generation 332 CID (5.4 L) FE V8 rated at 240 HP in 2 barrel form and 265 HP in 4 barrel "Interceptor" form. The new 352 cubic inch V8, also dubbed "Interceptor" and rated at 300 hp (224 kW) made its debut. A full-flow oil filter became standard across the range. Galaxie production was started in Lorain, Ohio at Ford's Lorain Assembly plant for 1958 and continued through 1959 with 102,869 Galaxies produced there. Air suspension, called "Ford-Aire" became optional on all vehicles except the entry-level Custom 300 for $156 ($ in US dollars US) but was cancelled in 1959. Vehicles equipped with the feature had a badge attached to the rear of the vehicle.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1958_Ford/1958%20Ford%20Fairlane%20Brochure/1958%20Ford%20Fairlane-12.html Directory Index: Ford/1958_Ford/1958 Ford Fairlane Brochure Ford Motor Company Oldcarbrochures.com 1957 2011-11-20 The convertible version of Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner (also called Skyliner Retractable Convertible), had been sold for three years – 1957, 1958, and 1959. It was the most expensive vehicle offered by Ford. The 1958 Skyliner sold for $3,163 ($ in US dollars US) while the standard convertible sold for $2,650 ($ in US dollars US) and the sedan went for $2,055 ($ in US dollars US). A total of 14,713 units were produced in 1958. Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner weighed 4,609-pounds.1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner 1959 The top-line spot for 1959 was the new Galaxie, positioned above the continued Fairlane 500. The Custom line was dropped, with Custom 300 the lowest rung on the ladder, and all 1959 Fords used the long 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase. New for safety was fully padded armrests and rear door locks that were child proof.http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1959_Ford/1959_Ford_Brochure_1/1959%20Ford-10.html Directory Index: Ford/1959_Ford/1959_Ford_Brochure_1 Oldcarbrochures.com 2011-11-20 American prices ranged from the mid-$1,000 to the low $3,000s. In 1958, a concept car was introduced called "la Galaxie" which incorporated the headlights into pods inline with the grille and a reduced front profile.Ford La Galaxie Concept Car (1958) http://oldconceptcars.com Old Concept Cars Theme by Mauer Themes 19 April 2022 This version was also assembled in Australia, beginning in late 1959. Local models were the luxurious Fairlane 500, the lower-priced Custom 300 (both sedans), as well as the Ranch Wagon.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131620424 Sedan, Ranch Wagon The Cumberland Argus Parramatta, NSW 30 September 1959 18 January 2015 6 The Australian models were powered by the 332 CID L 1 on "Thunderbird" engine, producing 204 hp. For 1960, the range was updated with the grille and trim from the 1959 Canadian Meteor.Darwin, p. 136 References Further reading 100 Years of Ford David L. Lewis 978-0-7853-7988-1 Publications International 2005 178–193 http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=93327 Generations: Ford Model T to Crown Victoria Edmunds.com August 21, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060905193428/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId%3D93327 5 September 2006 live External links 1957 Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States Category:1950s cars