Featured is a fine looking two-tone 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Coupe. The Ford Fairlane model was sold between 1955 and 1970.
The new 1957 Ford models were popular with car buyers and propelled Ford to beat out Chevy for the first time in over twenty years. The Fairlane replaced the Ford Crestlines as Ford’s top of the line model for full size vehicles.
At the beginning the Ford Fairlane was a full size vehicle but later in 1962 the Fairlane became a mid size model. The Fairlane achieved great sales numbers during the latter 1950’s and continues to be a very popular collector car today.
The Ford Fairlane was named after Henry Ford’s 56 room, 31,000 square foot Fair Lane estate in Dearborn, Michigan, a Detroit suburb.
1957 Ford Fairlane Styling
Ford introduced all new styling in 1957. Ford’s new models for 1957 were longer, wider, lower, sleeker and with two tail fins. Body panels took on a sculptured look for the first time. This was a significant change since the process of stamping sheet metal with sharp creases that wouldn’t break was in it’s infancy. Many of the sculptured panels for 1957 models were rejected because the process was so new. Ford made necessary changes so that stamping the sculptured body panels for 1959 and 1960 models were much more reliable.
The Fairlane 500
The Fairlane 500 was the top trim level for the Fairlane models. The Fairlane 500 has the chrome trim and other more dressy features. The 500 Fairlane had a three speed automatic transmission, select engines and a more stylish interior than the base model. The Fairlane 500 was a step above the Fairlane Base model and the 500 XL was one step ahead of the 500.
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Specificatio
The 1957 Ford Fairlanes had several engine options. In addition to a 223 cubic inch inline six with 144 HP there were six different V-8’s available. These was a 272 cubic inch V-8, and five different 312 cubic inch V-8’s with power ranges for the six from 190HP to 340 HP.The top two V-8’s on this ;list were actually “Thunderbird 312” engines.
As a side note,1957 marked the 25th anniversary of Ford’s first V-8.
Transmissions available was a three speed manual, a three speed manual with overdrive, and a three speed Ford-O-Matic automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Dimensions included an overall length of 207.7 inches, 118.0 inch wheelbase, 77.5 inch width, 56.2 inch height, and a curb weight averaging 3,450 lbs.
The 1957 model year was a very good year for Ford. Production hit a record 1.67 million vehicles which ended up being 170,000 more than Chevrolet.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material for this article includes...Ford Motor Company Archives..Cars of the 50s by the Editors of Consumer Guide..Cars of the Fabulous 50’s: A Decade of igh Style and Good Times by James M. Flammang.
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Collector Cars
The decade of the 50s can be characterized as the era of glamour automobiles, lots of finny luxury cars and of course America’s two-seated sports cars. It’s pretty difficult to find an automobile built during the 1950’s that isn’t a good collector car, trucks included.
The 1957 models are some of the more popular cars coming out of the 50s. Chevrolet had a big seller with their 57 Bel Air and Ford did very well with their Fairlane models. Almost all automakers unveiled new styling for 1957 as well.
Current auction and asking prices for the 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 are in a range of from about $32,000 to $48,000. The higher amounts reflect the Fairlane 500 Convertible models. Restoration age and degree and general condition plus engine size and transmission will effect actual values.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)