1957 Ford: Longer, Lower, and Wider for '57
With the new 1957 Ford, car owners could get a longer, lower, and wider car at a great price. Value was the name of the game for Ford's biggest car offerings this year, with the Custom Series models being about 17 feet long or more. Buyers could choose among several great engines by Ford, which were variations of the Thunderbird V-8 or a Mileage Maker Six. With the amazing Bull's Eye Hood Ornament, which decorated the hood of all models, Ford owners were sure to get noticed.
Let's take a look at the 1957 models and see why they were so loved by Ford fans.
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Ford's Custom Series.
The Custom Series models were built on a 116-inch wheelbase, making them the biggest cars in this series yet. The models included the Tudor Sedan, Business Sedan, and the Fordor Sedan. The Tudor Sedan was a two-door car with comfort and beauty to match its great performance on regular gasoline. It featured a swept-back windshield pillar, a styling feature usually only seen on higher-priced cars. The Business Sedan offered extra space for luggage or cargo behind the seat and could hold three passengers easily. The Fordor Sedan was built for a family of six. Its front seat had posture-control and was bolted to the chassis frame for additional support. It could be adjusted to 11 unique positions.
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Custom 300 Series.
The models in the Custom 300 Series lineup were fine cars at low budget pricing. They featured full-length chrome trim with an elegant design. The interiors were beautifully color-keyed and made of chain-grain vinyl trim and comfortable nylon cloth. The flooring was decorated in Ford's new, attractive Sof-Tread covering. The models within this series were a Fordor Sedan and a Tudor Sedan. The Fordor Sedan had a smooth design with a 17-foot body and four doors. It also featured the new level-ride suspension system in the rear. The Tudor Sedan allowed six passengers to ride comfortably with plenty of room to spare. It was lower than ever and had under-slung drive and a Full-Cradle chassis.
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Fairlane Series.
"Longer, Lower, but Taller on the Inside" characterized the 1957 Ford Fairlane Series. These were taller on the inside, giving more room than ever while keeping the models in the low-price range. The Fairlane models were built heavier and made to hug the road. The body was about 17 1/2 feet long and built on a 118-inch wheelbase. And with rich interior features, each model was considered a fine car in every way.
The Fairlane Series models were the Club Hardtop, Town Hardtop, Club Sedan, and Town Sedan. The Club Hardtop was trimmed in a "panther" type design with two doors. Buyers could add sizzle to it with an optional Thunderbird V-8 engine with the new Super-Filter air cleaner. The Town Hardtop offered open-car thrills with the convenience of four doors and plenty of space for comfortable family outings.
The Club Sedan had chrome window frames, a trim body design, and thin, concealed center posts. It resembled a hardtop and came in many wonderful colors. The Town Sedan featured a pillar that was extra thin, but very strong. The pillar was concealed behind the window frames, which gave the car the look of a hardtop. It also had a curved instrument panel design with recessed control knobs.
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Fairlane 500 Series.
The Fairlane 500 Series was a completely new type of Fairlane Ford, which was heavier and lower than before. These cars were so big that Ford said, "You will hardly believe your eyes." These were almost 7 1/2 feet long, but only about 4 2/3 feet high. They were built to look much more expensive than they actually were. Buyers could choose a Thunderbird V-8 engine or a Mileage Maker Six engine. The models in this series included the Fairlane 500 Town Hardtop, the Fairlane 500 Club Sedan, the Fairlane 500 Club Hardtop, the Fairlane 500 Sunliner, and the Fairlane 500 Town Sedan.
The Town Hardtop had a new design inside and out with four doors and luxurious appointments. The rear doors even had an automatic assist feature for opening and closing them. The Club Sedan was a two-door model that had the long, open appearance of a hard top. Its front windshield wrapped around the car farther than before, and it featured a Deep-Deck luggage area. The Club Hardtop had a new roof design of the "thin-line" type with extra strength and support. It was a two-door car with a visor-like roof extension that gave rear-seat passengers more head room.
The Sunliner convertible was one of America's favorites during this era. It had spacious interior as well as luxurious appointments. The Town Sedan had a low silhouette with a defined hardtop style. Its 20 Silent-Grip body mounts helped reduce road shock and sound, giving passengers a quieter, smoother ride..
Ford Station Wagon Series for 1957
Five new editions were offered to station wagon fans in 1957. The wagons were longer and lower than ever with some of the most advanced features for luxury and convenience. They had a new tailgate structure and a new liftgate, Stowaway seats, new interiors made of woven plastic or all-vinyl, full-width, fresh-air cowl ventilation, and more. The models included a 9-passenger Country Sedan, a Ranch Wagon, a 6-passenger Country Sedan, a 9-passenger Country Squire, and a Del Rio Ranch Wagon.
The 9-passenger Country Sedan was a four-door wagon with plenty of room for nine. It was built solid, lower, and longer - but with a super quiet drive. The Ranch Wagon was a budget wagon with two doors and plenty of cargo space. Its liftgate was built in a new design that was wider and wrapped around the back at the window for better access. The 6-passenger Country Sedan had four doors with a spacious cargo deck measuring 9 feet x 5 feet. It also featured a Stowaway seat that was tucked away for extra storage.
The 9-passenger Country Squire was considered one of America's most distinguished wagons. Just like the other wagons, it had a tailgate and lift that could be opened with no effort using a single release handle. The Del Rio Ranch Wagon was stylish and could be used for work or play. It could hold six passengers and plenty of cargo. And with the luxurious interior, families enjoyed a comfortable ride everywhere they went.
The Ford Engines for 1957
Ford buyers could opt for a Ford Mileage Maker Six engine or a Thunderbird V-8. The 144-horsepower Six came with any model. With Custom and Custom 300 models, the 190-horsepower, 272-cubic-inch V-8 was available as well as the 245-horsepower, 312-cubic-inch Special V-8. For Fairlane, Fairlane 500, or Station Wagon models, buyers could opt for a 212-horsepower, 292-cubic-inch V-8 or a 245-horsepower, 312-cubic-inch Special V-8. Each engine offered a choice of a Fordomatic Overdrive or a Conventional transmission.
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Other Ford Options.
Ford also offered plenty of options so every buyer could be completely satisfied. These included Master-Guide power steering, Power-Lift windows, a four-way power front seat, Swift-Sure power brakes, Fordomatic transmission, Selectaire Conditioner, power assists, and a Signal-Seek radio.
The 1957 Ford gave auto buyers a chance to ride comfortably in a longer, lower car while still enjoying plenty of space to move and breathe. The features, designs, and grand sizes of these cars still amaze Ford enthusiasts today.
