Vehicle Description
This 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner convertible is a one-owner
car...let that sink in for a moment. It has been under the same
care for the last 65 years. Sports stadiums have been built and
dismantled during the time this car has been under the same
possession. And more than just history, this one was ordered with
great features like the big V8 and air conditioning. So this
drop-top cruiser is your opportunity at one of the desirable kinds
of survivors you're ever going to see.
While the history of this one is amazing, you also want to take
time to get to know the virtues of this car. The trim tag tells us
this was born a desirable Raven Black car. And the finish even
shows all the right signs of being factory original! And the '57
Fairlane has the true look of a terrific cruiser. You see it in the
wraparound chrome bumpers, factory wheel covers with whitewalls,
and the awesome Continental kit on the rear. The whole presentation
of this car feels exceptionally authentic and original. So that
also means it's not perfect... but you're not looking for
perfection here. A car can only be original once. And survivor
lovers would even grapple with replacing the top or giving the car
a respray. After all, the elements that have taken over a
half-century to wear-in are a badge of honor that help tell this
Ford's unique tale. And as you can see from the pictures, this car
was cherished. The panels have an exceptional fit - including the
doors. It means the sweeping side trim runs down the profile and
onto the tailfin like an almost unbroken line. So as you look over
the whole convertible, what most of us really see is a clean and
complete presentation that invites you to be the guardian of
rolling history.
The top powers down to reveal a two-tone interior, and just like
the exterior, we're hard-pressed to find anything that doesn't
appear factory. And originality means you get to see what the
designers wanted to do in 1957. The door panels follow the exterior
trim's design, the two-tone seats have a distinctive ribbed
pattern, and the Ford family crest is not only on the steering
wheel but also between the rear seats. The idea here is about
opening a time capsule. You may want to remove the seat bottom
covers to do repairs or get the original AM radio working again.
But the overall appeal here is that's your decision to make. And if
you do choose to restore some elements, one that will really make
this an even more fun cruiser is the rare and desirable factory air
conditioning option.
Tilt the hood forward to show off an impressive engine bay. This
was born a D-code machine, which was called the 312 cubic-inch
"Thunderbird Special" in 1957. It was the larger displacement of
the two V8 options, this even came with a factory Holley
four-barrel carburetor. This special motor looks just as authentic
as the rest of the car, right down to the bold red block, big air
grabber, and washer fluid bag. So it's hard to believe this is
anything but the original setup for this one-owner classic. And
when a car is under good care it can still be both authentic and
still be a driver. That's why it was also built to be comfortable
with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and
power brakes.
The sale comes complete with the original owner's manual and the
right vintage literature that would have come from the dealer. Not
all of us have a memory that can reach back 65 years, but this
one-owner survivor Sunliner does. So if you know how special this
convertible is, you know you need to call today!
