Vehicle Description
1957 Ford Custom
For the 1949 model year, the Custom nameplate was used for the top
trim level in Ford's range automobile. It was part of the
completely new redesign of Ford cars after the war. In 1950, it had
a 114-inch wheelbase and 196.8-inch overall length. For 1950 the
name was changed to Custom Deluxe and then to Customline for 1952
when it moved to the midrange position between the new Mainline and
Crestline models. The Custom name returned for the 1957 model year
along with a new Custom 300 series, these two models sitting below
the Fairlane and Fairlane 500. The base Custom was the bottom-rung
model, whose primary customers were fleet buyers. The Custom 300
was a step up and intended for value-conscious customers. The
Custom and Custom 300 generally replaced the fleet-oriented
Mainline and mid-range Customline, respectively, from 1956. The
Custom 300 became the base model for 1958 but was dropped from the
range for 1960.
If variety is the spice of life then this car could be put into the
category as hot, with a pinch of sweetness. For consignment, a rust
free original metal 1957 version of the Ford Custom, with a two
tone paint job, a basic entry level car with some extra spice added
in the form of a small swoop spear accenting the rear fenders. As
for fins, we are in the tasteful era, and not yet out of control
from the designer's pens. A 10 year old cosmetic restoration still
looking great today and a rebuilt drivetrain make this former sunny
Georgia vehicle a great runner and driver.
Exterior
A single headlight on either side with an upper overhanging visor
flanks a slightly outward V shaped grille in chrome egg crate with
the obligatory big bumper below with bumper guards, you are now in
1957 and looking very cool. A turquoise painted hood, fenders and
doors blend nicely with the white roof and white highlighted fins.
A swoop spear in chrome delineates the two tones on the rear
quarter panels and adds a wonderful highlight to the overall look.
On the back, the rear quarters have some nice fins with rocket
style round tail lights and between is the cavernous trunk with the
Ford crest emblem dead center The bottom roll panel is painted more
of the turquoise and hanging below is a wide large and in charge
bumper with dual exhaust peeking out the bottom. Gaps are well
minded and the body panels are straight and free of any rust.
Keeping this 50's cruiser on the ground are chrome 15" steel wheels
with dog dish caps wrapped in Mickey Thompson blackwall rubber.
Interior
Within all that greenhouse glass is a mixture of blue velour, black
vinyl, and black carpet for the door panels and two tone seats. The
door panels are just a little wrinkly and soiled but have wonderful
polished levers and cranks. Inside a split back bench for the front
and a full bench for the rear, all wrapped with black bolsters and
blue velour inserts with some wide tuck and roll stitching. The
material on the seats is looking just fine. Fronting all this
seating is the original dash, with a gray dash top and dash front.
The gracefully curved instrument and speedo eyebrow shows the clean
and well-preserved gauges within, various controls, the original AM
radio and various knobs and pulls. Just below, nice black carpeting
is lapping at the seats and thresholds and covers the front and
rear passenger compartment. The dash is a wraparound style just
like the windshield above, and the headliner is a nice and tight
blue velour. Just a slight bit of wear is seen on some of the
chromed plastic surrounds on the dash.
Drivetrain
A lift of the forward hinged clamshell hood and what to our
wondering eyes does appear but a rebuilt 272ci V8. This has a
2-barrel carburetor atop, and it's covered by the correct air
cleaner assembly in silver. Nice Thunderbird emblazoned valve
covers can be seen, and the engine bay is overall very clean. On
the back is a rebuilt Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic which pushes
power back to the rear axle which is a Ford 9-inch with 3.10
gears.
Undercarriage
Some light surface rust has been rattle can sprayed black matte,
and it is somewhat unevenly applied but everything is still very
sound structurally. The original floor pans are on this car and
rockers underneath are rust free. Independent coil springs for the
front suspension and drum brakes for the front wheels, and on the
back are leaf springs with more drum brakes. A dual glasspack
exhaust is now on.
Drive-Ability
This rebuilt engine fired right up, and it was off to the Classic
Auto Mall test track. Here it performed swimmingly with nice
acceleration, and smooth automatic shifting. Cornering was just a
bit lumbering but remember we are in 1957 and in a fairly large car
so it was as expected. Braking was bias free and strong with not
too much foot input required. A few frowns crept up during my drive
in the form of the wipers not wiping, the radio not broadcasting,
and you occasionally need to jiggle the shifter to start the car.
Minor nuances but otherwise a fun and exciting test drive.
A nice example of 1957 Ford automobilia: some visored headlights, a
swoop spear in two tone, wrap around glass, and snazzy interior
could have been pulled out of the local drive in. A rebuilt 272ci
V8 and Ford-O-Matic tranny, and there could be a lot of cruising in
your future running around impressing the chicks.
VIN DECODE
B7KG135650
B-272ci V8 2bbl 190hp
7-1957
K-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
G-Customline
135650-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 70A-Custom Tudor Sedan
COLOR J-Willow Green
TRIM A-?
PROD CODE 15C-March 15th Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.