1957 John North/Gene Pitney FORD CUSTOM
Barris vs John North known as the “White Pearl”
One of the most famous and highly documented true survivors of the 1950’s custom muscle cars with famous owner.
Yes, in the 1950’s George Barris of Los Angeles was the most famous custom car creator on the west coast. John North of Hartford, Connecticut was the most famous custom car creator on the East coast (check out the photo of John North with his young family surrounded by all the trophies that his 1957 Ford White Pearl” had won).
John North’s bought brand new, his 1957 Ford 2-door hardtop Fairlane. See attached photo of the invoice for purchase of car new and with all the rare factory equipment it was ordered with. This 1957 Ford was ordered and purchased with the rarest of Ford Motor factory E-Code option, including a 3-speed manual transmission and the rare 300 H.P. engine with the factory dual four-barrel carburetors and with the beautiful and rare factory air cleaner. John had the shifter mounted on the floor. In addition, also note the Lakers, large tach on the steering wheel, built in the dash (non-working) TV, Dummy Spotlights. Also included are the optional skirts for rear fenders.
Odometer reads 47,695
John North sent his brand new 1957 Ford to a professional custom shop of the day and under his direction the car was nosed, decked and raked and included the special front end custom grill. Gorgeous gold leafing scallops and special custom tail end lites and rear Nerf Bar rear bumpers. A special white pearl paint was applied in several coats. Gold leafing and full custom white tuck and roll interior with tonneau cover.
The interior seats and carpet (yes the carpeting) were completely tuck and rolled in white.
The dash knobs were tricolored plastic turned on a lath. Even the trunk lock release was moved to a pull knob on the rear window ledge panel. The outside door handles were removed.
For the muscle driving experience, the 1957 Ford is a very fast car with 300 HP with a 3-speed manual transmission and the BEST SOUND ON GLASS packs you have ever heard. Cruise all day 75 to 80 mph (please watch out for the ‘radar”).
Check out the invoice when John North purchased the 1957 Ford that includes the rare E-Code option. Note the definition of E-Code option: The “E-Code” option, regarded by many as the most desirable option available for the Ford engine, features the 312 cubic inch V-8, which is topped with a pair of Holley four-barrel carburetors and was raced with a larger bore, longer stroke, higher compression ratio, and an automatic choke.
And talk about a documented winner: just take a look at the picture of John North with his wife and children surrounded by a roomful of trophies in his trophy room. This car won more trophies in its day than almost any Barris custom car.
And just to double down on the famous part, John North’s wife was a cousin to Gene Pitney who was also a close neighbor who begged John North to sell him the car. After a few years. John did sell the car to Gene and Gene would take it to his concerts. Mark North, John North’s son visited the car and reminisced about when Gene Pitney bought the 1957 Ford.
While we are talking about the documentation of the car, John North had his nickname “Moose” painted onto the firewall. Gene Pitney’s signature is on the tuck and rolled steering wheel cover. (see pictures).
Now top all of this off with the fact that 95% of the car is original paint, chrome, interior from the customizing done in 1957/1958 and all the running gear is just the way was ordered from the factory!!!
In closing, be sure to read the articles in the photo section to understand the comparison between East Coast customizing by the famous John North and West Coast customizing, really a great article. Also, you will want to read the article, “The Cultured Pearl” in Rod Builder magazine November 1959.
The John North car has been in numerous magazine articles in the 1950s and for many decades thereafter. This is an extremely well known custom/muscle car. If you are only going to have one collector car or you have a large collection and want a “Star Car”, you won’t find a more impacting car for your audience.
Call 331.213.1172 with serious inquiries, sorry I do not text.
