1957 Ford
1957 - 1959 Ford | |
---|---|
Ford-O-Matic automatic | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 116 in (2,946 mm) 118 in (2,997 mm) |
Length | 203.5 in (5,169 mm) [3] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | 1955 Ford |
Successor | 1960 Ford |
The mainstream
The new chassis allowed the floor to be placed much lower, which in turn led to a lower and longer look overall. Wheels were now 14 inches in diameter rather the previous 15 inches, this also helped to give a lower profile. The major component of this chassis was a
1957
The 1957 models retained a single-headlight front end like their predecessors, but were unmistakable with their long flanks and tailfins. A plethora of trim lines was introduced, starting with the base "Custom", "Custom 300", "Fairlane", and top-line "Fairlane 500". The two Custom lines used a 116 in (2946 mm) wheelbase, while the Fairlanes had 118 in (2997 mm) between the wheels. A new car/pickup truck hybrid based on the short-wheelbase chassis was also introduced, the Ranchero.
The 223 CID (3.7 L)
A new frame was used for the 1957 Fords. It moved to perimeter rails out, so that they would fully envelope the passengers.[7]
This model was very successful, being the best selling car in America, overtaking arch rival Chevrolet for the first time since 1935.[8]
-
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria
-
1957 Ford Country Sedan
-
1957 Ford Custom Ranchero
1958
The line was freshened with a simulated hood scoop and dual-headlight front clip for 1958.
The convertible version of Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner (also called Skyliner Retractable Convertible), had been sold for three years - 1957, 1958, and 1959. It was the most expensive vehicle offered by Ford. The 1958 Skyliner sold for $3,163 ($33,403 in 2023 dollars [10]) while the standard convertible sold for $2,650 ($27,985 in 2023 dollars [10]) and the sedan went for $2,055 ($21,702 in 2023 dollars [10]). A total of 14,713 units were produced in 1958. Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner weighed 4,609-pounds.[12]
-
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Sedan
-
1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
-
1958 Ford Country Sedan
-
1958 Ford Ranchero
1959
The top-line spot for 1959 was the new Galaxie, positioned above the continued Fairlane 500. The Custom line was dropped, with Custom 300 the lowest rung on the ladder, and all 1959 Fords used the long 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase. New for safety was fully padded armrests and rear door locks that were child proof.[13] American prices ranged from the mid-1,000 to the low 3,000s. In 1958, a concept car was introduced called "la Galaxie" which incorporated the headlights into pods inline with the grille and a reduced front profile.[14]
This version was also assembled in Australia, beginning in late 1959. Local models were the luxurious Fairlane 500, the lower-priced Custom 300 (both sedans), as well as the
-
1959 Ford Galaxie Town Sedan
-
1959 Ford Galaxie Club Victoria
-
1959 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible
-
1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner. 1959 Galaxies carried both Fairlane 500 and Galaxie badges
-
1959 Ford Ranch Wagon (2-door)
-
1959 Meteor (Canada)
-
1960-61 Australian built Fairlane 500 with revised grille
References
- ISBN 978-0959228724.
- ^ 1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery sales brochure cover Retrieved on 31 December 2009
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Ranchero/1957_Ford_Ranchero_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ a b "A New Kind of Ford for '57". Ford Motor Company. 1956. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-09-20 – via Oldcarbrochures.com.
- ^ "1957 Ford Fairlane" (brochure). Ford Motor Company. 1956. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 2011-11-20 – via Oldcarbrochures.com.
- ^ Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. March 1957.
- ^ "1957 Ford Fairlane" (brochure). Ford Motor Company. 1956. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 2011-11-20 – via Oldcarbrochures.com.
- ^ Markus, Frank (11 March 2010). "Six Decades of Best Selling Cars". Motor Trend. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- ^ a b c d 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford/1958_Ford/1958 Ford Fairlane Brochure". Ford Motor Company. 1957. Retrieved 2011-11-20 – via Oldcarbrochures.com.
- ^ 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford/1959_Ford/1959_Ford_Brochure_1". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- ^ "Ford La Galaxie Concept Car (1958)". Old Concept Cars. Theme by Mauer Themes. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ The Cumberland Argus. Parramatta, NSW. 30 September 1959. p. 6. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ Darwin, p. 136
Further reading
- David L. Lewis (2005). 100 Years of Ford. Publications International. pp. 178–193. ISBN 978-0-7853-7988-1.
- "Generations: Ford Model T to Crown Victoria". Edmunds.com. Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved August 21, 2006.
External links
- Media related to 1957-1959 Ford vehicles at Wikimedia Commons