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.