58 Impala vs 57 supercharged Ford 280 hp VS 300 hp Hello, We had seen our nemesis black 1957 Ford many times during our stock car cl*** eliminations. It was a hard charging supercharged Ford sedan. If anyone blinked at the start, the Ford was in front and possibly going to win. So, one had to be on the lights and ready for the go light. 300 hp VS 280 hp…seemed pretty even as per stock car rules. In going through my films and researching the famous So Cal Tapia Brothers Family, I kept going over the films that I had taken. Some that my friend had taken showing me watching the Tapia Brothers injected Chevy FED making a turn around at the starting line. So in those films, I discovered a custom 57 Ford hardtop with long side lakes pipes and custom wheels. Since it is in the return road, ready to get the e.t./top speed card at the tower, our 58 Impala was in the background waiting its turn. 57 Ford LAKES PIPES 58 Impala Action at the drags... it takes all kinds to have some fun, fun, fun. Jnaki Some of those early Ford sedans were in a different cl*** depending on what was under the hood. But, the styling can be in many different designs, including mild customs, just to see what the old car will do in the quarter mile. It might be a 58 Impala or the 57 custom Ford, or even that Dodge/Plymouth sitting in the background. YRMV
I never was a fan of the 59 it's like to many design ideas made it fussy to me the best look is a 57 with a 58 front clip. Fords should have big round tail lights and the single head lights in a 57 looked bug eyed.
I have always liked 58 Fords since my parents had one when I was a little boy. I don’t really remember a lot about it, seen some pictures. But I do remember and loved the grille! And the front hinged hood. That was a great idea. Why did they stop doing that? Anyway, it was my folks first new car. But dad told me recently it was the worst car he ever owned. YMMV.
Is the wagon a Monarch or Meteor? Sorry, I can’t remember. I know it’s a Canadian only model. I like the grille. Whatever it is I really like grille of the 56 version.
My uncle bought a 58 Custom 300 just like the one in the picture, Azure blue, 292 with three on the tree. When my cousin got it a few years later it got skirts, flipper caps, tube grille and a few other goodies. I ain't much of a Ford guy but that one was kool back in the day!
couldn't help myself. luke doolins death scene in "thunder road." also used in an episode of "perry mason" and "the twilight zone."
it’s seems to be kind of like a shortened ring. Then the rear is like a merc ring frenched in. A few guy have it done in the LA area. Imagine using a 53-55 F100 headlight ring. I think of other guy might be looking into making a kit. Look up fomocochoptop. Username on IG. He has better pics. I think also the Tiangco Ranchero clone has it done this way.
I always thought the 58's were under-rated... Seems few folks like 'em. I do, & it doesn't take much to cool 'em up!
The Jalopy Journal
