I've been talking with a fellow that has a 1957 Fairlane 500 for sale. For those of you that know this vehicle, are there any particular things to watch out for in this year-model? Any areas that I should pay particular attention to if I go to see it? Supposedly it is mostly original with a 312/Fordomatic and is driveable. I've read conflicting opinions regarding the original build quality - that the '57s were both more solid than the 55-56, and also that these models are more prone to serious rust problems. It's a 2 day trip each way for me to see it, so I figure forewarned is forearmed. Any advice is welcome. Oh, yeah - http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/3498130432.html
I'm hoping he has sent you some more ( and better ) photos ? I'd want to see more photos before I made the trip . Good luck though , '57s are great looking car .
the '57s are rot factories. Rockers, quarters, any sheet metal. The dog legs are known problems, as are the fender eyebrows. The eyebrows are gone on western cars even. The drive-train is bulletproof. Before getting in a car, have him take detailed pictures of the body mounts, inner rockers, dog legs, inner and outer quarters, and the trunk pan. Looks like a nice car though
Unfortunately the seller is pretty old school (no internet, email, etc) and is letting his brother handle this stuff. I haven't had much luck yet on that. Fords for sale in this condition and vintage are pretty scarce in AK, and when you do find them the sellers tend to be proud of what they're $elling. Yep, that's exactly what I thought when I first saw it. It wasn't until I took a closer look on a big monitor - an unintended optical illusion.
Since I would like to get a 57 , I'll be watching this one . Hard to see with only 3 pics but I don't see $5k there myself ....but if that's the going rate , well .... T
good luck bruce. 5000 may seem steep, but how much to get a running/driving vehicle shipped there? would probably blow right through anything that looked like a budget.
Looking at the pics, the trunk cover looks like it could be rusty on the lip, rear bumper needs to be rechromed, p***. side rocker looks rusty. It looks like a project car.
check the trunk lid lip, the tailpan, rockers, lower body, and floor pans ( EMS is building new tailpans) the're hard to find. Cool cars other than that, lots of neat things going on with them. Thunder road man
I have owned both '57 and '58 models (same car. most parts will interchange). I still own 3 '58s. Some I had no rust issues and in some I had major rust issues. Floor pans, truck floor, lower rear quarter panels, rocker panels are places you would surely want to check. If the car is in decent running condition and minimum rust I think the $5000 is okay. These cars are getting more collectable every year. And by what I can see in the photo it is top on the line being a Fairlane 500 two-door hardtop. And most desirable by collectors. Only the Skyliner and Sunliner would be more collectable. I prefer the '58 because it was available with the first big block "FE" engines. Overall the mechanics for the '57 and '58 models were great. One thing to check - design problem with the oiling system for the 312. Listen closely to the valves. One solution was to run copper tubing form the oil pan the the valve covers. You will have no problems getting parts for the '57. Except for trim of course. That always have to be re-chromed or finding NOS.
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