Ford made the leap into the swoopy, finned auto styling world with their 1957 models. The entry level model was the Custom and for a base price of $1,991 with a 6 cyl it was the cheapest Ford of that model year. It was also a shorter and lighter model that, to the casual observer, looked like the high end Fairlane 500 model. The Custom was actually built on a different frame with d
ifferent wheelbase, 116” vs. 118”. The Custom was also shorter overall than the Fairlane models with 202” to 208”. Some of the body parts were different too; the rear fins were not as long and not as high. The Custom was naturally lighter and as such was used by racers of the time….both stock car and drag racing. It was also the vehicle of choice for Law Enforcement a
gencies. The Custom was also used t
o introduce a car/truck hybrid in 1957….the Ranchero. The custom line lasted through 1958 but in 1959 Ford had only one wheelbase, the longer 118”. Ford offered over 18 different models in ’57 including 2 & 4 door Customs, Fairlanes and wagons, the Thunderbird, the first retractables, the Ranchero and others. Ford had a total production run of 1,674,448 cars in 1957 and the 2 door Custom accounted for 116,963 of that total!
The horsepower race was intense
in 1957 and Ford offered many options to satisfy the gearheads of the time. The baseline 223 CID 6 Cyl had 144 hp. The V8’s included a 272 CID with 190 hp, a 292 CID with 212 hp, a 312 CID with 245 HP and a McColloch/ Paxton supercharged 312 CID making 300 hp. A dual 4 barrel version of the 312 cubic inch V8 rated at 270 HP was reportedly available. This "E code" option featured a unique camshaft, cylinder heads, intake manifold and various other performance improvements.
Larry was looking far
and wide for a ’57 Ford Custom in the late 90’s and kept coming up empty then in 2000 he found his ’57 five miles from his shop! The car was a basket case and for the next 6 years Larry accumulated all the necessary parts to complete his build. In a year Larry had assembled the car to its present condition and began driving it in 2007. Larry did all the work himself including the body work and the PPG 2 stage black paint. Larry’s sons own and operate Precisio
n Fiberglass and Body Repair LLC, which is the only people/place I’ll let work on the bodies of my hot rods. Their work is impeccable…. just like the black ’57 of their dad’s! The only thing Larry let others do was the interior…. Gary Elder of Lynchburg, VA stitched the interior including the Ford Taurus seats. Ford power is
provided by an Edelbrock 460 through a C-6 transmission to a 9” with 3:25 Posi. Larry has upgraded to 4 wheel disc brakes and rolls on 17” Billet Specialties wheels.
Larry and his drop dead gorgeous ’57 can be seen at most cruises and shows in and around Fredericksburg, VA. When you see this fine example of Virginia automobile craftsmanship, be sure to stop and talk with Larry about his pride and joy….be prepared to visit for a while!
ifferent wheelbase, 116” vs. 118”. The Custom was also shorter overall than the Fairlane models with 202” to 208”. Some of the body parts were different too; the rear fins were not as long and not as high. The Custom was naturally lighter and as such was used by racers of the time….both stock car and drag racing. It was also the vehicle of choice for Law Enforcement a
gencies. The Custom was also used t
o introduce a car/truck hybrid in 1957….the Ranchero. The custom line lasted through 1958 but in 1959 Ford had only one wheelbase, the longer 118”. Ford offered over 18 different models in ’57 including 2 & 4 door Customs, Fairlanes and wagons, the Thunderbird, the first retractables, the Ranchero and others. Ford had a total production run of 1,674,448 cars in 1957 and the 2 door Custom accounted for 116,963 of that total!The horsepower race was intense
in 1957 and Ford offered many options to satisfy the gearheads of the time. The baseline 223 CID 6 Cyl had 144 hp. The V8’s included a 272 CID with 190 hp, a 292 CID with 212 hp, a 312 CID with 245 HP and a McColloch/ Paxton supercharged 312 CID making 300 hp. A dual 4 barrel version of the 312 cubic inch V8 rated at 270 HP was reportedly available. This "E code" option featured a unique camshaft, cylinder heads, intake manifold and various other performance improvements.Larry was looking far
and wide for a ’57 Ford Custom in the late 90’s and kept coming up empty then in 2000 he found his ’57 five miles from his shop! The car was a basket case and for the next 6 years Larry accumulated all the necessary parts to complete his build. In a year Larry had assembled the car to its present condition and began driving it in 2007. Larry did all the work himself including the body work and the PPG 2 stage black paint. Larry’s sons own and operate Precisio
n Fiberglass and Body Repair LLC, which is the only people/place I’ll let work on the bodies of my hot rods. Their work is impeccable…. just like the black ’57 of their dad’s! The only thing Larry let others do was the interior…. Gary Elder of Lynchburg, VA stitched the interior including the Ford Taurus seats. Ford power is
provided by an Edelbrock 460 through a C-6 transmission to a 9” with 3:25 Posi. Larry has upgraded to 4 wheel disc brakes and rolls on 17” Billet Specialties wheels.Larry and his drop dead gorgeous ’57 can be seen at most cruises and shows in and around Fredericksburg, VA. When you see this fine example of Virginia automobile craftsmanship, be sure to stop and talk with Larry about his pride and joy….be prepared to visit for a while!
